Neville’s Cricket & Other Tales
Regulars will be well aware of site stalwart Neville and indeed well aware we’d be lost without him.
Well, once again the oasis that is Chez Amiguru has turned up another delight
Look at this sucker - I’ve never seen one before - looks distinctly foreign to me*
*For foreign read - outside Lincolnshire
A Female Great Green Bush Cricket
Looks like something CK might have eaten in the desert or that may have come in on one of History Hunter’s Aeroplanes !
Neville, as far as can be told, appears to live on the very edge of the world, any land slippage and his cherished conservatory is liable to fall into the cosmos.
The area, although sounding fabulous, is beyond my experience and understanding.
When I buy a new road atlas I assiduously rip out all the pages that do not feature part of Lincolnshire and the only other maps I use are all ancient and show only the county of Lincolnshire - beyond the borders they’re blank apart from illustrations of fabulous mythical beasts bearing the legend Here Be Monsters 
I hope this is not a forewarning of a Plague on the House of Neville - heaven forbid he has an infestation and awakes one morning to find these beasties nibbling his Hobnobs 
All the best
Rod
Little Brother said,
August 18, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
Neville,
Wok-oil-ginger-garlic paste-chillies-said bug-rice wine-noodles-soy-bean paste. Three minutes. Done!
LB
Chris Keyworth said,
August 18, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
ive got to say ive seen a staggering increas in these this year they are everyware like last year with the ladybugs
regards
chris
Rod said,
August 18, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
LB,
I suspect Neville might stick to his chocolate biscuits
Rod
Rod said,
August 18, 2010 @ 7:35 pm
Chris,
I’m seeing loads of grasshopppers, some big some small but nothing like that !
Cheers
Rod
Mick Deakin said,
August 18, 2010 @ 9:36 pm
Must be our rapidly changing climate that’s bringing out these little buggers!
This past 2-3 years I have seen and spoken to many victims of nasty bites/stings from U F I’s and other creepy crawlies.
Last weekend a dragonfly (at least I think it was) rose up from our pond and flew over the head of my little boy. I was amazed at he size of it. Next time I go down the garden I’ll take a DB 12 bore
Chris Keyworth said,
August 18, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
these are quite common round here in the lowlands near the coast, i was tracking one on 26th june near Brocklesby it sounded like a car alarm going off in a rough field, managed to catch it after dark in a net but took me about an hour aproaching from all directions so i could narrow down which bush it was in mine was slightly smaller just over 40mm… and before anyone asks no i never ate it but the thought did cross my mind…
regards
chris
Amiguru said,
August 18, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Apologies to all for delayed response. Had an unexpected visitor after sending the pic to Rod.
I went shopping this morning and on my return went to put my key in the latch and found this little lady standing guard for me!
I wasn’t alarmed, just fascinated as these are quite common around here and I see them in my garden most summers. My first tactic was to open the door very slowly to get to my camera, so you guys could see what’s heading your way. About four summers ago I awoke one morning after a sultry night and found one perched on my headboard!
This is the largest British insect and this particular one is a female. They can normally only be found in limited areas in the south around July to October as they need warm temperatures, however, due to rising temperatures ‘up north’ they are beginning to spread.
Here is an extract from a BBC report made last year:
“Forest chiefs are waiting with bated breath for the start of the cricket season to confirm another remarkable animal first in Yorkshire. The Forestry Commission has confirmed that a picture taken of a mystery insect outside Dalby Forest Visitor centre, near Pickering, in September was of a great green bush cricket. The cricket is England’s biggest insect and this is the first recorded sighting of the creature in the county for at least 70 years. …….
….Crickets are very rare in the north, preferring the warmer climate of southern England. But the warming trend linked to climate change could mean they are spreading their wings and could be soon making themselves heard in the region in the dead of night.
Bush crickets are strong flyers so if climatic and habitat conditions are favourable there is little to stop the creature colonising new areas. Experts at York University who confirmed the species’ identity were said to be amazed at the discovery.”
Now, as this was dated October 2009, and Yorkshire is next door to Lincs. I think that Chris’ claim that “they are everywhere” might be a slight exaggeration! Crickets and grasshoppers maybe, but Great Green Bush Crickets are spreading but hardly that quickly.
Back to my example, they are quite unalarmed if you move gently and after taking a few pictures I coaxed her onto my hand to move her to a safer place but after a couple of steps she took to the wing, a beautiful sight in flight, about as big as a wren. She landed next to my neighbours wall so I rescued her once again as my neighbour’s cat would have soon made a mess of it. I safely parked her this time among the foliage of my kiwi vine.
The males incidentally have an upcurving organ like a Turkish knife so are easily discerned. Look at the length of those antennae, amazing. Finally, her proper name is Tettigonia viridissima
Miles, I’m honoured that you should divulge one of your haute cuisine recipes. Others may want to try it out, which could be detrimental to the Bush Cricket population
By the way, you didn’t say whether to kill it first, not indeed did you mention heat so it could be lively fusion salad, (the cricket representing the leafy bits). The antennae might take some swallowing…..
Regards, hic!
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 18, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
You may jest about things coming in on my planes, but a few years back when in one office i heard a really loud buzzing coming from the corner of the room. On having a look, thinking it may have been a bee or wasp (bee would have been released, wasp crushed to dust) what flew AT me made me duck out the way. After getting a better look at it when it decided to stop ‘bugging’ me, i never had a clue what it was. can honestly say i had never seen anything like it, i later had a look online and found that it was some sort of flying bug that was only found in spain!! It can only have come in via a suitcase or hidden in clothing of returning holidaymakers. The flying bug was about 6cm long with a large head, small thorax and about 5cm long thin abdomen, and bright red with a black head!!!
Amiguru said,
August 19, 2010 @ 12:06 am
Just found a quality video of one - do have look and see how harmless they really are…..vegetarians.
###.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJj5Hk_iy4&NR=1
Replace the ### with www
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 19, 2010 @ 8:23 am
HH,
You may jest about things coming in on my planes,
Indeed I do not, personally I would ban all flights into and out of the fair isle - there’s no need to leave the greatest place on earth and incoming flights only bring undesirables such as you experienced - not to mention people from exotic climes Yorkshire
Cheers
Rod
Rod said,
August 19, 2010 @ 8:25 am
Mick,
I think these huge ‘Dragonflies’ are called Hawkers
Some are such a size that when I see them whilst out-and-about I initailly think they’re birds when the catch my eye.
I’ve tried to get pictures and it’s ridiculous, anybody watching from afar would imagine there’s a lunatic on the loose
Best
Rod
Rod said,
August 19, 2010 @ 8:29 am
Neville,
foliage of my kiwi vine.
Do you actually live in a house or some kind of nationally important monument ?
I know the Royal Seat of Wybers Wood is quite a place but Nev’s House could top it
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 19, 2010 @ 11:08 am
Rod,
My ‘estate’ is a quite humble quarter acre, but I have packed into it a diversity of native and exotic plants. All of the trees have been planted by me, mostly from seed. They range from the indigenous medlar, oak, hazel and walnut; to said kiwis, turkish quince, Swedish whitebeam and the Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides.
I am particularly proud of my Metasequoia as it was the only one to germinate out of a whole packet bought from a specialist nursery in Cumbria!
For those not familiar with this tree, it is one of the oldest tree species on earth and has the peculiar behaviour of being a deciduous conifer! The leaves are wonderfully soft and make you want to stroke your face with them. It is a prized tree in China and they have a protected forest of 5000 specimens. It is classified as an endangered species and was only identified as the last survivor of the Metasequoias in 1944.
Mine is only 15 years old and about the same height in feet but they eventually grow to 200 ft. Just had to quote this from Wikipedia regarding the specimens in the UK: “The Dawn Redwood can be found in some gardens of mansion houses and historic buildings”
If I live long enough to see it fruiting Rod, I’ll send you some seed to try in your little plot!
Regards,
Neville
Cid said,
August 19, 2010 @ 11:35 am
Neville,
Forget the chocolate biscuits and conservatory…… a man with medlars, walnuts and quince is someone everyone ought to know … I imagine your swarm of female friends take great delight at harvest time
Cid
p.s. Neville, is it a swarm of females or a pride? Could be a hotpot or horde, perhaps a flock or flutter
Amiguru said,
August 19, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
Cid,
I like to think that I have a gender balance in my exclusive, (your included), circle of friends but must confess that the females show most interest in my fruit and nuts
You’ve set me thinking now regards the collective noun for females; being somewhat chamaeleonic by nature I suppose there is a case for a suite of such nouns.
The covetous kind might be a covey; the homely preserves and pickles kind, a conserve; the mansion and Aga kind, a Margot; the unintelligent kind, a bungalow; and so on, I’m sure there are others….;)
Perhaps you could classify men for us? Here’s one for starters: a lager of blokes…
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 19, 2010 @ 3:57 pm
Neville,
I’m impressed - very impressed.
I once, according to the tree surgeons, had the tallest trees in the whole area around Wybers Wood !
Not remotely as interesting as yours though !
Best
Rod
Cid said,
August 19, 2010 @ 11:05 pm
Neville,
Speaking for myself and some of my girlfriends on the curvaceous side…. a ‘Marilyn’ might do, stretching the imagination as far as possible of course. As for men in general… that’s a tricky one…. let’s think now…. perhaps a ‘challenge’ or a ‘Mars’, the planetary type rather than the bar, although frankly both could apply
For instance a group of Rods could equal a ‘relic’ or a ‘mercury’ (as in heavy metal) … I could go on but since he’s probably one of a kind there seems little point 
For putting up with my nonsense, and being the sparkly charismatic kind Neville, I’d say you are a ‘gem’ and lots of ladies will no doubt agree…… especially those attached to ‘relics’ and ‘challenges’
Cid
Amiguru said,
August 20, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Rod,
This thread is headed “Neville’s Cricket & Other Tales” so I feel no guilt in posting this:
The eminent Lincolnshire-born Dr. William Stukeley, Antiquarian and Doctor of Medicine of the 18th century, was the first person to study in depth, Stonehenge and Avebury. When in London he stayed at Mr. Sisson’s. I knew I was feeling old but also feel honoured to have hosted the great man!
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 21, 2010 @ 8:02 am
Neville,
are his ashes scattered in your garden perchance
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 21, 2010 @ 11:55 am
Rod,
Oops! I guess you had an historical abberation Rod. Cremation was not introduced in the UK during the historical era until the 1870’s, so our learned friend would have been interred after his death in 1765.
It is quite arresting when one comes across one’s surname if it happens to be a ‘less than common’ one. I guess that Chris must have experienced this too. As an illustration of this, in 1881 ‘Sisson’ occured as a surname 29 times per million. ‘Keyworth’ occured 25 times per million and ‘Collins’ occured 1584 times per million.
Regards,
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 21, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
Well from that Nev you can tell who the commoner is!!!!!
I bet my surname was quite rare back then too.
Rod said,
August 21, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
HH,
you beat me too it
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 21, 2010 @ 1:27 pm
HH,
‘Hunter’ was 1140 per million….you asked for that one!
Regards,
Neville
Amiguru said,
August 21, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
Rod,
Another ‘other tale’……
Saw, for only the second time, a half metre long grass snake on my stream bank this morning. The first time was last year when I saw one using overhanging foliage to bridge the stream. Both times it has been a very dark one so may well be the same one. They are at home in water as their main foods are frogs and fish. I suspect they are nesting in my compost heap, which I deliberately don’t disturb as I know slow-worms nest in there; I just keep adding to it. Of course, their chief enemy here are the ubiquitous neighbours’ bl***y cats!
Menagerially yours,
Neville
Rod said,
August 21, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
Neville,
my brother managed to get a picture of one ’swimming’ in a river - looked fantastic.
They’re not easy to spot in my experience and when you do it’s a split-second glimpse
Of course, their chief enemy here are the ubiquitous neighbours’ bl***y cats!
Don’t get me started on that one
Cheers
Rod
History Hunter said,
August 21, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
Nev, I’m not THAT common! (hopefully)
Try Echo Mike Papa Tango Alpha Golf Echo, see what that brings up
Amiguru said,
August 21, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
HH,
Congratulations! You’re the rarest yet - 10 per million
In 1881 nearly all Emptages were clustered in East Kent with a smattering in Hertfordshire and North Lincs. Due to most profligate proliferation you are now almost everywhere with spreads west of the Thames, Wales, West Yorks. and Devon!
Are you sure you are not a rabbit?
Statistically yours,
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 21, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
Yes i know the wheres, whens and whys of the Emptage family as my parents have done indepth research over the last 30 years or so and have found many an interesting name. I have touched on this subject on a previous thread about being related to anyone famous. Mind you, i wish we were more closely related to the branch of the family who changed their name to Emtage, as they were all multimillionaire owners of sugar plantations in the Caribbean, including multitudes of slaves. They were all on my dads side, but on my mums side we had William Wilberforce trying to stop slavery!!!! Quite ironic really
History Hunter said,
August 21, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Ive always known im of rare stock. Good breeding and keeping riff raff out the family helps! And no that doesnt mean we keep it amongst ourselvberds (sorry that was a spelling mistake due to my 6 fingers)
Incidentally Mr Ion, are you calling my family a bunch of profligating proliferationists? I may take offence if i knew what it mnewant (damn finger)
Amiguru said,
August 21, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
Honourable Highness,
Methinks thou doth aim to confuse; six fingers: six on one hand?; three on each?; 4&2?; 5&1?; in- or ex-cluding thumb/thumbs?.
Is this a claim to the carrying of Bullen genes I ponder? Forsooth man, though needest to check thine breast(s) and add them on thy six digits!
I thank thee for my name which thou hast bestowed upon me for having checked the annals I can but reveal that those of the ‘Ion’ stock do number but five per million!
By your Grace’s leave,
Lord Neville (Ion)
Amiguru said,
August 22, 2010 @ 4:41 pm
Rod,
There is a place in NE Lincs. which might well raise your pulse, not to mention a certain other person. You have not yet posted anything about it to my knowledge but you may well have been there and it may be in ‘draught form’. I thought that rather than blurt it out, it might be fun to present clues and see if ‘the team’ and others can pin it down and then you can make judgement on its priority. Open to anyone - do have a go!
So here goes with clue 1:
JG Hall in 1890 says - “The road from the ****** passes over the old Roman Camp, and here many relics of that people have been found,……”
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 22, 2010 @ 6:29 pm
Neville,
I feeling more than a littl eRoman at present so you particualrly interest me with your conundrums.
Hmm Notices of Lincolnshire then methinks.
I don’t have a copy so it’ll have to be the hard way
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 22, 2010 @ 6:36 pm
Rod,
:) That source choice was intentional! Most people don’t have a copy and as far as I’m aware its not on the web. Published in (shhh! Hull) It won’t be the only source so don’t despair - a process of elimination
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 22, 2010 @ 7:04 pm
Nevilles,
The road from the . . .
church
priory ?
Amiguru said,
August 22, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
Rod,
No, no; but the number of asterisks is significant.
Clue 2:
The sentence goes on: “…In the fields over which the footpath crosses, great quantities of fragments of Roman pottery may be found, and coins and other curiosities have been picked up.”
Next clue due in the morning
Regards,
Neville
chris keyworth said,
August 22, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
lol could be any number of locations….
Barton Horkstow rd
Caistor Roman fort
Walesby Roman/Iron age Camp (the Celtic Mint)
Winteringham Roman Town and Crossing point of the Humber..
Blue coat Charity farm Barton
South Ferriby Roman Camp
Horkstow Roman Villa
Bigby Roman Villa
am i getting close Nev…
Amiguru said,
August 22, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
Chris,
You could be, but listing every Roman site in NE Lincs. is bound to include it.
Regards,
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 22, 2010 @ 10:23 pm
Yes but with Rod’s love of Lincolnshire and even moreso closer to the homestead of The Kingdom of Wybers Wood the answer to your quiz wont be too far from the area.
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 8:18 am
Clue 3:
This is the location of the finds in clues 1 and 2; its the Ordnance Survey map for 1887.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 9:06 am
Oh I say !
I have you sir
Taken me 42 minutes though !
Amiguru said,
August 23, 2010 @ 10:28 am
Clue 4:
In the church there is an effigy tomb of a crusader knight. Many sources.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 10:55 am
of course some of us don’t need extra clues
Amiguru said,
August 23, 2010 @ 11:06 am
Rod,
Well done! Lots of potential in the area of course. I’ll continue with a few more ‘fun’ clues so you can confirm
Clue 5: Etheldreda had a bum journey here.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
Neville,
it’s a fantastic tie in with the book and the map - on the subject of the map I don’t think I’ve seen anything like ‘Roman Coins Found’ on an OS map before ?
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
August 23, 2010 @ 12:50 pm
Rod,
No doubt the raiders have waved their thingies over it repeatedly but it still has lots to offer archaeologically, historically and photographically. Just a couple more clues for fun before it is named.
Clue 6: Mr. Sisson’s lodger in a letter dated 1724 relating his visit to the area referred to the church as standing in the Lincolnshire Alps!
Regards,
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:31 pm
Ah, the good old Lincolnshire Alps! We all know where that is dont we!
Amiguru said,
August 23, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
HH
We wold know wouldn’t we?
Regards
Neville
History Hunter said,
August 23, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
Of course Nev.
A season, in the 7th bookstave, ends with the haunch of an even-toed ungulate.
OBVIOUSLY!!!!