Biking Birder VII
The Laurie Lee Adventure
Back in 1934, a young man named Laurie Lee walked away from his home in the village of Slad, Gloucestershire, UK.
The cycle back along the route taken in the morning to get to Acorns Children's Hospice had the same Grey Herons standing by the canal but a Kingfisher sitting on a branch over the river was a colourful addition to the growing Biking Birder VII adventure trip bird list, now up to
Cycling through West Bromwich I suddenly come across an Asian sweet shop.
Gerundula by Status Quo
First of the many potholes that will be photographed over the coming weeks. During past Biking Birder adventures I have always said that I will publish a book about the appalling tarmac and large potholes that I have seen but that my title for such a book has already been stolen from me . . .
Detailed in the autobiographical book, As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, tells the story of a young man, nineteen years old, seeking adventure.
From his home, Laurie walked first Southampton in order to see the sea; something Laurie had never seen.
Disappointed with his first view as the sea at Southampton was muddy, Laurie found that he could make a living by busking with his violin. Therefore he continued along the south of England coast to Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Worthing before heading north to London.
From London, after a year working as a labourer on building sites, Laurie took a ship to Vigo in Northern Spain and from there walked, eventually to a beach east of Malaga.
My aim is to cycle his route with the occasional detour to visit nature reserves, particularly RSPB and W&WT ones and sites of interest, such as Stonehenge.
Hence Biking Birder VII begins . . .
April 1st 2025 BIKING BIRDER VII
Part Two The RSPB and Sandwell Valley RSPB Reserve
RSPB Dawn Chorus Soundscape
The cycle back along the route taken in the morning to get to Acorns Children's Hospice had the same Grey Herons standing by the canal but a Kingfisher sitting on a branch over the river was a colourful addition to the growing Biking Birder VII adventure trip bird list, now up to
Into the hide at Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve, the RSPB reserve where I had an interview for the warden's position back in the 80s and the RSPB reserve that started all of my Biking Birder adventures back in 2010.
Thirty bird species seen from the hide . . .
Birds to see, friends to chat with, all delightful and with the beautiful blue sky weather all quite enchanting. LOL.
Time to ask the questions!
Tom (RSPB volunteer)
Favourite piece of music?
Why Do You Always Call Me by Arctic Monkeys
Favourite children's book when a child?
Biggest passion in life?
Birdwatching
Favourite film?
Other people in the hide might not answer all four questions, still there answers given add to the diversity.
Sue (RSPB Volunteer)
Favourite piece of music?
Help Me Make it Through the Night by John Holt
Favourite children's book when a child?
Favourite film?
Up to the visitor's centre and chats with friends.
Today's meet & Greet volunteer is selling wooden and felt bird ornaments she has made herself and she kindly gives me a Robin.
The privilege of being a volunteer here is not lost on me and I will be back here in the summer, July in fact, standing behind the counter Meeting & Greeting. Wonderful.
Time to go, time to circumnavigate the reserve's lake and head off south once more.
Now I am supporting the RSPB through a fundraising page on JustGiving and if you could be wonderful and give a donation I will fly as high as a (Red) Kite!
Walking with couples through Sandwell Valley whilst pushing the bike, people can be lovely.
£5 spent, I have a box full of honey dripping sweets full of memories from when I was a teacher at the most fabulous Primary School, Merridale in Wolverhampton.
A Secondary School with students coming out has a security guard by one of the gates. I stop for a chat and so meet Karl.
Favourite piece of music?
Gerundula by Status Quo
Another security guard, Paul wants to talk about his favourite music.
Autumn Forever - War of the Worlds
First of the many potholes that will be photographed over the coming weeks. During past Biking Birder adventures I have always said that I will publish a book about the appalling tarmac and large potholes that I have seen but that my title for such a book has already been stolen from me . . .
Fifty Shades of Grey!
Back where I watched the sunrise this morning, with the sun now causing long shadows as it sets in the west.
Back home for the last night at Mum's before heading south and getting the Biking Birder VII adventure really going.
15.51 miles there, to Acorns Children's Hospice in Walsall and 16.80 miles back.
So 32.31 miles cycled and feeling GREAT!
No aches, no pain, no puncture, everything feels and looks good for tomorrow's send off.
Tickle My Feathers
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