Category Archives: weather

Bees at St Nics

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It has been a warm and sunny week.
Bee Swarm at St Nics
People walking through the Abbey Gateway gave St Nicolas church a wide berth at lunchtime today.
Bee Swarm at St Nics
A swarm of bees looked to be setting up home and the air was full of them. Somebody said the bees had not been there five minutes before.
Bee Swarm at St Nics
I did ask at the district council whether their pest control people could take a quick look, but was told they don’t have a pest control department anymore.

Somebody else said they were probably mortar bees – not honey bees, and so their sting could not penetrate human skin.

Trees near water

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Strong Winds affected much of Abingdon on Monday and Tuesday. Branches and twigs were left strewn about, but as so often happens, the trees on soft land, near one or other of the rivers, fared worse.
Trees leaning
After the wind, along the Mill Stream, and the banks of the River Thames, some trees were left leaning at a greater angle,
Trees leaning
or even carried further from their original bank.
Trees leaning
One tree, covered in ivy, near the bottom of Healey Close, by the River Ock, had been toppled over.

Solar Eclipse in Abingdon

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Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
I was thinking it would be too overcast to see the eclipse. But soon after 9am a bright crescent sun could be seen through the clouds.
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
Other people, like me, took a break from work to enjoy what we have not seen in Abingdon since 1999.
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
At the Abbey Meadows a crowd had gathered.
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
The Abingdon Astonomical Society were there with telescopes and charts as part of the ATOM Science Festival.
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
It grew cooler and darker as the moon moved in front of the sun. Most of the time the eclipse could be seen through clouds – ideal viewing for those of us who were not properly prepared;
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
but then there were moments when the clouds opened and the special glasses became essential.
Solar Eclipse in Abingdon
Thanks to Peter from Abingdon Camera Club for sending me a final, extra clear, image.

A Spring-like Day

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A Spring-like Day
Today was the most spring-like day of the year so far. The Abbey Meadow’s play area attracted many young families, and the Ice Cream van was doing a good trade. Over the river the Abingdon Parkrun had the usual good turn out.
A Spring-like Day
Ruby’s Vintage Fair was in the Guildhall. They have one more visit on June 6th, and then are looking for a new venue on September 12th, when the Guildhall will be closed for the well publicised upgrade.
A Spring-like Day
The Close Care Home, from nearby Burcot, were raising money on the Market Place for Comic Relief (Friday 13th March) with a tennis ball operated ducking stool. Hit the target and a young lady got ducked.
A Spring-like Day
And The Broad Face re-opened…