Eco Holidays

posted by Catherine on Aug 12

My Eco Adventures Review:  A Visit To Woods Mill - West Sussex - Summer 2010

Woods Mill is the Head Quarters of the Sussex Wildlife Trust and is based at the foot of the South Downs.  I went for a visit here as I love the Downs and chalkland wildlife - and I am on a mission to learn to identify more local plants and animals. 

And Woods Mill in summer has plenty to offer!

My Walk:
Arriving at the reserve was easy and there was ample parking when I arrived - and clean toilets after a long drive are always a bonus!

The reserve is free to all visitors and entry to the site is over a lovely old bridge with views of the historic water mill that gives the reserve its name.  There are already enough insects here to keep me busy with the ID guide!

There were damselflies and dragonflies everywhere - although I still can’t really tell them apart unless they come close!

A Male Ruddy Darter?

The reserve is criss-crossed with man-made waterways - both wet and dry - where in the past the mill was working and the landowner wanted to make a feature of the land.  There are large concrete areas cutting up the coppiced woodland as well as some delightful ‘ruins’ from a long forgotten folly meant to adorn the site!

There is however, a very well stocked large lake close to the entrance as well as a smaller dipping pond - which is currently filled to the brim with newts!  Both are surrounded by lush vegetation humming with insect life.

Needless to say there were school groups making the most of this varied nature reserve.  The SWT run educational groups from reception through to Adult Education on site.  Whether it’s pond dipping, woodland walks, wildlife surveying courses or photography - it’s all here! 

There aren’t many flowers in the shaded areas on site (apart from the bluebell woods), but the many woodland paths and willow structures certainly add something at every turn.  Rows of tree-trunk seating for story telling, and bug houses and composting too.

Live Willow Building

Coming out the other side there is a large meadow with plant life to suggest a wet past!  There is currently a very small but very deep river gully cutting through it’s centre and a whole host of swallows and swifts feeding high up above.

There is a small secluded bluebell woods to the side - but it is currently ‘out of bounds’ to visitors - however the owl box to the front shows that there is no shortage of wildlife in it!

Across the top is the man-made feeder stream directly to the mill - although it is virtually dried up here due to lack of incoming water from the Downs.  On the other side is a grass meadow, with wildflowers reaching up to knee-height and hedgerows filled with calling birds - including the locally common nightingales!

As we had brought a packed lunch, we found a bench by the lake and enjoyed being in the middle of such a peaceful habitat and surrounded by insects and birds!

I certainly wore out the insect and plant guide books during our 4 hour stay - and the camera didn’t have a quiet day either!

Definitely worth another visit!

Site Name: Woods Mill Nature Reserve - Sussex Wildlife Trust
This reserve is located in West Sussex just to the south of Henfield in Small Dole on the A2037.  It is located at the foot of the South Downs and inside the South Downs National Park boundary and is in the Adur Valley.

It is free entry for everyone, the car park is easy to find and access - and the site has nice clean toilets!

posted by Catherine on Aug 4

You and you kids could help spread the word about green travel by entering these 3 competitions!

The best way to pass on information about something you are passionate about is to put pen to paper, talk to them about them or capture the image - and this is just what these competitions could help you to do.

The first is for under 18 year olds still in education and revolves around the future of forests, the second is for those over 18 about your most memorable travel moment, and the final competition is for you both to show what you see in the environment!

Young Geographer Of The Year 2010:
Have you got something to say about he way we are treating our forests?  About what your local woodland does for your community, your family or the local wildlife? Or just something to say in praise of trees!

Whatever your motivation for entering - it doesn’t matter - it’s what you have to say that counts.

And how you say it is up to you: written, taped, a short documentary or video, photographs - or a combination of whatever media you think will best pass on your meaning to others!

Monkey Running From A Storm

There are 3 different categories depending on your age, and the closing date is October 2010.

PureTravel Writing Competition 2010:
Is there something you want to share with the world that you can tell them in under 500 words?  Something amazing that silenced you?  Something disastrous that made you speak up?

Something with some serious meaning that you think could impress the readers and judges and make a difference to your local area, some distant landscape, an endangered species or a threatened community - or just a funny story that you just can’t forget?

All articles will appear on the PureTravel website and the judges will pick 10 for the public to vote on before choosing a winner!  And your prize could be the inspiration for another great adventure!

WWT Photographic Competition 2010:
Take a moment to visit a wetland centre and try to capture what wildlife means to you today.

Whether it is a close up or a rare animal, a new way of looking at something we think we know so well - or to capture that strange moment in your life that might never be found again!

There are plenty of categories this year - including one that doesn’t have to have been taken in a WWT centre - so there is hope for everyone!  All ages, all themes, all places!

Whichever one you enter - I’m sure you will feel that yours is good enough to be a winner, and why not?  Every experience is real and can make a difference at different levels - whether it’s just in the way we think about things - or whether we manage to change other peoples way of thinking too!

Good Luck!

posted by Catherine on Jun 13

That just means taking part in a butterfly counting survey to assess the surrounding environment!

A few months ago there was a nighttime lepidoptera survey taking account of local moths - but now the daytime equivalent is approaching - and a lot more people can join in!

All you have to do is go sit in your garden, a local park, national park or nearby woodland and watch the butterflies passing by!  You can even do this on a walk in the countryside or along a riverbank and count the butterflies that you pass by!  Sir David Attenborough will be taking part too - as will Alan Titchmarsh!

It takes place in the height of summer (24th July - 1st August) as most of the native butterflies are in their adult form at that time - and the bright sunshine is what makes them active!  This gives you plenty of time to learn to id British butterflies before the survey…..

Step 1:
So to get prepared - go to their website and download yourself a butterfly identification sheet to show the most common butterflies that you will encounter on the count.

By learning these few, it will help you to better participate in the count as many butterflies look very similar to others unless they land closeby to you and hold their wings open until you have a good look!

By looking out for these species in advance of the count you will have learnt to identify some of the more common types in advance, so you can focus on learning many more species.  If you just turn up on the day with the id sheet, you won’t be able to give as good results as if you had put in a bit of advance research!

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Step 2:
Read the Butterfly Conservation website for great advice about butterflies, moths and our environment.  They believe that these creatures react very quickly to environmental changes and so can be seen as a great indicator or environmental change - hence the survey.

Butterflies are plant specific in that the adults feed (mainly) on one plant species, and their young will feed (mainly) on another single species - and this is where they lay their eggs.  Therefore if certain plants are becoming rarer or more abundant in response to changing habitats, industrial pollution or the effects of changing climate - these species will have to move from one region to another.

By mapping these movements and general trends over time, they will be able to monitor such national changes and try to see if there are any changes we could make to reverse or encourage such trends.

Step 3:
The count itself takes place between the given dates and you can do as many counts you want in that time and in as many different locations as well. 

This means that you can not only help out with the research by submitting more than 1 set of results, but that you can take your new found identification skills out to new habitats to see - and identify - as many different butterfly species as possible.

For example; sitting in my mum’s garden I mainly see speckled woods, in my sisters garden it is large whites and on the South Downs it is peacocks and small tortoiseshells!  It all depends on the proximity of their food and egg plants in the main - and by finding an established sallow plantation (and a lot of luck I am told) I saw my first purple emperor!

Anyway - record your sightings during just a 15 minute period at any time throughout the survey week following the guidelines on the website, and then you have up until the end of August 2010 to submit your results on the website form online.

Step 4:
Now you know how to identify some common butterfly species - why not take part in other surveys in your area for the Butterfly Conservation Trust or other local or national groups?

Any by finding their associated plants you could then learn more about their habitats and start to become involved at a local nature reserve surveying plants as well.  It take time to get to learn identification skills - so you need to get lots of practice.

And once you have the skills - why not put them to good use?

posted by Catherine on May 22

We all know that 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity - so what’s special about today?

International Year of Biodiversity is a time where huge projects can be started, or completed. Many projects across the world take years and years of planning and can take up to 15 years to start to become effective - and according to climate change experts: we don’t have much time left.

So the idea of this ‘year’ is to highlight the need for research into biodiversity and the beginnings of a change in the way that we deal with climate change, extinctions and the environment as a whole.

So Why The ‘Day’?
Well, the day of Biodiversity is a time where ordinary people like you and you family can become involved in something much bigger without having to devote months of your life to field research, and without cracking out the cheque book!

Events across the world have been organised for today that involve the very simplest of events such as pond dipping - to show you what actually lives there; through woodland creation - to help what is already there; right up to scientific meeting and lectures discussing everything on the world agenda.

So today you could be introducing your friends and family to the whole diverse world out there - and hopefully making a difference to their future.

And What About Tomorrow?
Well, the future isn’t looking like it’s going to be as good as it has been in terms of many weather related things, such as farming and soil fertility.

I mean many people think of ‘bio-diversity’ as being about all the amazing wild animals and plants that we love to see in parks and zoos - but diversity also means in terms of ‘boring’ plants and animals too.

Take for example the ability of wheat to grow in certain weather conditions, and we all know that rice needs water to grow - but the weather could change all that and make these crops very difficult to grow in the huge amount that we currently do. So we need a diverse range of crop plants to take their place when we start to get short. If it’s to dry to grow rice - we need to find something that we can grow instead!

Then think about all the thousands of different bugs and creepy crawlies that live in the earth and under rocks and even feeding on other dead animals - we need thousands of them to get the job done! If not then the soil loses it’s fertility and we will be surrounded by dead animals and plants, festering in the sun!

The more species that become extinct, the less chance we and the planet has of finding a solution to our problems - whenever the arise. For example, imagine you have a serious disagreement with one mobile phone company - you can currently just go and use another one; there are plenty to choose from today.

But what if there was only that one phone company? What if you had to put up with their charges or go without a phone?

This is the scenario that many of our animals face today - and more will so in the future. If they can’t find the food type or the habitat or the nesting site that the need to survive - they will have only 1 choice: Move on and hope to find it elsewhere - or die.

Your Actions:
However you can stop this - in both the example and in real life.

If you make sure that there is always a vast array of choices for both your family and the wildlife in the world - then there will always be a second, third, fourth or fifth choice. So when species are faced with the effects of climate change or the results of human encroachment, they can evolve a different way to deal with it - like eating berry B instead of the usual berry A.

And we all know that when something is the only thing left - it will be in demand (it’s scarcity value) - and then it becomes very expensive and very difficult to get your hands on.

So by keeping the world rich in choices and full of variety - there will always be a fair spread for everyone involved. This is what sustainability is all about - and it can make a huge difference to humans and the environment.

So think about that today: Biodiversity Day

posted by Catherine on May 13

There is a very unusual evening event taking place across the UK - but are you too squeamish?

This event focuses on those sometimes scary and often unwanted nighttime moths - but if you read more about them, you will find that they have much to offer your garden and the environment.  And you may even get to like them after this!

The event has been running since 1999, and takes place on a date where the conditions should be best for moths to be out hunting.  This year is falls on the night of May 15th - and there are events all over the country that you could become a part of.

The Event:
Run by the Butterfly Conservation Trust (BCT), this annual event allows you experience the world of moths when they are at their best, and to help the trust to identify species distribution and any new arrivals in the country - for example in 2008 a species was found in Ireland that hadn’t been seen in the UK ever before!

However 62 moth species became extinct in Britain during the 20th century - so it’s not always good news!

This year though, is the first time that the BCT are teaming up with the Bat Conservation Trust (confusingly also the BCT - so BatCT for this article).  As bats are also found hunting at night (mainly the moths you are trying to record!), it seemed the best use of resources to get the people who were already out at dusk counting moths to record and bat activity they saw at the same time.

This extends the nighttime adventures you could have!  Whether you are aiming to just watch from inside you home at the creatures who fly up to your lights, whether you want to head out into the woods and set overnight (live) traps or whether you want to join a group bat watch and get to use their specialised equipment to hear their communications.  It’s up to you!

There are 16 species of bat to be found in Britain - and they all feed on moths!

Habitat Change:
However, as the bats feed on the moths and other insects, they are just as much at threat to land use changes.  This includes your gardens and local parks and woodlands. 

If plants are cleared for driveways and decking replaces grass, there is less food for the insects and less nesting sites for their young - like caterpillars.  Caterpillars need to eat plants when they are growing - and they eat a lot, so rather than only having delightfully ornamental plants in your garden for your own pleasure - make sure there are some local plants still around that they can use to grow and breed.

That way, when they start to eat through young plants, you won’t be tempted to use chemical to keep them away.  And their prefered plants are often fast-growing native plants that can be planted away from your favourites!

The same goes for ponds and other waterways.  Bats are commonly associated with water as well, as many insects lay their eggs in or around water and as they hatch - along come the bats for a feast!

Counting Them:
Take a look at the event website for details on local events or how to make your observations count - and how to download your photos of the event.

You don’t need to buy any special equipment to take part - unless you are very enthusiastic - but there are some easy home-made ways to trap moths of all sizes.  And some are truly beautiful to look at - not all of them are brown or grey!  Take the Elephant Hawk Moth - it’s pink and lime green and a good size!

photo credit: Wm Jas

There are obviously many tips on how to make the night a success - and you never know, you may well find a new species along the way!

posted by Catherine on May 4

If you live in California, or a planning a trip there in the next week - then look this place up.

Basically, it is a huge celebration of the landscapes, natural heritage, wildlife and rich native culture, across a huge area of the state; including walks, sea kayaking, very early birding tours and heritage trails from coast to mountain top!

There are areas of land here that can almost take you back in time to a place where humanity hasn’t interfered. A place where native Americans still practice their way of life, whether it’s salmon fishing or kayaking through their land and hunting.

The rivers run free here - and virtually untouched by dams and pollution. There are also large patches of land that are home to some very endangered species - both large and small - as well as hummingbirds, frogs and condors! Out at sea there is ample chance to see whales and dolphins as well!

The Festival 2010:
There are 69 events in total over the Friday thru Monday morning festival days, and there are plenty of experts on hand to to run workshops, run tours and offer hands-on advice.

The areas covered in this festival are wide reaching and include Redwood National & State Park, Smith River National Recreation Ground and Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge amongst many others.

And in fact it was the Castle Rock refuge that is the predescesser of this event as this refuge is home to hundreds of migrating Aleutian Geese - which formed The Aleutian Goose Festival.

What’s There?
Firstly the event will be host to it’s keynote speaker: Micheal Fay (from National Geographic) on the Friday evening, as well as offering up a whole host of active biologists, geologists, ornithologists and foresters to help you explore all the available habitats.

Whether you are studying earthquakes and owls, ecology and salamanders or condors and giant redwoods - there will be plenty of time available for you to explore and learn to work with and love these precious habitats and their vital biodiversity.

And all this in your own back yard!

Getting There:
All events are based at or start from the Crescent City Cultural Center in northern California, although some leave before 5am!

You need to register for the event and pay a 1-off fee, but this includes the keynote speech and Friday night reception - as well as all the free events and the meet-and-greet.

There is of course no way that you could attend all 69 events anyway - so make sure you take a look at the schedule of events and get your moneys worth - and really get ‘inside’ this amazing habitat in the US.

Anything Else?
As if this wasn’t enough, the festival coincides with the International Migratory Bird Day (May 8th), and is a celebration of all migratory bird species for North, Central & South America - certainly a huge event to be incorporated into this annual wildlife festival.

posted by Catherine on Feb 27

That’s exactly what the National Trust in the UK are offering to everyone who fancies it!

They are opening up all their sites for 2 days this month with no entry fee - that’s a saving of up to £15 a person at the larger sites, so well worth investigating.

Check your diary for Saturday the 20th of March and Sunday the 21st - and make sure they are free!

Many of the larger properties have huge grounds for you to explore - and some even have their own deer herds…..

There are great lakes, hidden follies, secret churches, trout-filled streams, rose gardens, miles of glass houses and acres of woodland walks - and that’s just a few of the things you can find with the National Trust.

And the fact that they have properties all over the country means that you don’t need to travel too far to make the most of their offer either.  You could be just a few miles away from something magnificent!

So, here are a few of the best sites, and the normal price for 2 adults and 2 children under 16 - kids under 5 are usually free (but do check for exact prices for your group before you go!).

Wakehurst Place - West Sussex: (Family: £22.70)

This huge landscape is also the home of Kew Gardens Millennium Seed Bank, and also has plants from around the world in distinct gardens.

A family could spend hours walking through the pine woodlands or along the scary limestone ‘wall’ where trees have grown almost out of the very rock itself!  There are great water worlds and a few bird hides too.

The Japanese garden is a delight and there is a wonderful walled garden to explore for the adults - and of course you can all marvel at the amazing challenge of collecting every single seed from every single plant from every country in the world!

Stourhead - Wiltshire: (Family: £18.30)

This world-famous 2,650 acre landscape is set within it’s own valley and has miles and miles of chalkland trails - including 2 iron age hill forts - and has a view over 3 counties.

With a huge lake, classic temples and follies with many rare and exotic trees to discover, this could be a great place to wear out the kids whilst learning about some unusual and totally native plants and habitats.

St Micheal’s Mount - Cornwall: (Family: £21.75)

Take your kids to the most amazing place on the south coast - well actually, just off the south coast - this place is an island.

However, there is no boat involved - you have to walk across the sea floor at low tide to get to the island - and be off before you get wet feet!

There is a cobbled causeway (covered in crabs and seaweed) leading up to the gates of this property, and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore inside.  A castle with narrow passages dominates the island and the house, monastery ruins and church can fill the rest of your day.

Have a look at all their sites on the website and see if something appeals to you and your family - you need a voucher for the free admission - so don’t forget to print it out before you go!

posted by Catherine on Feb 22

Your dog walk in the woods could be doing the ecosystem serious damage!

Dogs are the cause of a lot of damage to wild areas, cause the deaths and injuries of many mammals, birds and fish and can actually be responsible for making species locally extinct!

Don’t forget that domestic dogs are not part of the natural habitat, they are a pest to the natural way of things.  Wild animals see them as a predator and run away, and predators can pass on or catch viruses and other illnesses off our pets.

And of course - there are far to many of them in one place!  If a piece of woodland becomes a busy dog-walking site - then it will be goodbye to the wildlife.

So, here are a few tips to help make sure that your dog doesn’t become an eco disaster in your local woods and heaths, or to wild places you visit on your holidays.

1) Loiter Around The Car Park
By hanging around the car park when you arrive in a wild area, you will know exactly when and where your dog relieves himself and then be able to clear it away and most poo bins are located here too.  Dog feces in woodlands isn’t a natural or beneficial thing, and it can spread diseases to wildlife, other dogs and to humans.

2) Carry An Airtight Container
Always have poop bags and an airtight container in your car, so that if there isn’t a poo bin at the site (which is likely in remote locations) you can take yours away.  And don’t pick up your dogs feces in a plastic bag and then leave it there!  This is even worse than not picking it up in the first place!

3) Train Your Dog:
By making sure that your dog responds to your basic commands instantly, you can really enjoy wild places without the worry of your pet injuring or killing wildlife.  If you can see your dog is stalking something, you can instantly give your command and the situation is over.

4) Use A Long or Extending Leash:
If you are not sure of your ability to control your dog, then make sure you keep it on a lead.  That way they can still experience the scents of wildlife without any risk to it, and you can explore an new environment too.

5) Plan Your Route:
By making sure you visit the information board of the place you are visiting, you will be able to see the best or recommended route for dog walkers.  These routes don’t mean that you can only go that way, they mean that if the hundreds of dog walkers all went the same route, then other paths, delicate habitats and wildlife-filled locations are less disturbed.

6) Learn About Local Species:
If you know when certain wild animals are migrating through an area, when ground-nesting birds are at risk and when young animals are first exploring their new home - you can avoid taking your dog there.  If you (along with a high percentage of other dog walkers) could limit their access during these times - species could be encouraged and saved from needless harm.

7) Stick To The Paths:
If you head off anywhere you want, you could be damaging delicate plants or scaring off other animals.  The paths are usually there as they are the best route to use, and sticking to them will limit your impact on the environment.  Once you trample a route - others might follow - making it permanent.  But it could pass close to a badger, fox or other nest area that will no doubt have to be abandoned if the ‘people’ traffic increases.

Dogs and wildlife can exist in harmony - but it is up to their owners to make this happen.  So it’s down to you!

posted by Catherine on Jan 21

Get away from the snow and step into a heated haven - filled with free flying butterflies!

RHS Wisley in Surrey, England, is cramming it’s huge glasshouses with butterflies from around the world to make a magical spectacle of colour.

The huge glasshouses cover an area the size of 10 tennis courts, according to their website, and it is already filled with wonderful temperate, tropical and desert living plants.  All these plants are arranged on different levels, with a root section underground for you to explore as well.

With waterfeatures, orchids, ferns, cactus and passion flower curtains - the glasshouse will be a perfect habitat for butterflies to reside.  They will be able to act as though they were in their natural habitats, so you will see them chasing each other around, feeding, and just resting on leaves - basking in the sun (hopefully).

There will be species from all over the world - including the huge Blue Morpho, one of the largest butterflies in the world which flies like a piece or fine tissue paper on a gentle breeze.  A real sight to behold.  I recently saw them flying free whilst in Costa Rica - and it is certainly something I want to see again!

The Theme:
Butterfly Conservation (a UK charity) are helping to arrange this event in Wisley, and it’s focus is to be on native species here in the UK.  There will be experts from the charity on site to answer your questions and help you to identify species that you have seen in your gardens over the past year.

There will be displays throughout the centre, filled with information on plants that butterflies need to lay their eggs on, plants that the young caterpillars feed on and all sorts of tips for vreating a wildlife haven for them in your own back yard.

Butterflies make up a really important part of your gardens ecosystem, with the caterpillars feeding a whole host of garden birds and their spring chicks, and the adult butterflies are essential pollinaters for many British plants - not to mention a lovely sight in the wilflower meadows!

It won’t be long now until the spring brings out some early butterflies, and they want to encourage you to be ready for them.  So there will be recommended plants to help them feed, plants to help them breed, and plants for their offspring to eat!

It’s also the time of year to start paying attention to the garden again - as things you plant now will be in full flower for the summer - perfect for these chaps!

The Site:
RHS Wisley is a huge outdoor wonderland with plenty to do outside of the glasshouses. So, if you only spend an hour or two inside - there will be plenty to keep you busy across the rest of the extensive site.

There is the never-ending orchards, the fruit gardens, vegetable plots and greenhouses and many many more sights to get you inspired for your own eco adventures back home.

The library, garden centre, field trials (row upon row of magnificent plant varieties hoping to achieve accreditation), landscape sculptures, the ornate water features, rock garden, maze and woodland paths. It is going to be a fun packed day out.

And the more people you go with - the cheaper it is to get in, and kids uner 6 are free anyway - so get your friends and family together and book a great day out with a difference!

Last time I went, I didn’t make it around in one day - so what a great excuse to go back!

posted by Catherine on Jan 16

Take a break in the countryside and leave the car at home - 4 legs is all you need!

There are thousands of places across the globe that specialise in horse riding holidays where you turn up and saddle up!

Some are only a few days long and others can last a week or two.  Others just keep coming back to the same place every night, and others trek across vast wildernesses like Patagonia, Canada and Mongolia.

You can do it for pleasure, to learn a new skill or to raise money for charity - but you can do it!

Eco Friendly Transport!
You can cover more distance on a horse when you want to explore and they don’t churn out dangerous emissions and use up valuable gas!

Once you have arrived at the farm or ranch, you can relax and slip into a different world for your vacation.

Instead of sight-seeing in a town or city where you have to drive around to get to anything, you can just walk outside of your lodge and meet your partner.

Even if you want to travel many miles, it will only cost you a few swigs of water to get you there and back!

Reach Those Difficult Places:
Also on horseback you will be able to travel to those places where 4 heels just can’t fit, like up a mountain pass to see a magnificent sunset, or down steep valley sides to get to the isolated waterfall.

And being high up offers you views you might not see on your own 2 feet!

Horse trails use up far less land than car trails - and no trees need to be pulled down to make a road, or habitats destroyed to cater for wider vehicles.

Riding through the landscape therefore has much less of an impact than other forms of transport and it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the whole experience more - as you don’t need to watch your step - the horse does that!

You can watch the landscape change colour in the sunlight, observe the colourful wildlife and birds pass you by - even if they are behind you.  Just hold on to the saddle and enjoy the ride!

Next Holiday?
So next time you are thinking of taking a short break close to home, or farther afield - why not consider a horseback one?

You don’t need to be an experienced rider either - unless you are hoping to ride up an active volcano - there are plenty of riding centers that take on complete beginners right up to regular riders.  Just make sure the school know your real level before you book.

I once went on a ride for the day and when we started galloping along the beach the chap behind me started making a lot of noise!  When we all stopped to find out what happened he said he had only ever walked on a horse before.  He put down that he was ‘experienced’ because he had ridden a horse that was walking loads of times!  He wasn’t experienced in the right sense - and it nearly lost him his saddle!

So, Tally-Ho I say!