Tuesday 28th April 2026

It is the start of the main orchid season.

Which means out and about whenever possible.

Which is why we were going to Marden again, this time to show a new friend, Iain, the delights of the meadow.

But first, it was to the gym for some phys. And truth be known, my heart wasn't in it, and Jools bailed. But Tuesdays are listening to the new Word in Your Ear podcast, and otherwise I would struggle to make time to hear it.

So after coffee I leave for the gym, and once parked, get down to some serious pedalling. And listening to the pod.

Main subject was the Michael Jackson biopic, of which I have views, as do they, but seems the lacking in the child sex allegations was a settlement with one of the victims that anything to do with that settlement and activity it covered, could not be mentioned. So, the film was partially reshot and the offending scenes cut.

I went to see Jackson in concert on the Bad Tour. And walked out after an hour, having seen enough.

My view is that if the whole story couldn't be told, then maybe the story should have been left unfilmed.

Anyway, I do my session, drive back home for a brew and shower, so to be ready when Iain came at nine, and we could leave.

Sadly, Jools had to wait in for a delivery. Which, did not arrive so she could have come along.

So Iain and I leave, and talk about orchids, of which he is a novice, but knows about plants and grasses.

As we were going past, I call in at Samphire Hoe so he could see the Early spiders by the traffic lights. I explained the insect mimicry.

And we drove on.

We turned off at Leeds, went through the village before turning to go down the escarpment and onto the Weald, passing the pub we would be eating lunch at.

We arrived at the reserve, and had the whole place to ourselves. Although my other friend called Ian would arrive soon. And sadly, the fine weather that was forecasted for the day six weeks ago was very wrong, as it turned out to be cloudy and breezy, but might get out later.

We walked into the reserve, through the first meadow where there are a few orchids, but into the second where there thousands and thousands of them.

I point out the colour variations, the variations in lip shape and pattern, all caused by small genetic changes.

Halfway round, Ian arrived. Hello Ian, this is Iain.

And Ian, where's Iain gone. Only when speaking the second I is silent, but made I laugh.

By the time we walked round the small third meadow and back to the car, it was quarter to opening time, and we had a table booked.

Since eating at the Kings Head in Sutton Valence two weeks back, have found out its just been voted the best pub in Kent, so that's a reason to o back.

I couldn't resist the double smash burger again, while Ian and Iain both had variations on the crispy pork belly.

It was splendid, as was the conversation.

But it was time to go home. So we bid farewell to Ian as he drive back towards Teston, and we turned back up the down to Leeds then to the motorway.

We got home at three, and Iain said goodbye and drove his car back to Deal and home.

And that was that.

By then, of course, the clouds had cleared, then sun come out, but was still cool.

So best have another brew to warm up.

We shared a pizza for supper, then I settled down to watch Southampton play Ipswich, and was a very entertaining 2-2 draw, even if Town did level in the last few minutes.