IIam village is the birthplace of Elon Musk, hence the full size replica of space X a local built in his honour in 1840.
James Boulter
@bpackingbongos.bsky.social
My passion is seeking out the remote seldom trod places. Backpacking and Wild Camping. Work in nature conservation. ME/CFS limits me these days.
A great view down into the Hamps valley, barely a soul about.
A cool, wet and breezy start to the day. Something I’ve not experienced for a while!
Stiles to nice places in the Peak District this afternoon.
We are currently in Crete where tomorrow it will be a couple of degrees cooler than back home in Nottingham. Heat is so much easier to deal with when you are near a beach and have crisp aircon in the hotel. Our house in Nottingham will be insufferably hot. Anyway, a photo from our balcony.
Rusty the Brachypelma auratum molted last weekend. Looking rather lovely in their brand new jumper. A leg span of 9cm now. A couple more days and they can have their first post molt dinner.
A very pleasant short stroll yesterday through the Heddon Valley to Heddon’s Mouth Beach. It was lovely to sit for a while on the beach listening to the hypnotic sound of the waves. Followed by a good lunch in the Hunter’s Inn.
A late afternoon walk up Great & Little Hangman Hills from Combe Martin. The highest point on the South West Coast path at 318 metres, a fair climb from sea level! I took an old mine path around the back to the highest sea cliff in England and Wales at 244 metres. Superb scenery.
Pitched last night at 2000ft on the North Pennine moors. First time out out since September last year. A beautiful day of crisp blue skies. Warm sunshine in the valley and a cold biting wind up high. The sound of Curlew, lapwing and skylarks this morning.
A couple of weeks ago I got a Avicularia avicularia (Guyana Pinktoe tarantula). It’s a fairly small arboreal species and this one has around a 5 inch leg span. She’s settling in well and has just started webbing up her enclosure. She’s an absolute beauty, and so far appears nice and gentle.
The ford on the minor road up to Tissington had a large volume of water today. Watched a 4x4 cross but wouldn’t it attempt in a normal car.
Sitting having lunch in the sun and if it wasn’t was the wind it would feel rather spring like.
A lovely blue sky and crisp snowy day on Kinder Scout yesterday. Got the train to Edale for a change. The train, Edale and Kinder were all very busy with folk enjoying the first nice day of the year.
A new addition to our household. He / she is a juvenile Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame knee Tarantula). Small at around 5cm, but over the next few years could grow up to 15cm. Currently on the side of its enclosure watching me work…
Jet lag at this time of year is less that ideal. Been up since 5am and sunrise is still a few hours away. Really feels like the middle of the night!
An evening stroll around a Bangkok park. Loads of people out jogging, using the gym equipment, and there was even a free open air aerobics class taking place. Such a difference to the UK where you’d likely be mugged entering a city park after dark.
Old vs modern. The view from our Bangkok hotel room.
A very pleasant early morning walk. Happy Xmas all.
The ‘bum gun’. Why are these not a thing in the west? I have to admit that after a couple of weeks in Thailand I’m a big fan. I don’t think my bum has ever been so squeaky clean. If you had poo on your face would you wipe it off with toilet paper or wash it off?
A lovely peaceful 24 hours at a remote homestay on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National park. Just the sounds of birds and buffalo.
Young water buffalo. The owner had a close eye on mum who was having a bath nearby.
A few days spent around the village of Baan Krood. Mass tourism has yet to arrive in this part of Thailand. Deserted beaches and a general laid back atmosphere.
A visit to Ao Siam National Park this afternoon to walk its nature trail. Entrance was free and we were the only visitors which was nice. Despite smothering ourselves with half a bottle of mozzie spray we both ended up covered in bites. Some impressive 150ft+ trees.
