Peacock

Here's a piccie of one of the peacock butterflies we recorded at Battle Great Woods on Saturday. I took a whole load of shots because the butterfly was being very helpfull and sticking around the same patch of flowers - a few of them came out well but I like this one best because you can zoom in and see lots of detail - I never noticed the lovely pattern at the top of the wings just either side of the body before.

April butterflies

Did our first butterfly monitoring of the year at Battle Woods on sunday. Saw Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Commas. Matt got three Commas together in one net swoop, but they were a bit too warm and lively for a decent photo, so here's one from the mothership.

Dr Aileen Smith

I just read my Aberystwyth University e-mail newsletter and saw with great sadness that my 2nd year tutor Dr Aileen Smith has just died. She was a wonderful, warm tutor and lead the plant biology trip to the Picos in Spain that is one of my best memories of my time as a student. She also wrote the reference that secured my place on my PGCE teacher training course after I finished my degree. Her university obituary is at : http://www.aber.ac.uk/aberonline/en/archive/2009/12/au21409/

My thoughts are with her friends and family. She will be greatly missed.

Oliver James

Ollie has arrived. Born at 11.17pm on monday 16th November weighing 8lb 14oz. Spent the first few days in SCBU but we got let home on friday. Very contented baby - life consists of sleeping, eating and peeing on Matt during every nappy change. Tiger showing little interest - babies are no fun until they're tall enough to reach the biscuit tin for him :)

Halloween Tiger

Tiger ready to leap into action and greet the Trick-or-treaters. 10 minutes after this photo was taken he was fast asleep, still wearing the hat.

Wedding photo from February

Finally got around to putting a wedding photo on here - it's only been eight months :)

Changes

This has been a year of big changes. Got married in february then found out we were expecting the patter of little feet in March (wedding baby). Little Ollie James will be arriving in mid November if all goes well :) Matt's told everyone we're going to call him 'Tiger 2' after the dog. I'm not sure we're mature enough to be parents.

Wedding

The day is nearing. Less than two weeks until we tie the knot. I got a lovely white silk halter neck wedding dress from Monsoon and Matt has even agreed to wear a waistcoat and cravatt with his new weddings and funerals suit. Unfortunately it doesn't look like the registry office will let Tiger be best man ;) Wish us fair weather :)