Comments for robzlog & robznov

Comment on Moody Blues’ Octave remastered worth the 31-year wait by robz

robz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:25:19 +0000

Thanks, Lindsay. Only started seeing them in 1979/80, but they are my all-time favourite band too. Always wishing for new recordings, but looks unlikely as time goes by . . .

Comment on Moody Blues’ Octave remastered worth the 31-year wait by Lindsay Collier

Lindsay Collier — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:37:07 +0000

Hi Robert

Just browsing on New Year’s Eve & found your comments on the Moodies! As a Brummie I was bought up on them ( well from the age of about 13) I saw them play live numerous times & always found them a totally magical experience. My all time favourite band I’m unable to choose a favourite album as they all contain brilliant tracks! I haven’t got the remastered album so that will have to be a New Year’s resolution!

regards Lindsay

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by Jill Cockram

Jill Cockram — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:21:11 +0000

Glad you found us Heather and enjoyed your breakfast – we do pride ourselves on our local foods and Mick does enjoy making the scones. Nearly right about Yorkshire but only one of us is from there – I am a Womble!!

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by Killkool,Homeland

Killkool,Homeland — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:28:35 +0000

Hello Tagaela and Candaro Seems your café gets some good reviews might have to pop in without you knowing who i am one time (;

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by steph(glasgow)

steph(glasgow) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:16:16 +0000

well i found a EHc caterpillar at my work and took it home as they wanted to depose of it,i’ve kept in a large tub with a few twigs and i think he’s started to pupated.

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by robz

robz — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:58:46 +0000

Glad you enjoyed it. Ilfracombe is fantastic right now – lovely weather. The Manor House Café will be very pleased you enjoyed their food. I’ll let them know. Hope you can make it back here soon!

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by Heather

Heather — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:27:21 +0000

Hi there.
We visited ilfracombe last May and found it lovely (especially the icecream from a shop down in the harbour – sooo many flavours we had to try two!) We also ate at Manor House Cafe. It had been recommended to us from some friends. Whereas it’s at the top of the high street – well worth the walk up the hill and past all the other tempting places. Their all day breakfast was AMAZING – all the meat is locally sourced and the sausages where to die for. The couple that run it were from Yorkshire orginally I think, but were great embassadors for Ilfracombe as they also gave us some great tourist advice too.
Unfortunately we went there on our second last day so we didn’t get a chance to try their home made devon cream teas (the scones where huge!!) but we are hoping to be back this spring for a few days and it’s top of our list to try them this time round.

Comment on Blowing my bottle top in Ilfracombe in an attempt to recycle by robz

robz — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:54:04 +0000

Update from North Devon Council. Bottle tops can be put out with recycling. Instructions are to flatten bottle completely so there’s no air in it and then either screw top on or push it inside bottle. (If air is in the bottle and the tops are screwed on, they fly off when recycled and can cause problems.)

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by s a wilson

s a wilson — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:07:39 +0000

we found an EH caterpillar trying to cross the road off our drive i not knowing what it was picked it up and brought it in the garden then saw the horn on its back and nearly died i know not to touch spikey thingy caterpillars so i put it in a butterfly container for the kids to watch came on internet and he/she has pupated but i found it in july (in nottingham)and i wondered if that means it will emerge before june as i know they last that long over winter ??? has anyone else in the midlands got info thanks

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by k s parsons

k s parsons — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:20:18 +0000

I found one on the 10/ 10/2010 first i have seen ,but never seen it as
full grown moth ,a really stunning creature.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:26:09 +0000

They are quite amazing. You might not see the moths until next year.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 10:25:24 +0000

We’ve had them several years running, but have not seen any about so far this year. They are marvellous.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Janet

Janet — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 09:26:46 +0000

We have had fuchsias in our garden for over 20 years and this is the first time I have seen a E.H. moth. It was quite a sight to see, so big. We didn’t know what it was at first until I checked it out on the web. We feel so privileged to have one in our garden. Its so beautiful.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Janet Thomas

Janet Thomas — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 14:42:00 +0000

My husband and I have fuchsias in our garden and we have just found our first elephant hawk caterpillar. What a beauty!!! I went straight onto the internet to find out what it was called. I put in “caterpillars that eat fuchsias” and they came up. I can’t believe what we have found. Can’t wait to see it turn into a moth, it must be a sight, I bet we miss it.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:04:12 +0000

I think fuchsias are their favourites but think they can eat other plants. They are fascinating though. Hope your son was not too frightened. We used to have to rescue them from our youngest dog who treated them like pets.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:01:03 +0000

Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure where ours overwinter. I haven’t seen any moths this year yet so hope they survived from last year.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:59:46 +0000

I’m not an expert, I’m afraid. I leave them outside and hope they survive. Good luck with yours!

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by jammer

jammer — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:49:24 +0000

i found an EHM caterpillar thought i would watch him transform, so i bought him a big tupperware box, put in holes but i am worried im doing more harm than good. can you recommend a webiste for the life cycle of EHM becuse i have read different thingsbut nosn specific to EHM

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Josie

Josie — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:02:03 +0000

What an amazing looking caterpillar! Markings like a snakes head and quite huge. So pleased to identify it via your website and others comments. My one is eating the flowers and so far not touching the leaves. Wonder how it will overwinter when the plant dies back?

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Allen

Allen — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:29:25 +0000

I found one of the huge elephant hawk moth caterpillars a few weeks back, having read what they eat I am surprised as we have no Fuschias!!! Fantastic creature that the cat thought was fascinating and so did my son…till it crawled on his hand!!

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:16:44 +0000

And we are losing species of moths and butterflies all the time. They are are indeed glorious and we should appreciate them.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:15:53 +0000

They are quite remarkable. I wondered what is was the first time I saw one. Our youngest dog kept bringing in a caterpillar and we had to rescue it and put it outside again.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:14:51 +0000

Not seen any this year, but they do seem to love fuchsias.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 20:14:11 +0000

I don’t know. I’m sure it will find somewhere to spend the winter and next year you will see it as a moth.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Rosemary Marshall

Rosemary Marshall — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 17:55:05 +0000

Tragic that the first thing so many people think of is how to get rid of anything which is out of the ordinary. These (and all moths) are glorious creatures – learn to appreciate the natural world and wonder at it.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by angela

angela — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:06:28 +0000

I have found an elephant hawk moth on my fushia but would like to see him or her grow, what shall i do can i keep him indoors in a butterfly house ??

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Suzan Ayers

Suzan Ayers — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:17:55 +0000

I have two elephant hawk caterpilllars living on one of my fushias. I have lots of fushias in my garden but only one has the caterpllars
I live in Ottershaw Surrey

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by kirsty

kirsty — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:34:36 +0000

we found at least six chomping away on fushias so big they frighteng my dog! had to remove them an put in hegdes

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Terry

Terry — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:41:13 +0000

Just found an Elephant Hawk moth in my garden in South Wales. Never seen one before !

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by patricia rose

patricia rose — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:11:27 +0000

Thank you for your information above, I found 5 elephant hawk moths on my fuschia bush, or should I say our dog did. I have never seen these caterpillars before let alone the moth that laid her eggs. I feel very honoured that she chose our garden. I checked this morning and they are happy munching away.

Comment on A sunflower appears with its hat on by Debs

Debs — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 19:26:38 +0000

Your seedling looks very happy and healthy. long may that continue. Hoping the recent cold snap won’t have stunted the growth of my emerging giants or the vibrancy of the colour of the non yellow ones. It’s getting to the growth spurt season…. )

Comment on A sunflower appears with its hat on by robz

robz — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:49:07 +0000

Nurture it so it grows big and strong. Then at some point it needs to go in a bigger pot or in the ground.

Comment on A sunflower appears with its hat on by Julie

Julie — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:29:37 +0000

Wow! love your sunflower with its hat! Mine first one is still bent over. I have got another one that has sprouted today. Not sure what I do next so any help welcome

Julie

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by Callum

Callum — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:27:45 +0000

I cannot understand why you would want to get rid of them in the first place! I first saw one of the E.H.Moth caterpillars this year and i was stunned by there beauty, they are marvelous insects, you should count yourself lucky that you get to expierience so many of them, if i lived nextdoor to you i would quiet happelly take them of your hands and put them into my garden and look after them all, and when they have done pupating and turn into adult moths you get to see the real beauty, theres no need to kill them there quiet rare and not very common in most gardens, so please don’t throw them around and think nothing of them, learn more about the whole cycle of moths especially E.H.Moths and you will begin to enjoy them.

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by robz

robz — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:57:43 +0000

Glad you enjoyed your stay. We went to Dolly’s café on the seafront for lunch. Good food and great value.

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by Polly

Polly — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 21:20:26 +0000

I agree – Ilfracombe is a foodies delight – we went to the Manor House Cafe on the High Street – definatly a locals haunt who were very friendly to us grockles too! Their homecooking was delicious.
Great meal in Basils on Fore Street too.
Stayed at the Rosedale B&B – sooo comfortable!

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:58:42 +0000

Shame, they grow into beautiful moths.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by nat44

nat44 — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:11:59 +0000

We have found 3 in the garden this morning alone. They are really horrible. How do we get rid of them? Currently my kids are throwing them over the hedge!!!! sorry neighbours….

Comment on Hobson’s Choice in Ilfracombe, Croyde & Pilton, North Devon by robz

robz — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:52:57 +0000

It’s a difficult one. On the whole, Saturday night shows don’t get big audiences unless it’s a really popular show. Having said that, it’s a bit chicken and egg: if you put on the right show, you’ll get a good audience. We have to work at it.

Comment on Hobson’s Choice in Ilfracombe, Croyde & Pilton, North Devon by Emilia

Emilia — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:09:14 +0000

Just curious why the shows are not presented on Saturday nights, so that weekend visitors to the town can attend. Many people come in late Friday night and then leave Sunday. I was there in July, and found there was no show on the Saturday, and many disappointed tourists wandering around on a beautiful evening asking each other what there was to do in town.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by robz

robz — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:24:46 +0000

You must have loads of them. Never had a problem with them before.

Comment on Elephant hawk moth on my fuchsias again by sharon

sharon — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:48:28 +0000

these big buggers have eaten all my fuschias how do we get rid of them ?

Comment on Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr keep that camera steady by Deb

Deb — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:37:46 +0000

Hi there. I was looking for the perfect picture for today’s blog and found it here. It’s the one of dawn over Wales from Ilfracombe and I live somewhere along that bit of blurry coastline you see in the distance. I hope you don’t mind that I used it – I credited your blog with a link.

It’s a beautiful photo – Thanks

Comment on Buy Three Bonzos and get one Free by robz

robz — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:57:46 +0000

You’re welcome. It was a great evening!

Comment on Buy Three Bonzos and get one Free by Dave

Dave — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 10:04:57 +0000

Thanks for your generous comments on our show at Ilfracombe Landmark Theatre – we had a great time too. I have cheekily placed your blog on our website and a link to your website. Let me know if this is not ok.

Comment on Plunge pie – a meal in one by robz

robz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:45:07 +0000

That’s because Turton’s invented them – I asked where they came from.
Thanks for the recommendations.

Comment on Buy Three Bonzos and get one Free by robz

robz — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:38:55 +0000

Yes, of course, be my guest. Thanks for spotting the error. Don’t know what I was thinking.

Comment on Plunge pie – a meal in one by Dave

Dave — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:06:13 +0000

I have sampled a few plunge pies from Turton’s and thought I would see if there was a recipe on the web which is how I came to your site. Spot on with the comments about the pies, absolutely lovely and there isn’t a recipe on the web……..comes up with peach pies, thanks google! Who wants a pie made from a hairy fruit when you can have beef, beans and spuds?
If you want something to wash the pie down with try cider from Indicknowle Farm, Long Lane, Comb Martin, Ilfracombe, Devon EX34 0PA. They also have honey and eggs – try a goose egg for breakfast.
Stuck for an evening meal – try Basil’s in Fore Street, absolutely superb

Comment on Buy Three Bonzos and get one Free by Doo Dah Diaries

Doo Dah Diaries — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:37:35 +0000

I would like to quote your review of the Three Bonzos And A Piano in the Doo Dah Diaries. (Vernon actually sung “Falling In Love Again” and not “Lili Marleen”.
David (the man told off for taking photos, albeit for the band and the DDD, and also filming the audience doing the Head Ballet for Dave Glasson.)

Comment on Home-made fish cakes and chips with pickled onions by Derek Still

Derek Still — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:02:32 +0000

OH LOVELY GRUB! How I miss English Style simple cooking. Stop showing pictures like that or this old Pom will leave Australia and come home!

Home-made pickle onions? Marry Me please!

derek

Comment on Rainbow Corner Café, Ilfracombe by Mark

Mark — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:40:32 +0000

Hi Rob, never been to Rainbow Cafe myself, but will try next time I’m in Ilfracombe. My personal favourite is Wild Thyme Cafe in Braunton. Also like the Red Barn Woolacombe for a cooked breakfast…Nice blog

Comment on Tender to develop a proposal to improve Ilfracombe seafront by robz

robz — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:26:16 +0000

That’s a great compliment, Emilia. I did see the advert, but I don’t think I’d perform well in the strait-jacket of this type of organisation. I hope I can support the area through other avenues.

Comment on Tender to develop a proposal to improve Ilfracombe seafront by Emilia

Emilia — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:27:47 +0000

I think you should apply for the management job opening at North Devon Plus – your skills and enthusiasm just what they may be looking for.

Comment on Do visitors to the UK want plastic restaurants and hotels? by Emilia

Emilia — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:15:47 +0000

Having lived both in the UK and US, with British parents, I find the quirks and rules of smaller English establishments just part of the culture and strangely comforting. This should not change. I think that most Americans find the ‘directness’ of the English a little unsettling, simply because the nature of customer service in the US is that no request is too much trouble. This is true of retail shops and hotels, and is done without fail in the southern and western states. So, to be told that one can’t have something like brekkies after a certain time, well, that’s almost like being cheated. No sense of humour when the wallet’s open. Not to worry, they’ll get over it…Americans generally are quite fascinated with Brits.
I do agree with Mr. Rodriguez on one point – it’s not appetizing to encounter a previously-enjoyed bar of soap in any hotel room. I once stayed in a lovely country hotel in Somerset – and was delighted to find thick, welcoming towels, but disgusted when they actually smelled of mould!
The Ilfracombe’s B&B’s I have stayed in have all been of fine quality service, cleanliness and food. Some things that could improve the “Ilfracombe tourist experience” (maybe they exist, I haven’t found them): 1. A friendly, convenient laundry near High St. or the harbour; 2. A detailed map of the central streets of the town showing where things actually are (the only good one I ever got was from a dear old fellow at the museum who hand-drew it for me). Because my parents once lived in Ilfracombe, I had a compelling reason to come back. For the average North American, getting to Alfrincombe is challenging – running the gammit of Heathrow, trains, car hire, driving on the wrong side of the road, getting around the sheep on Exmoor…perhaps that’s why most settle for a plastic London hotel.

Comment on Plunge pie – a meal in one by Bart

Bart — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:13:24 +0000

If carlsberg did pies these would be them.
This is the reason right here “A lovely meal in itself on a chilly November day” i have gone from 12 st to nearer 14st in the last 2 yrs lol. But they work equally well in summer trust me.

Comment on From autumn to winter by robz

robz — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:03:26 +0000

Thanks, Emilia. That’s what others have said too. I’m not good on shrubs.

Comment on From autumn to winter by Emilia again

Emilia again — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:31:10 +0000

Your berries in the photo look like Pyracantha ‘Mohave’. Are the flowers white and in small clusters…and the shrub 6-8 feet high. It can be trained on an espalier. If it’s only about 2-4 feet high then it’s probably the dwarf variety.

Comment on Chapter Two by Suzan St Maur

Suzan St Maur — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:43:29 +0000

Have you seen this website?

http://www.authonomy.com

You might find it helpful.

SUZE

Comment on Summer sunset, twilight and night in Ilfracombe by Recent Links Tagged With "twilight" - JabberTags

Recent Links Tagged With "twilight" - JabberTags — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:04:33 +0000

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Comment on Pickled onions more important than Halloween by robz

robz — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:29:34 +0000

Hi Emilia. Apologies, I’m not really blaming you. It’s up to people to choose whether or not to swallow all this commercialism. I’m all for having a bit of fun, but it’s really going over the top here.

Comment on Pickled onions more important than Halloween by Emilia

Emilia — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:36:12 +0000

Hey there Robert – I very much enjoy your musings, but must take exception to Halloween being blamed on us in America! We loathe it too – just another commercial grab. Except for the children who enjoy a treat that day, most of us ignore it or, more importantly, celebrate All Hallows’/All Saints Day. The whole thing got started in Celtic (800 AD) times in Europe, didn’t it? What about Mexicans – they actually put on costumes and have parties in the cemeteries!!

Comment on Managing time management by Time Management - Managing time management

Time Management - Managing time management — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:39:41 +0000

[...] Read the rest here: Managing time management [...]

Comment on Managing time management by Sue Massey

Sue Massey — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:31:08 +0000

Hi. I read a few of your other posts and wanted to know if you would be interested in exchanging blogroll links?

Comment on When the sun is going . . . by robz

robz — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:42:38 +0000

Thanks, Emilia. Glad you enjoy them.

Comment on When the sun is going . . . by emilia

emilia — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:27:39 +0000

Enjoy your postings…brilliant pics! Have always enjoyed visits to Ilfracombe and nice to check on how things are going there.

Comment on Chapter One by Nicky

Nicky — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:21:46 +0000

When’s the book coming out Robert …!

N x