Hungry caterpillars at Dr Jenner's museum

After yesterday's party I was quite happy to take things very slowly this morning. It was after midday that Helena suggested going for jaunt to another historic house as this was the last day of her holiday. I was e]very happy to and after a little research she suggested going to Dr Jenner's museum in the village of Berkeley which is sited very close to the River Severn estuary and near to Sharpness where I saw the tall ships going out to see last weekend.

The museum was fascinating and was built in his house which dates from Georgian times. In fact it was from exactly the same period as the small farmhouse house I grew up in in Surrey so it brought back many memories. Woodpeckers has described it well in her blip entry today, so I won't repeat matters, excepting to say for those who don't go there, that Dr Jenner was the man who produced the first workable vaccine for smallpox back in the late 18th century. We have a lot to be grateful to him for.

We also explored the grounds of the house where there is a herb garden and a wonderful purpose built glass vinery. Helena pointed out to me some caterpillars she noticed busy gobbling way at the leaves on this rose bush close to the hips. Once I saw them I knew I had to change to my macro lens and then got rather carried away. There were several clusters of them in small groups and now I am home I have tried to identify them and think they are similar to West Tent caterpillars. But if you never better do tell me. I have added a few more pictures to this Flickr gallery to show different angles and details of these amazing insects. It was quite breezy and shooting handheld was a bit tricky, but worth it.

We then went to have a quick look at the 12th century church and its unusual separate tower before heading a few miles further down to the river. There we crossed the Sharpness canal bridge and walked along the banks of the River Severn to enjoy delightful peace looking across the sand bars and mud flats at low tide. I will probably add some pictures from there to the gallery too, but sleep is calling me again now.

UPDATE:
Hillyblips has kindly identified them as Buff Tip Caterpillars, which i have never heard of, but she found them in her garden a couple of years ago! Thanks, Hils!