Friday, 18 April 2025

BIKING BIRDER I May 8th 2010 Point of Ayr and Local Poet

 

8th May 2010  

War, What is it good for? 

Frankie Goes to Hollywood

On awakening in the morning, a Whinchat [193] was just outside the tent and greeted me as I opened the flap. Nice start to the day from an incredibly beautiful bird singing perched on a thistle but still that nagging NE wind. I met Mike Ratcliffe, a local birder and together we went down onto the sands to 'have a look'. Little terns, lots of them flying high and landing inside the electrified fencing were interesting. Great to be with a talented, dedicated birder and the conversation was appreciated.

To Point of Ayr RSPB reserve and after a meeting with a local OAP poet, whose work was recited over a coffee after I had been invited in. She was so proud of her poems and indeed showed me a letter from ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown praising her work. All the poems were about the army and she sold them to raise money for the charity, Help the Heroes.

I met Geoff, the warden of the reserve and his wife Jude. A fabulous couple of hours spent with maybe few birds, Whimbrel being the highlight, but what a great couple. Brilliant to meet them.
A carvery for £3.50. Food!!!! After a few days of Primula sandwiches (I wonder if they will sponsor me for the plug I have just given them?) it was a delight to have three different meats and as much veg as wanted.


Next a visit to the lovely St Asaph’s Cathedral, the twelfth Cathedral I had visited on the tour and two, about 10 year old girls were looking around too. One of the girls was there because her Granny had just died and she wanted to come to the Cathedral to think of her.


I cycled on and got to the entrance to the Black Grouse site and erected the tent, meeting Ian the owner of the Mountain Bike Centre, as I set up the tent. Now how to make one feel humble. Ian has cycled over the Himalayas and his talk of his travels made my trip look like a bike ride through a park. Fantastic bloke and his Mountain Bike Centre is brilliant.

Tickle My Feathers



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