In a break with tradition, we didn’t go to Flying Legends: Duxford. Shame really, it would have been good- They have a FW190 taking part in the show.
5 Signets, gone- to join the bigger flocks I expect.
Heracleum mantegazzianum: "Giant Hogweed" found at the edge of a drainage ditch near Market Bosworth.

It stands about twice my height, and is furiously poisonous I am told. It has this strange property where the sap, if it gets onto skin is toxic in the presence of daylight- phototoxicity. The scarring can be permanent or even lethal.

Another shot for scale.

Cynet reports: Looking strong, but one fewer. Oh well, that’s why the pen laid six I s’pose.

I done got me a tent too, yeah!

How the weather changes the way people drive- I got annoyed crossing lights (on green) to be startled by a car shooting out from the right driven by a woman who jumped a red light. I shouted out as two cars blasted their horns too. After another incident caused by driver arrogance (the car blocked the traffic while turning onto the main road) it was then fairly conclusive that the heat is making folks feel rather bad tempered. Me included- these kinds of thoughtless driving incidents happen a lot in Walsall.
I suspect that habits spread in towns so that drivers copy each others’ bad habits. In Walsall it’s jumping red lights; in Cannock, Signalling right to go straight-on at a roundabout; Lichfield, crossing the opposing carriageway on corners. Bad habits appear to be infectious rather like apostrophe abuse.
[/end of rant]

On the commute to work: I went through a speed trap at 34 mph, but it didn’t trigger the camera- no flash. Was the camera’s trigger set just a bit higher- say 35mph, or did I not reflect enough for the radar? Perhaps if I put s length of baking foil up my cycling jersey, then the camera should trip. I’m not a stealth cyclist.

Lost: I lost Rosie tonight.Out for a 40′ walk in the woods and then an hour to search for my missing dog. By the time she came back she was obviously stressed and relieved. And so was I.
She’s back home now, worn-out and thirsty. I blame the rabbits, and they look so innocent too.
Now what has happened to my voice, it’s all hoarse & dry.

That empty-legs feeling: a conversation has confirmed what I suspected was the reason for this. Occasionally, cycle rides need ot be cut short because there just isn’t enough energy in my legs (my whole body really). Now I am willing to air my suspicion. This weekend, I simply haven’t eaten well enough, noodles just aren’t good enough to cycle on. This evening, I had pasta and suddenly the energy game gushing back.

Two photos from today’s cycle ride.
Remember that swan nuclear family I posted a few Sundays ago. Well, haven’t they grown?
I got resolutely hissed at by this swan. I don’t blame her, so I backed off.. She was guarding the same number of cygnets that I counted two weeks ago

The 48-tree. Taken from the road overlooking the Staunton Harold estate. Can you see it, or am I just stretching my credibility.

Cycling, have you ever bought an artwork while cycling. I have, or may have if I can pull this one off. I spotted an art sale when riding through Repton, two pictures stood out and the price seemed reasonable.

 http://smg.photobucket.com/flash/player.swf?file=http://vidmg.photobucket.com/albums/v411/EssieP/Blogging/DSCF0822.flv

Here is one very poorly looking rape field. Some patches were normal looking but acres & acres look dry, brown dusty and quite dead.