Tuesday 19th August 2025

Back in May, a fellow from Walmer posted shots of a colony of Bee Orchids growing in a shared lawn where he lives, and did any member of the Hardy Orchid Society want to go along to see them.

Who doesn't love a Bee Orchid?

So, one Sunday we went along, saw the 60 or so spikes and thanks him for sharing. He had never seen an Autumn Lady's Tress, so asked if we could help.

Tuesday was the day we helped.

I helped.

After coffee, we went to Tesco for the big shop, back home for breakfast. And before we had time to wash up, time to leave to drop Jools off for her aquacise, then I dashed to Walmer to pick the guy up.

Roger has 15 years on me, so we're both not as mobile as we once were, so once we had parked behind the Old George and Dragon, we grabbed our cameras and walking poles, then set off up the steps into the wood.

Down the slope I struggled at first to find any more spikes. Then I saw one.

Two.

Three.

Six.

A dozen.

So more than enough, and some in groups of two or more.

We got down to take shots, and while I left Roger to finish, I walked back up the slope to go to the meadow below to look for Autumn gentians, only to find another dozen ALTs that I had failed to spot on the way down.

In the next meadow, I see several butterflies: Meadow Brown, tatty Chalkhills, a Small Heath and a bright male Adonis fluttered by.

I found the gentians, photographed a couple, by which time Roger was waiting, so I went back up to meet him, and together we walked back down, stopping only for me to show him the Ploughman's Spikenard.

He was underwhelmed.

Down to the car, so I could drive him home, then call Jools to find where she was: on the bus to Folkestone.

She would get off at Priory station and we would go to Folkestone together, as I needed a haircut.

Again.

I rushed along, as much as you can, the Deal Road, past the Castle and into Dover. Jools was waiting on the Old Folkestone Road, while I was down outside the station.

Once she had come down the steps, we drove off towards Townwall Street and up Shakespeare on the A20 towards Folkestone.

Folkestone is busier on a week day than on Sunday, but not by much. The days when there would be crowds of shoppers seem long gone, at least on the High Street.

We were going to have an early lunch, but in the eatery of choice they served breakfast until midday, so I would go for a haircut first, whilst Jools when to the book store, and we would return after midday.

I had a good trim. But it felt good on what was a cloudy but humid day.

Jools was done, waiting outside, so we walked down to the Market Square, where we took a table inside. I ordered a trio of chicken and dips, Jools had a satay salad.

And we waited.

It was like being on holiday. Nothing to rush around or back home for, just have some good food, people watch and sip my beer.

We did go home, along to A2 and up Jubilee Way. Traffic was light, the sun shone, it was a grand afternoon. And somehow it was nearly two in the afternoon.

Jools had bought fancy cake for us, so we had that at about four with a coffee, not needing supper at all.

Cats were fed, Scully dealt with, and then relax for the evening, as I watched the delights of Colchester v Cambridge. A local derby. Somehow, Cambridge came from behind to win 2-1 with two goals in two minutes just before half time.

I had some wine as I watched.

My friend Simon supports Cambridge, so its nice to watch the game hoping your friend's team wins.