Friday 20th June 2025

Friday.

Nearly the weekend.

But then every day is the weekend.

Jools did not go to yoga due to her hurty leg, but was going to go to the craft morning at the local library.

After putting the bins out, we had breakfast and chilled out.

I dropped Jools off in the village on my way to Sandwich.

As the orchids were calling.

Again.

A lazy morning drive along the Eastry bypass, into Sandwich and out to the Bay, avoiding the amateur golfers at the open.

The observatory car park was pretty full, but I found a spot and walked over the road, camera in hand, heading to the slacks for some Marsh helleborine action.

The flowering of the helleborines mark the beginning of the end of the orchid season. Three more species to come after this, but, you now, nearing the end.

Not only that, some say that the Marsh helleborine is the best looking UK and Irish native orchid species, and they might be right.

They only grow in one public location in Kent, and in only one small area of extensive dune slacks, but that's where they like to grow,

I check in at the reception, and am given the green light to pass the ringing area.

There is a fine display of Southern Marsh, some at their peak, but many beginning to go over. And beyond were two areas of Marsh helleborines, with several spikes fully of partially open, with many more still unfurling.

I took shots using "live view", checked a few spikes to see how pale they were, then moved round to check the larger colony of Southern March, hoping to find a hybrid or two.

I had to go to the far fence, but there were three hybrids, and not that tall either, but showing the tell-tale spotted leaves of having some CSO DNA in them.

I also found six Yellow bartsias too, mixed in with the thousands of Yellow rattle.

Butterflies filled the air, but the strengthening breeze meant many we close to the ground, but good to see at least two Small Coppers.

I had done nearly 5,000 steps, should I go to the dragonfly pools, as this would double the step count?

I did go, against my better judgement, and di not regret it.

Though, no Dainties were seen, lots of Blue Tailed and Four-spotted skimmers were mating and laying eggs.

But it was hot

I walked back along the main road back tot eh car park. I called in the shop and bought a can of Coke and a Magnum.

I sat outside and ate the ice cream as the breeze cooled me down.

Back home then, getting back just gone one to find Jools had made cheese scones, so we ate the whole batch with a huge fresh brew.

Lovely.

The afternoon was hot, humid and so it was easy to sit on the patio and snooze, but making sure I was awake for the quiz.

And good news was that I won.

Yay.

And then another podcast interview regarding the 1999 horror flick, Blair Witch Project, and did it leave me disappointed?

Not quite.

But they were happy as the number of such interviews I have done makes me sound at home being taped and relaxed.

But early to bed, as we have to be up before dawn in the morning for "reasons".