Beware of the Black and Yellow

Bit of cherry makes a change from alder!

There are plenty of black and yellow caterpillars around - it's nature's way of telling predators "Don't eat me!" Wasps and bees sting, other creature bite or contain poison - or maybe they don't - but the birds and animals (and humans) don't want to take a chance! This is an Alder Moth caterpillar and, although they are widespread, they are apparently uncommon so I was lucky to see this one (on a cherry tree leaf not an alder!) at the back of West Cheshire College while taking Skip for our evening stroll a couple of weeks ago. 

And where do you think you're going?

Another evening walk we sometimes take is by the river past a house called 'Nowhere". The story goes that in the 1960's the Beatles were playing at a live venue in Chester - John Lennon happened to take a walk past this house and it inspired him to write the song "Nowhere Man"! Readers of this blog will know that I'm fond of linking apparently unconnected facts and those who follow the rock music scene closely may well have heard of the Bristol-based band "Tax the Heat" whose name comes from the lyrics of the George Harrison song "Taxman". And indeed the band were playing a couple of weeks ago at a live venue in Chester- and thanks to the fact that the bass player is the fiance of our niece Katy we were able to obtain tickets (with Katie's sister Lizzie Rose) to a fine gig (as concerts are known as in the 21st century!) Here Tax the Heat were supporting Ash - later this year they are on tour supporting Terrorvision - PLUG,  PLUG!

Go watch!