tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post1444285014244271077..comments2024-03-29T00:11:30.648+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: U is for Unusual Partners, Underground Caves ...Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-39218379105227863852015-11-24T17:57:06.313+00:002015-11-24T17:57:06.313+00:00Hi Michelle - I should have picked up you've c...Hi Michelle - I should have picked up you've commented here .. Blogger seems to be losing some comments and they don't get through to my email - hence I don't know you or someone has commented ... <br /><br />It was a fun post to write ... vacancy chains within the three in a bed?!<br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-81496718864088405822014-05-06T07:50:49.728+01:002014-05-06T07:50:49.728+01:00"Three-in-a-bed"? *chuckles*
Gives new m..."Three-in-a-bed"? *chuckles*<br />Gives new meaning to the concept menage-a-trois?<br />"vacancy chains" - don't let the realtors catch on to this one... <br />Michelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-22930078358184975362014-04-28T08:17:06.896+01:002014-04-28T08:17:06.896+01:00@ Jannie – I’m looking forward to finding out more...@ Jannie – I’m looking forward to finding out more about those different human species, when I visit Torquay .. or when I go to the Natural History Museum for the new exhibition on man in this country ... they’ll be primitive versions of us – the humans they found recently in East Anglia weren’t homo sapiens ... but an earlier version ... <br /><br />When I go to the Natural History Museum .. I’ll check if they’ve got a video promoting the exhibition – I’m sure they have .. and that will give you an idea ... so perhaps we don’t need to involve Hollywood?!<br /><br />@ Leandra – we never had an aquarium ... but as a kid it must have been amazing to be able to watch the crabs move home ... I hope they did like your shells?<br /><br />@ Natalie – yes I’ll be looking out the Man in the Brown Suit from the library ... oh dear poor crab ... that’s the way of natural life and children isn’t it ... and thank you for the kind comment.<br /><br />@ Damyanti – glad you’ll remember the sacculina parasite ... nature is amazing though .. and so pleased you enjoyed the post ..<br /><br />@ Paula – I sort of knew, but had forgotten the hermit crab story .. so it was interesting to write about ... <br /><br />@ Slamdunk – thanks re my U words ... and glad the hermit crab amused you ... <br /><br />@ Sharon – I gather there are lots of hermit crabs around the States coasts ... but I hadn’t realised their behaviour was similar in the insect world ... perhaps you meant the parasitic sort .. <br /><br />@ Shirley – I think a few of us will be reading the Man in the Brown suit ... glad it brought back memories to re-read ... <br /><br />@ Silvia – I think now the caverns will be rather touristy .. still it will be interesting to visit, which I will now do. I’m glad I put the two pictures in re Torquay – to see the harbour changes ... <br /><br />@ Deniz – well you’re nearer now to visit the UK ... so I expect you’ll get down ... a new place to explore .. <br /><br />@ Julia – glad I reminded you of your Chicago visit – the aquariums now are just amazing ...<br /><br />Cheers to you all –thanks for coming by and leaving such interesting comments .. Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-76300941310056932992014-04-28T08:03:41.225+01:002014-04-28T08:03:41.225+01:00@ Alex – it is a little creepy isn’t it ..
@ Bet...@ Alex – it is a little creepy isn’t it .. <br /><br />@ Betty – I definitely will be visiting the caves to check them out ... but as you rightly say: nature is quite amazing and fascinating ..<br /><br />@ Teresa – it’s so interesting to learn about life in all its forms ... that must have been fun accompanying your father at times to see what was in the caves ... and yes lots of creepy crawlies, I can imagine those ... <br /><br />@ Lee – I must read her book on the caves ... but also visit in due course. Glad you enjoyed my take on the vacancy chains ... <br /><br />@ Ann – so good to see you ... and yes like you .. the Man in the Brown Suit calls me to read about him .. <br /><br />@ Joylene – it’s just fun putting things together and making snippets of interesting information ... I certainly have learnt lots from these posts ... <br /><br />@ River – yes one poor crab with a rather unpleasant finish to life, and one who enjoys new homes! It was a pleasure to visit Untethered Realms ... <br /><br />@ Margie – many thanks – just always pleased you enjoy the posts and visiting .. thanks ...<br /><br />@ Sophie – you, like your sister, with your ghoulish stories should be too yukkified by this post! The natural world is extraordinary isn’t it .. <br /><br />I haven’t visited Wookey Hole, nor for that matter seen Cheddar Gorge ... and the Yorkshire ones you mention ... one day I must make some trips underground ... <br /><br />@ Sara – I know .. but nature is fascinating they way it works ... there are tons of hermit crabs aren’t there .. just from reading everyone’s comments, I’ve realised there must be lots of them ... and I’ve seen them wandering across the roads when they come ashore to breed – I think?<br /><br />I wonder how Agatha Christie treats the caves in her book – I’ll have to visit the library to get the book out ... and see what her take on it is .. man in the brown suit – doesn’t sound terribly appealing ... <br /><br />@ Sharon – many thanks .. glad you enjoyed the U – it was a good one to write ... <br /><br />@ Lisa – like you .. Torquay is now on my list to visit. Also the book ... and when the tide is really low again in about a month I must walk out to the tidal pools and see what gives ... taking me back to childhood ... How lovely to have memories of your hermit crab special book ... <br /><br />@ Mason – I find the info I find out interesting – so am glad you do too ... and the underground system I’ll be visiting on one of my trips to the west country ... <br /><br />@ Nas – yes the hermit crab has evolved to need another shell to protect its soft body – so you are absolutely right ... <br /><br />Thanks to you all – love all the comments and interest ... part 3 following ... Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1083300387280578862014-04-28T07:44:19.610+01:002014-04-28T07:44:19.610+01:00@ Tasha – useful for your ghoulish stories ... but...@ Tasha – useful for your ghoulish stories ... but yes symbiotic relationships are preferable. It’s near your neck of the woods in Somerset – and like you I hadn’t heard of these caves, nor have I seen the Yorkshire ones. Brilliant to have a ‘quiet’ visit without hoards of people ... and I note the cafe!<br /><br />@ Maggie – isn’t Mother Nature so clever ... and I think a few of us will be visiting those caves at some stage or another .. <br /><br />@ Juliet – the hermit crabs and anemones .. they were fun to find out about ..<br /><br />@ Damaria – I think that’s what happens .. they all line up and see who fits .. and then move in. Fascinating to think about it ..<br /><br />@ Cecilia – I’ve never thought about having a hermit crab as a pet ... interesting to watch though ... Cave systems in Australia must be amazing – I’ve never been ‘down under’ ..<br /><br />@ Susan – crabs and cuckoos not quite the same .. the crab is a symbiotic relationship – the cuckoo is just a thug ... eating its ‘parents’ and siblings out of house and home. The parasitic castrator is another story though ... also rather sad – but that’s life .. <br /><br />The caves do sound worth a visit – and when I next get down that way I shall call in ... I know nothing about Torquay either ... <br /><br />@ Kaushik – there’s a wealth of knowledge from times gone by in caves – I’m not that keen on visiting .. but I will out of interest – like you so much to see ... <br /><br />@ Rosie – well some large crustaceans can deliver a pretty big bite – so not silly ... and yes their shells are quite amazing aren’t they ... brilliant for artists to gain creative ideas from .. <br /><br />@ Sharon – poor crabs with their parasites, I know .. but the hermit crab in your class ... and you let the students care for him – good for the students! Glad he had a few other shells in his mini aquarium ... <br /><br />@ Bob – I know I emailed you re the answer from Wiki – but it appears the name came from a location called Kents Hole Close, which appeared on a 1659 deed when the land was leased to John Black ... <br /><br />... and William Petre 1571 and Robert Hedges 1688 left their names scraped onto stalagmites in the cave system ... <br /><br />Interesting to know about ... <br /><br />@ Keith – I must at some stage watch a programme about hermit crabs ... I’ve seen them, but not paid much attention to their habits .. <br /><br />@ Sue – yes the parasitic castigator could be exceedingly uncomfortable ... Finding out that both Beatrix Potter and Agatha Christie had visited or lived near by ... made for interesting correlations ... <br /><br />@ Fanny – the hermit crab I thought was in for a good life ... they just needed to find a dead hermit’s shell ... and they were happy – seemed a good system to me ... they outgrow the shell and then have to find a bigger one ... <br /><br />I went to the Cango caves, South Africa with my mother many years ago and yes we crawled through very narrow passages – I wasn’t that happy and was quite glad to get out! So I felt like you ... <br /><br />@ Jo – as per my answer to Bob above .. and yes lucky hermit crab - at least being able to move house, while the parasitic crab is a little much .. <br /><br />I hope to get to Torquay to see these caves .. <br /><br />@ Tina – yes the hermit crab real estate market .. is a good title isn’t it . Amazing how far people travelled in those days – always amazes me .. rough roads and rickety coaches ... <br /><br />@ Finley – good to meet you ... thanks for visiting ..<br /><br />Part 2 following .. lovely to see you all - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-16971993822600998912014-04-27T16:25:10.992+01:002014-04-27T16:25:10.992+01:00Reading this post reminded me of a visit to an aqu...Reading this post reminded me of a visit to an aquarium in Chicago.Julia Honeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08497316179340178624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-71409628913410182622014-04-26T11:16:49.985+01:002014-04-26T11:16:49.985+01:00I hadn't known about those caverns - or Agatha...I hadn't known about those caverns - or Agatha Christie and Beatrix Potter's connections to them. Must visit next time we're in the UK!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-64431105777820753152014-04-25T18:57:24.643+01:002014-04-25T18:57:24.643+01:00The caverns ... looks so mysterious.
The shape an...The caverns ... looks so mysterious. <br />The shape and colors of the Hermit Crab ... fascinating. Torquay looked very nice in 1811. Yes, the change is visible. Same place, very different look. Thank you, Hilary. Silvia Writeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14437144517262211712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60538323314496118172014-04-25T17:46:01.328+01:002014-04-25T17:46:01.328+01:00Another great post, Hilary. It's years since I...Another great post, Hilary. It's years since I read The Man in the Brown Suit. Must have a re-read. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05938431508430656253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84794827177425827012014-04-25T06:20:49.129+01:002014-04-25T06:20:49.129+01:00Did not know this about hermit crabs. I grew up co...Did not know this about hermit crabs. I grew up combing the beaches of Puget Sound in WA state. Saw lots of these crabs. This kind of behavior is common in the insect world, too. <br /><a href="http://shells-tales-sails.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Shells–Tales–Sails</a>Sharon Himslhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835934582653243661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-22632191780049458672014-04-25T05:13:17.765+01:002014-04-25T05:13:17.765+01:00Clever choice of a U word Hilary. I did not know ...Clever choice of a U word Hilary. I did not know much about hermit crabs...Slamdunkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13087161268629251860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-19419398386648967182014-04-25T04:30:14.562+01:002014-04-25T04:30:14.562+01:00I really never heard the story of hermit crabs...i...I really never heard the story of hermit crabs...interesting although a bit creepy....thanks for sharingPaulahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17406717262345866373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-50950441257371660102014-04-25T01:24:59.263+01:002014-04-25T01:24:59.263+01:00That sacculina thing creeped me out, but I'll ...That sacculina thing creeped me out, but I'll remember it :)-- thanks for sucha varied and interesting post!<br />Damyanti, Co-host <a href="http://damyantiwrites.wordpress.com/2014/04/24/atozchallenge-flashfiction-u-for-uncharted-worlds/" rel="nofollow">A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post</a><br /><br />Twitter: @AprilA2Z<br /> #atozchallenge<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283371140346602856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-2147102920811415642014-04-25T00:53:36.339+01:002014-04-25T00:53:36.339+01:00An Agatha Christie story I have not read--will hav...An Agatha Christie story I have not read--will have to see if I can get it. And, I remember my son having a hermit crab, I guess we bought it at a pet store. He did not last long, unfortunately. Always enjoy your blog, Hilary.loverofwordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763349886822924646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-46948809766694509712014-04-25T00:34:38.970+01:002014-04-25T00:34:38.970+01:00Forgive my error in my first comment. Make that 8 ...Forgive my error in my first comment. Make that 8 native peoples, of course, and not the 6 as I wrote.<br /><br />xoxoxooxxoJannie Funsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595786402510366043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-2097329174952405452014-04-25T00:32:17.681+01:002014-04-25T00:32:17.681+01:00I had several hermit crabs for kids as pets. I was...I had several hermit crabs for kids as pets. I was always worried they wouldn't like the shells I picked out for them! =)Leandra Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381034024025750992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-61292478909372349492014-04-25T00:32:00.093+01:002014-04-25T00:32:00.093+01:00Wow, can you imagine a video about all those 6 tri...Wow, can you imagine a video about all those 6 tribes on the Torquay, would love to see them chronologically presented, I wonder how primitive (or not) the very first of them were. But Alas, shall I ever witness such a movie? I suppose if archeologists and such could convey all the information to Hollywood, I might just see such a film! <br /><br />U is for Unbelievably Awesome is Hilary.<br /><br />xooxoxoxoxooxoxoJannie Funsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11595786402510366043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84929124409285188192014-04-24T22:30:48.126+01:002014-04-24T22:30:48.126+01:00Interesting post. I've seen crabs with thin co...Interesting post. I've seen crabs with thin coverings. I think this is why.Romance Reader https://www.blogger.com/profile/10633164931292182035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82562823562185446932014-04-24T21:54:22.597+01:002014-04-24T21:54:22.597+01:00I never knew that about the Hermit Crab, quite int...I never knew that about the Hermit Crab, quite interesting. The underground caves sound fascinating. They would be a great place to visit.Mason Canyonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10935307400882363560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82126432594526442702014-04-24T20:38:03.383+01:002014-04-24T20:38:03.383+01:00I love exploring caves so I think I'll have to...I love exploring caves so I think I'll have to visit Torquay someday. I'm also going to check and see if I've read the Man in the Brown Suit! I love tidal pools when the tide is out and one can see the life you write about here, hermits, anemones, crabs, etc. I had no idea about that parasite on the crabs. So sad.One of my favorite stories growing up was about a hermit crab...Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06658507579160418855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-36282117566829769282014-04-24T19:46:53.986+01:002014-04-24T19:46:53.986+01:00Interesting facts about crabs, caves and Agatha Ch...Interesting facts about crabs, caves and Agatha Christie's experience. Some lovely U words too! It's a lovely post, Hilary, thank you :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16308322887557661274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90959683800485583672014-04-24T19:23:22.606+01:002014-04-24T19:23:22.606+01:00ewwww...about the crab and the thing that eats it....ewwww...about the crab and the thing that eats it. I don't mind the hermit crabs, however. We used down near Key West almost every summer and there tons of hermit crabs. They cute dragging their shells along. It used to fascinate me. <br /><br />Now, talk about fascination...the caves. I read lot of British mysteries that have featured underground caves...but in those books they were usually used for nefarious purposes. <br /><br />I enjoyed "U" very much:~)Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15995684156785464334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-1833973927707925902014-04-24T17:35:29.998+01:002014-04-24T17:35:29.998+01:00Parasites yuk - symbiosis yay! Seeing the natural ...Parasites yuk - symbiosis yay! Seeing the natural world in harmony is uplifting. Hermit crabs lining up to try out a new shell must be quite a sight to see :).<br /><br />Cave systems can be spectacular - I've visited Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge and two lots of cave systems in Yorkshire, of which, unfortunately I have forgotten the names, and they all had wonderful formations in them. <br /><br />Sophie<br /><a href="http://sophiesthoughtsandfunmbles.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles</a> - A to Z Ghosts<br /><a href="http://fantasyboysxxx.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow">Fantasy Boys XXX</a> - A to Z Drabblerotic<br />Sophie Duncanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14768033409563305140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-21866882379760005602014-04-24T17:04:43.166+01:002014-04-24T17:04:43.166+01:00Fascinating post, as always, Hilary.
Poor crab, th...Fascinating post, as always, Hilary.<br />Poor crab, though.<br />You are doing a wonderful job with wonderful info on these posts AtoZ <br /><br />Thanks, Hilary Margiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14433759763753850718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-67064324540482323902014-04-24T16:30:46.160+01:002014-04-24T16:30:46.160+01:00Now I feel very sorry for the shore crab...and a b...Now I feel very sorry for the shore crab...and a bit "ewww" as well. :)<br />At least the hermit crabs are happy!<br /><br />Thanks for visiting the UR site today!<br /><br />River Fairchild – A to Z April Challenge <br /><a href="http://untetheredrealms.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Untethered Realms</a><br />River Fairchildhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15374958276717316437noreply@blogger.com