Chris Squire of Yes sudden death.

 Chris Squire passed on Sunday after a brief battle with a rare form of leukemia.
This is a tragic loss, he was one of the greatest bass players in the world. Part of my growing up was shared with Yes playing on the turntable and saw them many times. The first time at Manchester University before even their first album had come out. Me and my friends got to speak to some of the band, including Chris who was very friendly. Even then knew they were destined for greatness. Days later I ordered the first album and still love it to this day. RIP Chris.

Skirr Cottage Diary.

I love walking my local patch which, is basically the Old Road leading onto the moor. It is an isolated area with great views back over the town of Buxton and perhaps not the most productive area when it comes to birds and wildlife compared to more sheltered and wooded areas but sometimes it can surprise you; perhaps a short-eared owl or raven, nearly always curlew in spring and early summer. Today I decided to sit on a steep bank overlooking a small stream and was rewarded with the sound of a dipper. It did not take me too long to locate a pair of busy dippers taking food under an old concrete waterfall where they obviously had a domed nest full of hungry young. The stream is virtually on the moor so this find came as a pleasant surprise.