Monday 22nd April 2019

Spring is here.

In full force.

On Saturday, we stood on Samphire Hoe watching the newly arrived swallows and swifts, feeding in the updraughts on the chalk cliffs. They were singing with delight, we were in raptures.

The countryside is all a riot of colours and new growth. And once the sun is up, butterflies, birds and inspects are either feeding or doing what makes new generations of them, and being darned happy about it.

For us, just to be out there, among it all, is just wonderful.

With the amount of orchid sites to get round and record, it is difficult to know where to go first. But with social media acting as a billboard telling all who are interested what is out there, for those that know. And knowing is the knowledge.

Knowledge is fieldcraft, and those with the craft know where and when to be.

All it takes is a hint that the Duke of Burgundy were seen over the weekend, meant that we would be heading to Bonsai Bank forst thing, even if we didn't see a Duke, I could survey the huge crowd of Lady Orchids that are there at the same time.

So it came to pass we were parking the car at the end of the woodland walk just after nine, loaded with camera gear, and ambling down the track, just marvelling at the sights and sounds of springtime in the Kentish woodlands.

The woods are managed here, so there is just a hint of bluebells at their feet. Beside the lane, horsetails were sprouting what counts as twigs and branches.

And there is silence apart from the odd marsh tit singing for his life.

Inside the reserve, a single photographer sat staring at a bank of bushes. He had been there 90 minutes, and had seen no Dukes. Not a hint.

We stay and chat for a few minutes, but then walk to the other end where there is another Duke colony. We stay for half an hour, but see no Dukes there either. Spikes of Lady were everywhere, especially up the bank towards the road, in two weeks or so, these will be one of the sights of the Kentish season.

We walk back to the other end again, more snapper had turned up, we swap stories of butterflies mainly, but of orchids too.

It was now eleven and no sign of a Duke. There would be other times.

We take our leave and walk to the car, then drive to Yockletts again for another walk round the reserve's highlights.

What I really wanted to see, apart from checking out the Fly we had found on Friday, but also to see if a Green Hairstreak or two on the wing in the lower meadow.

It was now half eleven, it was warm. No, it was hot. I mean almost like high summer hot.

It was quite a slog to get up the down to the lower meadow. We rest to survey the meadow and to see if there was a shimmer of a Hairstreak. There was none.

So we carry on, down into the dell, and in the dip (a different one) where the Fly spike we found again, and another that had opened over the weekend.

On the other side of the road, lady, Twayblades and Greater Butterfly were all putting forth spikes, and further up Early Purples were out, as were three Lady spikes too.

The season is nearing its peak, the madness would only get worse from now on.

We were hot, bothered and thirsty, so we walk back through the reserve to the car, then drive to the garden centre at Petham before going to Bridge to the call at the village shop to buy a drink, as we were parched.

Two bottles of ice tea and we were back on form, but all we had to do was to drive home for lunch. unch was toasted saffron buns and a brew, then as Jools worked in the garden, I listen to the football whilst editing and writing.

Situation normal.

And then there is football: Norwich had three games to go, and really needed one more win to pretty much wrap up promotion. so I sit in front of te computer to watch the game unfold, and listen to the radio at the same time. Just the win needed.

And City took the lead in the first half, and seemed to be cruising, but concede just after half time to make it 1-1. Pukki scored a fine second with a header, but again Stoke pulled level again. And that is how it stayed.

City tried to score a winner, and came close.

But another draw, the fourth in a row.

Sheffield Utd won, so we were just three points ahead of them.

Leeds kicked off at quarter past five, and it seemed that our hope of promotion, let alone being crowned champions that day, were done for. But Leeds stumbled again, 1-0 down at half time against Brentford, with the Bees scoring a second after the break.

So, after being in despair at five, by seven Norwich were still six points clear, with two games to play, thus needing just a single point to secure promotion.

So close, close enough with the goal difference to say, we are up. Almost.

The day gets old, I cook garlic bread and prepare inslata, and at six we sit down to eat, the four day weekend having slipped by.

Where had that gone?

Jools pesters me to pay Uckers, and despite being miles behind, I snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Another one to the Jelltex.

Weekend over.