Saturday 30th August 2025

It am the weekend.

Jools had decided she wanted to try kayaking. Having done this once, I was good.

I would wander Grove Ferry Reserve at the same time.

The morning was not helped by me sleeping in to twenty to eight, meaning lots to do before leaving the house at half eight.

I had, at least, charged the camera battery the evening before, just had to remember to take the right lenses.

Traffic was a bit mad, but we made it to the Sandwich Road, then cruise along to the by-pass before heading across the marshes to Preston and beyond to Grove Ferry.

It was a glorious morning: bright sunshine and light winds, but that would soon change.

Jools checked in at the paddling place, I then wandered off over the road into the reserve.

I am desperate to see Bearded Reedlings, I have heard their chirping in the past, and maybe got a glimpse, but never a shot.

Along the track, stopping to take in the views at the raptor viewing point, then along to the hide.

Which was rammed.

One guy made room for me, so I could take shots of the birds in front of us. Nothing exciting until a Cormorant landed to dry its wings, then a Kingfisher landed on the dead branch in front of the hide, giving me grandstand views.

The best I have had of this spectacular bird.

Soon after a Marsh Harrier cruised by, then hovered for a moment, before dropping into the reeds for prey, unseen, at least by us.

I felt I had done enough in the hide, so made my excuses and left, walking a little bit further on before starting the walk back to the car so to be there at half ten when Jools should have finished.

Not much seen or heard, certainly no Reedlings, sadly. I did spot a Peacock butterfly basking, so snapped that with the big lens.

No sign of Jools back at the car, so I drove round to the paddling cabin to wait. It was then that I noticed the greasy spoon.

Suddenly, I was hungry.

So I walked up to the shed, ordered a sausage and bacon roll, and seeing Jools was back, a cheeseburger for her.

She was drenched, having fallen into the river when she was trying to get out of the kayak, but she was laughing about it.

We sat at a picnic table to eat, the warm sunshine drying her out somewhat. We ate well, then walked back to the car to drive back over the marshes to Ash then Sandwich and so to home.

Back home with little drama, in time for the football, though there were chores to do first.

The afternoon was a mix of watching and listening to football. And preparing dinner.

Dinner was defrosted ragu, pasta and unleavened stuffed focaccia, which again was a triumph.

Norwich win away at Blackburn, who had a plater sent off.

Happy days.

We ate whilst I had an eye on the evening game on the tellybox and Stuart spun discs on the wheels of steel, and read out a request from me, but will play the song maybe next weekend.

Dark by eight now.

Feels and looks autumnal.