29th December

Finally got back out on the moors today, highlights being 1 Hen Harrier, 6 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels, 2 Ravens, 1 Crossbill and a Woodcock on the way home.

New old toy

After last weeks Uli Roth gig the old six string as been back in action, even got the cry baby wah wah pedal fixed. Last few days just kept getting wet out birding with not much to see. Then my brother knocks on the door, do you want my old record player, amp and speakers, you bet, haven't had one for a very long time and was thinking of selling all my old records. First one on the deck was an Uli Roth Electric Sun album from 1981, then Black Sabbaths 1975 album Sabotage which sounds amazing, followed by Wishbone Ashes New England record from 76, the bass playing on this records sounds fantastic, last as its 43 years to the month since Tommy Bolin died I put on Deep Purples 1975 album Come Taste the Band, you can tell the influence of Glenn Hughes on this one. Hello Neighbours pay back for your effing dog barking for all those years.

7th December

Hen Harrier survey weekend. We had our old friend Mirlander today plus a second bird seen earlier on at another location. Not much else happening except for 5 Herring Gulls.

Uli Jon Roth gig

Uli Jon Roth or Ulric Roth gig last night in Bradford. Didn't know what to expect as he is known to do two sets, one heavy rock and the other classical IE Vivaldi played on the Guitar instead of the Violin, sometimes he mixes both into his set. Tonight it was all about rock music with no classical music at all. What a treat his playing was just fantastic, one of the best Ive ever seen, he started with two tracks from his Electric Sun albums back from 79 - 80, Indian Dawn off Firewind was incredible, ive waited along time to hear that played live. Next he went through his Scorpion days the highlight being Pictured Life off the Virgin Killer album. He finished off with some Hendrix, all along the Watch Tower and a brilliant version of Little Wing. He had a great band with him some new others I think he has used before, the female singer I think was with him years ago on the G3 tours. All together a brilliant night out, it was just a shame the audience was so few, there must have only been 150 people there, but 150 lucky people. Net years he's doing a one man all classical show, might go to that also.