A new addition to our household. He / she is a juvenile Brachypelma auratum (Mexican Flame knee Tarantula). Small at around 5cm, but over the next few years could grow up to 15cm. Currently on the side of its enclosure watching me work…

Nottingham sunrise this morning.

Jet lag at this time of year is less that ideal. Been up since 5am and sunrise is still a few hours away. Really feels like the middle of the night!

Under the overpass.

An evening stroll around a Bangkok park. Loads of people out jogging, using the gym equipment, and there was even a free open air aerobics class taking place. Such a difference to the UK where you’d likely be mugged entering a city park after dark.

Old vs modern. The view from our Bangkok hotel room.

I don’t fancy a journey on this bus…

A very pleasant early morning walk. Happy Xmas all.

The ‘bum gun’. Why are these not a thing in the west? I have to admit that after a couple of weeks in Thailand I’m a big fan. I don’t think my bum has ever been so squeaky clean. If you had poo on your face would you wipe it off with toilet paper or wash it off?

A lovely peaceful 24 hours at a remote homestay on the edge of Khao Sam Roi Yot National park. Just the sounds of birds and buffalo.

Young water buffalo. The owner had a close eye on mum who was having a bath nearby.

A few days spent around the village of Baan Krood. Mass tourism has yet to arrive in this part of Thailand. Deserted beaches and a general laid back atmosphere.

A visit to Ao Siam National Park this afternoon to walk its nature trail. Entrance was free and we were the only visitors which was nice. Despite smothering ourselves with half a bottle of mozzie spray we both ended up covered in bites. Some impressive 150ft+ trees.

Last nights dinner wasn’t quite what I thought I’d be getting as something got lost in translation. It did taste much better than it looked though!

A great morning hiking up the trail to Pala-U Waterfall in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Elephants are common on the road to the trailhead but unfortunately we didn’t spot any. A tough walk though with ropes for the tricky bits, would be slippery after rain. The air full of butterflies and bird song.

A Vespa Tropica (greater banded hornet) flew into our room yesterday. It was huge. Guest house worker said they are very dangerous!

It was a beautiful drive through the Thai countryside yesterday to get to our accommodation. As the road twisted its way up and over a jungle clad pass we noticed elephant dung on the side of the road. A cacophony of insects and frogs at night & apparently sometimes elephants can be heard.

I think some of the items on the menu may be lost in translation!

Want to raise your blood pressure? Hire a car and drive out of Bangkok! Went the wrong way and got lost. Finally found the motorway and headed south.

Bangkok Mall breakfast of kings. Spicy fish soup with rice & omelette and spicy mushroom soup with rice & omelette. Came to 140 baht (£3.30). Some stomach adjustment may be needed due to Thai spice levels.

Can’t beat a good pounding in the kitchen to make a very spicy Thai jungle curry. We are off to Thailand in a couple of weeks so are training our taste buds.

A good sturdy stile.

A nice quiet sit overlooking one of the biggest honeypots in England. I’ve not passed a soul since leaving the car. It’s heaving down there by the stepping stones even on a gloomy Thursday in November.

A bit of weirdness in the woods today.

A very enjoyable afternoon wandering through the woodlands surrounding the Churnet Valley. Pleasantly surprised how nice this part of Staffordshire is. Could hear the screams coming from Alton Towers at times today.

Some Autumn colours brightening a dull overcast day.

When I got in the car last night I got a face full of spider web. It was quite distracting having this beauty sitting above my head. I’ll be serving an eviction notice later today. Partly because there is no suitable food in the car and because we disagree on what music to play.

Treated to a rather lovely sky this evening.

A very pleasant slow exploration of Rainster Rocks this afternoon. It’s just outside the Peak District National Park so not a soul about on this beautifully warm and sunny Saturday.

What a beautiful Monday morning.

A stunning high pitch this evening on the Howgill Fells. There is barely a breeze and the temperature is dropping, possibly a frost by dawn.

Shapes and light in the Howgills.

An acceptable spot for a good long sit.

A peaceful camp in an unfrequented valley last night. The rain came in heavy at dusk its sound lulling me to an early sleep. I lazed around until the sun hit the tent this morning. Its warmth didn’t come until quite late due to being at the bottom of a narrow steep sided valley.

Quite possibly the only waterfall in Nottinghamshire.

No sunset but a good sky this evening.

It’s a beautiful Autumn morning in Derbyshire, a bit of a chill in the air.

A sunny Monday off of work so doing a beautiful gritstone walk in the Peak. A bit of a breeze up on the hill.

Having a nice peaceful sit on Haven hill enjoying the view. Not a soul around this Bank Holiday Sunday.

Not a bad lunch spot.

I found this little beauty in my tent porch.

It’s been four months since I last popped a tent in my pack and headed to the hills. Have pitched up in an idyllic spot, not a soul about since leaving the car. I was relieved to find a small patch of soft grass amongst the bog, tussocks and heather.

A beautiful sky at the campsite last night. Today’s it’s very hot in Costa Del Derbyshire.

Spotted this beautiful little spider this afternoon. Any spider experts out there? Possibly a Green Orb-Weaver?

A sunset stroll yesterday up to Wigber Low. It’s outside the Peak District National Park but the views into it are great.

Hiking in the Welsh Andes.

Summer in the Welsh uplands.

Keralan egg Shakshuka for dinner tonight. The bit in the recipe that said to cook the onions for at least 20 minutes until jammy sold it to me. Sunday evening comfort food.

A packed Rock City last night to see MJ Lenderman. His album Manning Fireworks has been on heavy rotation in our house since it was released. Highly recommended if you like grungy alt country.