A UK Green and carbon birder, Gary Prescott aka The Biking Birder, is going to cycle from Acorns Children's Hospice in Walsall, UK to Malaga in Spain, following the route walked by the author Laurie Lee. Fundraising for Acorns Children's Hospice, the RSPB - Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Children's Book Project charity; there are JustGiving sites for each charity.
A long cycle ride today to get to beyond Lampeter but stopped at Wales' biggest
burial chamber, Pentre Ifan. What it must have looked like over 5 thousand
years ago.
Lunch at Cenarth after a walk to the river rapids and waterfalls. The local pub
was the venue with a large roast beef meal for £3.95. fabulous value.
Was getting increasingly disappointed by the amount of plastic rubbish,
especially in the streams and rivers. The view from nearly every bridge stopped
at was not dippers and grey wagtails but plastic bags. One such stop had the
view marred by 6 large pieces of plastic and the remains of a dumped 5 bar
gate. Sad.
Came across the house where with fabulous friends, Pat & Mal and their three girls, my second wife, jane and our two children had a very cramped but lovely holiday. Incredible to be invited inside and see just how tiny the cottage was.
Camped atop the first big hill SE of Lampeter - mistake, it was freezing but
the morning brought compensations.
Up early to a frosty start with ice on the tent; a feature that would occur in
increasing amounts over the coming mornings. Met Andy, a birder from Kent and
together we tried to get views of the reeling Grasshopper Warbler.
The place I had camped in was an artist's creation; a field with various ideas
of material use and planting not 'left to nature'.
The artist had left a flag
flying and a wooden mushroom upon which I sat eating my bowl of muesli. Felt
like Kevin Costner in Dances with Wolves and kept humming the theme tune to
myself. The frontier of my sanity perhaps.
Boat over to Ramsey, meeting 2 children on the way, Ben and Ella whose father
has a farm which he uses to help wildlife. Ben was on a work experience week
with the RSPB from school and they both talked with pride about their Dad's gig
racing exploits. I had a brief go sitting at the boat's wheel pretending to
steer it.
I was met at the quay by Greg and Lisa, the delightful married couple, wardens
of Ramsey and met also by two volunteers; one named Lyndsay, the other a Deputy
Head on a working holiday.
I walked alone around this beautiful island, clockwise, enjoying the amazing
views on this clear sky day. Many Wheatear seen with some males displaying
their territorial rights. Also a few pairs of Chough and a beach on the west
side with 73 Grey Atlantic Seals on it. Few other birds around but 36 plastic Puffins
were on view in a western valley. These are decoys to hopefully attract real Puffins
to land and breed.
I sang whilst walking, as always. Well, when I am not whistling but always
listening. Luckily for them, there were only twelve people on the island at the
time. I made up some silly words to the song Oklahoma, in Bill Oddie's Little
Black Bird book style.
Here is the first verse :-
Oh for Fair Isle
Where the birds rain down into the mist
Where the sound of chak
Will set you back
As you lift your bins up by the wrist
It
goes on in the same vein - have a go singing it and then add your own bits. Do
you want the chorus? You are going to get it anyway :-
We know you spent
more than a grand
Just to see a tatty warbler in the hand
But when you find
A first bird of that kind
Then you'll cry out
You're really great
I love Fair Isle
I love Fair Isle OK
OK OK OK
FAIR ISLE
Maybe
I should leave it there but there are lots more verses. Fun, eh?
Red Deer and Rock Pipits at the northern end of the island and then goodbyes at
the quay. One of the highlights of my trip so far, Ramsey.
I cycled to beyond Fishguard in the evening with thoughts about when the
moderately strong N – NE, in my face cold wind was ever going to stop.
Incredible
how I the wind plays such a crucial part in how a day on the bike pans out.
Behind you and the world is heavenly. In your face and everything is hellish. The cause of future cycling paranoia, why is it always pushing me back and never behind me! LOL.
