Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve

The Neilston Men's Group recently visited Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, one of the few wetlands left in the West of Scotland, and had an enjoyable time. The group met at the reserve's visitor centre, where they were greeted by friendly rangers who gave us a brief overview of the reserve, the trails and what we were likely to see as we wandered around.

Aird Meadow Loch

We then enjoyed a leisurely walk around the reserve as far as the new boardwalk and along to the ruins of the Peel Tower on Castle Semple Loch. One of us was in a wheelchair and we had no problem getting him along the trail and boardwalk. The trail stops at the Peel Tower but the rangers said that, funds permitting, they would like to extend it further and join up with the trail on the other side of Aird Meadow Loch, which would make it more of a circular walk.

There weren’t many waterfowl around, probably due to the time of year, but we did see a Mute Swan and what looked like a pair of Great Crested Grebes farther out on the loch. The surrounding trees, on the other hand, were pretty busy with birdlife and, even if we couldn’t see them, we could hear them well enough. Using a mobile app called BirdNET, we identified a few of them as a  Eurasian Wren, a Willow Warbler, and a Eurasian Blackcap.

The Peel Tower, sometimes called the Peel of Castle Semple or even "Defender of the Faith", was a fortified tower house built shortly before 1560 by the local Semple family, during the troubled times of the Scottish Reformation, to protect their land and property from raiders and as an impregnable retreat. It was originally built on a rocky islet in Castle Semple Loch but subsequent drainage programmes have left an embankment that now connects it to the shore.

Peel Tower

There's not a lot to see from the boardwalk other than some musket ports and there's no easy way for anyone to clamber over to it and there are warning signs not to leave the boardwalk. Anyway, there was no way we were getting Billy's wheelchair over there and there was a big black Carrion Crow bobbing around, probably hoping someone would try it.

 

After a bit of standing around enjoying the pleasant weather and surroundings, we returned to the visitor centre picnic area for a tasty, à la big box that Raymond brought, salad roll lunch supplemented by teas and coffees from the visitor centre. There were even doughnuts and a cheeky Jackdaw and some wee Sparrows trying to cadge a few crumbs, although I suspect in case of the Jackdaw, a finger would have been more appreciated.

We really enjoyed the visit to Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve and had a good time wandering along the trail. We would definitely recommend it to other groups or individuals who are looking for a fun and educational day out.

Castle Semple Loch

The Neilston Men's Group is a group of local men who get together regularly to socialise and participate in activities. They're committed to making a positive contribution to the local community, and believe that visiting Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve was a valuable way to learn about some of the nature and wildlife that surrounds us while taking advantage of the good weather.

Finally, the standard group shot in front if the visitor centre:

There are a few more photos here:

If you’re interested in visiting Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, then here are some more details:

• The reserve is located in Renfrewshire, Scotland and is easily accessible by car or train.
  
• It’s open all year round and admission is free, although there is a charge for parking.
• During the Spring, you might see the Great Crested Grebes courting and in Winter you’ll likely see Whooper Swans, Wigeon and a wide variety of ducks and other waterfowl.
• The visitor centre has toilets, a picnic area, a kids play area, and a shop that also sells light refreshments.
• There are a variety of nature trails to choose from, including a wheelchair-accessible trail.

For more information, please visit the RSPB website:

• https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/

A Pen Dipped in Poison by J. M. Hall

A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M. Hall is the sequel to the popular cosy mystery A Spoonful of Murder. In this instalment, retired schoolteachers and now amateur sleuths Liz, Pat, and Thelma are back to solve another mystery when a series of poison pen letters start to circulate in their small town.

 

 

The letters reveal some of the deepest secrets of the town's residents and, as one by one, careers are ruined and relationships are destroyed, the three friends decide that they must take matters into their own hands. But as they get closer to the truth, they begin to wonder just how far someone will go to silence the writer, if discovered or if the writer will actually carry out some of the threats implied.

A Pen Dipped in Poison is a well-written and engaging mystery. The author does a great job of creating a sense of suspense and mystery in the book. The letters are all anonymous, so the characters are never sure who is sending them or what their motives are, which keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The book also features a bit of social commentary on the English educational system, which adds an extra layer of depth to the story.

In addition to the mystery, the author also provides some humour in the book. The three main characters are all likeable and relatable, and their interactions with each other are often funny, which helps to lighten the mood of the book and makes it a more enjoyable read.

On the downside, like A Spoonful of Murder, having three protagonists still left me a bit confused at times, trying to identify who was who in each scene.

Overall, I would recommend A Pen Dipped in Poison to fans of cosy mysteries. It's a well-written and engaging mystery with some likeable characters, some not so much, and a satisfying-ish ending, even if it didn’t meet my expectations (no spoilers here). 6/10 😐

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club is a charming and well-written mystery novel by Robert Thorogood, the creator of the Death in Paradise TV series, set in a little Buckinghamshire town on the River Thames.

 

The story follows a group of unlikely amateur detectives who team up to solve a murder that the police are sceptical about. The characters are all well-developed and likeable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about The Marlow Murder Club were the characters. Judith is a retired archeologist, now a crossword setter, who is now in her 70s, lives in a faded mansion and likes to swim wild in the River Thames. She’s sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Becks is the vicar's wife, who’s tough, determined, and fiercely protective of her family. Suzie is a local dog walker and she’s kind, compassionate, and always willing to help others.

When Judith, out having her usual swim in the river one evening, witnesses a murder, the police don't believe her so she takes matters into her own hands. The plot thereafter is full of twists, turns and a few red herrings, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. I found myself racing through the book, eager to find out who the killer was.

Overall, I thought The Marlow Murder Club was a great read. It is a charming, well-written mystery with a cast of likeable characters. I would definitely recommend it to fans of cosy mysteries or anyone who enjoys a good whodunit.

 

It's being adapted into a TV mini-series with Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Home Fires) taking the lead as Judith Potts, Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) as Becks Starling, Jo Martin (Doctor Who, Back to Life) as Suzie Harris, and Natalie Dew (Sandylands, The Capture) as DS Tanika Malik.

• IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27950663/

I would definitely read more books by Robert Thorogood. 7/10 😀

A Spoonful of Murder by J. M. Hall

A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall is a cozy mystery novel set in Yorkshire. The story follows three retired school teachers, Liz, Thelma, and Pat, who become amateur sleuths after their friend Topsy is murdered. The book is full of humour, heart, and suspense, and it'll appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman.

The characters are well-developed and relatable. Liz is the leader of the group, and she's determined to find Topsy's killer. Thelma is the wisecracking one, and she always has a joke to lighten the mood. Pat is the motherly one, and she's always there to offer support and the three friends work well together.

The plot is engaging and suspenseful. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing until the very end. There are a few twists and turns along the way, and the ending is satisfying.

Overall, A Spoonful of Murder is a well-written and enjoyable cozy mystery and it's a perfect book to curl up with on the sofa. I would recommend it to fans of the genre with a few caveats:

• Having three protagonists left me a bit confused at times, trying to identify who was who.
• The villain was a bit too predictable.

I enjoyed reading A Spoonful of Murder. It's a good book to read if you're looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of suspense but not too heavy on the thriller side. 6/10 😐

Murder Before Evensong by the Reverend Richard Coles

The Reverend Richard Coles's debut novel, Murder Before Evensong, is a cozy mystery set in the little fictional English village of Champton St Mary in 1988. The book follows Canon Daniel Clement, the rector of the village church, as he investigates a series of murders that have rocked the community.

I enjoyed Murder Before Evensong, but I found it to be a bit slow at times. The book is full of well-developed characters and a charming setting, but the plot takes its time to develop and I was about 30% in before the first fatality. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives the reader time to get to know the characters and the village, but it may not be to everyone's taste.

The book's strengths lie in its characters and its setting. Canon Daniel Clement is a likeable and relatable protagonist. He's a kind and compassionate man who is dedicated to his faith and his community. He's also a bit of a mystery himself, as he's still coming to terms with the death of his husband.

The village of Champton St Mary is also a well-realized setting. Coles brings the village to life with his descriptions of the countryside, the people, and the local customs. The village is a place where everyone knows everyone else, and where secrets are hard to keep. Add to that the fact hat the rector wants to install a toilet at the back of the church and chaos ensues among the congregation.

The book's plot is a bit slow at times, but it does eventually pick up. The mystery is well-crafted, and the reader will be kept guessing until the very end. The book also features a few twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged.

Overall, I enjoyed Murder Before Evensong. It's a well-written and enjoyable cozy mystery. I would recommend it to fans of the genre. 8/10 🙂

A Visit To Whitelee Wind Farm

The Neilston Men's Group recently visited Whitelee Wind Farm, the UK’s largest onshore wind farm. Located on Eaglesham Moor, its 215 turbines generate up to 539 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power over 350,000 homes.

Whitlee Wind Farm

Entry and parking is free and with 130 kilometres (over 80 miles) of trails to explore, it’s an ideal venue for walkers or cyclists. We were really impressed by the scale of the site. It's hard to imagine how many turbines there are until you see it for yourself.

We’d booked a guided bus tour so, after some mid-morning refreshments in the pleasant visitor centre café, we spent the rest of time before the tour in the interactive, on-site exhibition, where you can find out how green you really are, feel the force of the wind, be in control of a wind farm, and learn all about our race to net zero. We also learned about the environmental benefits of wind power, such as reduced carbon emissions and improved air quality.

The (electric) bus tour, which lasted about an hour, was enjoyable and Stuart, our driver, gave us an interesting and informative explanation of just about anything you can think of related to the wind farm, which covers an area of over 20 square kilometres. We learned how wind turbines work, the different kinds there are on site, and how they contribute to the UK's renewable energy supply.

The bus stopped for a short break at Turbine 42 where we had a walk around, patted the turbine and enjoyed the view over Lochgoin Reservoir. On the return trip Stuart told us about the next phase in the wind farm’s development plan, which will be a solar energy farm that will be built to provide power for Glasgow City Council’s transport vehicles to support their pursuit of having a low emission zone in the city centre.

The Neilston Men's Group is a group of local men who get together regularly to socialise and participate in activities. They are committed to making a positive contribution to the local community, and they believe that visiting Whitelee Wind Farm was a valuable way to learn about renewable energy and its potential to help tackle climate change.

Lochgoin Reservoir

The group would like to thank the Whitelee Wind Farm team for their hospitality and for providing them with such an informative tour. They would also like to encourage other people to visit the wind farm and learn more about this important source of renewable energy.

 

You can see these and other photos I've taken at Whitelee Wind Farm  here:

 

For more information, please take a look at the web site:

• https://www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk/
  

J&M Murdoch's Transport Museum

The Neilston Men's Group's first outing was to J&M Murdoch's Transport Museum, which has its home in what was originally Neilston's Crofthead Mill, which was built in 1881. The mill and surrounding buildings are now called Crofthead Industrial Estate.

Crofthead Mill

The mill is now home to J & M Murdoch & Son Ltd., a family business who provide road haulage, waste management, disposal and recycling services across central Scotland and are the biggest employer in the area.

Our group were met by brothers John and Drew Murdoch who explained that, trucking being their main business, it sparked a love of restoring older vehicles. That interest has spread among their workforce and it's not unusual to find people working on restoring vehicles long past going home time.

Just behind the reception, they have a wee museum housing a few large trucks, a collection of very nice motorcycles, a golf cart, a big American muscle car, an old tractor and even an electric train carriage and more. The lads are great recyclers so have also collected a range of industrial tools like scales and lifts and they even have the bell from an old Neilston school, rescued as it was being demolished.

Trucks

We were treated to a very nice sandwich lunch (there was cake as well) and we were shown a range of videos showing some of the things the company had been doing, including their aggregate reclamation facility on the braes opposite the village. All of it was interesting and the brothers and staff proved to be very affable and hospitable hosts. We even had a visit from their father John, one of the founders of the business back in 1965, who proved just as friendly and welcoming.

Most of the serious restoration work happens in another building so we all trooped over there for some more truck porn. I think one of the lads said it used to be a paint shed in the old days but it seemed pretty happy housing a collection of elderly trucks and other vehicles.

More Trucks

The group would like to thank the Murdoch's for allowing us to visit their facility, which isn't normally open to the public, and hear about their love of restoring old vehicles. We'd also like to thank Christine for organizing the lovely lunch. We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The Neilston Men's Group is a group of local men who get together regularly to socialise and participate in activities. They are committed to making a positive contribution to the local community, and they believe that visiting the transport museum was a valuable way to learn about our local heritage and the workings of our largest local business.

There are some more photos taken on the day here:

If you're interested in learning more about the history of Crofthead Mill, then take a look at this information on the Bobbins & Threads web site:

• The History of Neilston Mill