20th May 2010
We don't Need No Education
Pink Floyd
An
early morning cycle down the precipitous road that goes towards Oldham, stopped
at reservoirs to explore the RSPB Reserve and searched around it, seeing a few
Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails but not a lot on the immense reservoir.
Cycling
on through the Oldham conurbation towards Bolton, a phone call came a Special
Needs school a few miles north asking whether I was available to visit.
Having
found the school, I was introduced to the staff and then some of the children.
The Secondary-aged children had a variety of complex, severe Special Needs and
the afternoon spent joining in with their lessons and activities was humbling,
hugely enjoyable and a true delight. The time went too quickly and my bike had
a few less passengers by the end of the school day; each child was able to
choose one of the cuddly toys, one of The Lads, to take home.
So
after such a fabulous and surprising day, I carried on towards Bolton's
outskirts and came across a series of large scrape-like pools. Not knowing
whether it was a nature reserve but with it looking 'birdy', I found an access
footpath and pushed the bike to the water's edge where a number of Little
Ringed Plovers skittered away along the muddy fringes. Redshanks as well were
seen, a great patch for some lucky birders.
Down
a cycle path avoiding the main roads I went, in the direction of Parbold.
Suddenly I came across Bolton Wanderers Football Club's training ground and not
wishing to miss out on a bit of footie, I cycled through the gate. Bolton's
third team were playing, and beating Manchester City's third team on a pitch
near the back of the complex and after having a bacon buttie in the café, and
having had a chat with a number of supporters there to watch the free football,
I went to watch a tall figure of a man playing football with a group of half a
dozen seven year olds. The fact that he was in goal as the nippers plied their
footballing skills for the adoring parents on the side lines gave a clue to his
identity. None other than Jayskalinum, the Bolton first team goalkeeper at the
time. I was extremely impressed that a Premiership goalkeeper of some note
would spend his evenings playing football with young children.
Later,
after cycling to and then down Parbold Hill, I reached Martin Mere WWT
reserve and pitched the tent on the car park before settling down for the
night. The day had had such variety and the long daylight hours had ensured a
good distance was covered.
Tickle My
Feathers
No comments:
Post a Comment