Friday 7th June 2019

Having been away eight days on a row, I had Friday off.

Which was nice.

Only there were a million and one things to do, most of which involved orchids. Being the all round good egg, I volunteered to take a bloke to see the Late Spdiers up on Folkestone down, I thought after dropping Jools off at work I would have loads of time.

THat was without factoring in yoga.

She had a class booked for quarter past six, meaning we had to be left the house by six, and I dropped her off ten minutes later down by the harbour. I could have wandered around, taking pictures, but with the weather cool and overcast, I stayed in the car and read the rail magazine. As you do.

At half seven, Jools comes out of the class, and we have just half an hour to nip over to Hythe to get her to the factory in time for work. And after that I had to rush over to the down to meet with a bloke from Sevenoaks to show a bloke the Kentish speciality, the late Spiders.

John is waiting, so after shaking hands, we drive up the lane to the parking space, then walk through the gate and up the down to the fenced off area. He is happy enough to see a single spike, but the bank is full.

I leave him to it, and wander further, searching for a fabled colony of the rare orchids. And after half an hour, I find the tiny spikes int eh long grass. These are easier to photograph, so we both take our fill.

We walk back to the car, then bid farewell, as he ants to find more of the rare orchids, and i have to search for the tiny and unassuming Musks.

Musk Orchids are tiny, green, and very hard to find. I have spotted them from the middle of May in previous years, but this year, no luck. But, today, I was determined.

The Musk are concentrated in small area in one paddock of the reserve, and in an areas about 2 square metres.

I search and search, but see no sign.

I decide to go to look for the Greater Butterfly, which are in full bloom, and in total, 18 spikes showing well.

Best ever year, in fact.

I walk back, scour the path, and suddenly see two tiny spikes, of the right shape and colour.

Bingo.

The two tiny spikes were Musk, just big enough to have begun to flower. So I snap them, and take a shot with the biggest spike next to a 20 p piece.

I decide I would end up at Hothfield, so on the way was another LSO site; so along narrow lanes and through sleepy villages I go until in the crease of land below a huge down, I park beside the road, and walk over the stile, thoug a meadow full of crosswort, and find on a hillside, about twenty cages, and inside each, at lrast one spike of the rarest of UK orchids.

I say that, though there are now rarer orchids, but this is only found in Kent, and only if you know where.

Each spike is different, shape, colour and pattern; all different.

I photograph them all, because, why not?

From there it was a short run to Ashford, then out the other side to hothfield, but before I arrive there, the rain starts. It was alreadygloomy, but the rain makes it seem like evening.

I go to a greasy spoon for a sausage and bacon stick, with a strong brew. I make those disappear, and the rain fell just as hard.

I make the decision to go home. Wise as it turns out, as the rain falls harder and harder, making driving on the motorway difficult, but in 25 minutes, I was back home.

I make a brew, make a cheese toastie, and review my shots. The ring flash really made the difference, as I have so many great shots.

At quarter to two, I go to collect Jools, and when I leave it is still pouring with rain. By the time I get to Hythe it is sunny and perfect orchid snapping conditions. MY gear is back home.

We go home, have an ice cream and another brew. And as I prepare dinner, Jools does some gardening as the day goes from afternoon to evening.

Dinner is nachos, again, and beer.

Which is testament to Jools' salsa and other dips.

We eat well, washed down with a beer.

And the day is nearly done. We have a week's Monty to catch up on, and once that is done, we go to bed. As tomorrow, we have entertaining to do.