Overnight Slime

 This slime mould appeared overnight on our new pond log

The next day it looked like this

and it became more pink as the hours went by (this is 2 hours later). This apparently happens as its reproductive structures mature.

Slime moulds! Phenomenal things - they can move as a creeping mass to hunt for food, consuming yeasts, bacteria, and fungal spores. They're not fungi, plant or animal - they're classified as protists.

Incy Wincy Spider

This helpful house spider does a good job of making itself look fearsome - total bluff, though, it's harmless. I love seeing the sparse hairs on its legs at (safe) close range. There are some beautiful markings on its abdomen too, and its arm-like mouthparts look like eyes on stalks.

Singing Praise

Yay! I have a working sewing machine again! And this modern one is for old people - it has an auto needle threader. I never knew there was such a thing, but man is it useful.

Torn towels have been strengthened, jeans have been patched and t-shirt holes fixed. Pity I had to do my curtains by hand, but never mind, it gave me something to do inside when it was raining back in May and June.

A Visit to Holyhead

Last week we took a scenic, rainy drive to 'kair-guh-bee,' (Caergybi, aka Cybi's fort), better known in the English-speaking world as Holyhead. In Roman times the town was called Sacrum Promentarium, which means ... Holyhead. It's perched off the Isle of Anglesey in the far northwest corner of Wales.

We didn't stop to do much sightseeing along the way because it looked like this:

The remains of the fort up on the hill

Typical Victorian era train station with a beautiful clock tower off to its left.

As you can see, it was a grey day

Ancient castellated wall

 

Modern castellated wall

The secret is out - I saw my Christmas presents on their way!