Saturday 28th November 2020

The weekend.

And for a change, the weekend brought with it, at least for one day, the promise of unbroken sunshine and light winds. Perfect conditions for, well, for what? Well, photography, walking in the countryside, walking and snapping.

Where to go?

Well, I have always wanted to a see a certain species of bird, there are a few places in Kent where you can see Bearded Reedlings (Tits), and Stodmarsh was the nearest. And we knew how to get there.

Instead of going to the village, I thought we would start from the Grove Ferry end.

Grove Ferry used to be an actual ferry, which carried cars, lorries, horse and carts over the river, to a level crossing then on up the hill towards the Canterbury to Thanet high road. The Ferry is long gone, but the Grove Ferry Inn is still there, as is the level crossing, though the trains have changed somewhat.

Anyway, that's where to go. We have coffee, then I make bacon butties with smoked back so thick each rasher is like a gammon steak. That's what you get when you buy from an actual butcher. We tidy up, gather our stuff and load the car.

And go.

We drive along to Sandwich, then take the Canterbury road, turning off for Nash, then to Preston, past the butchers and across the marshes to Grove Ferry.

The glorious morning had given way to mist, the sun heavily diffused, but breaking through at times to make trees and buildings erupt in colour like they were on fire.

We park, put on our walking shoes, but instead of heading out onto the reserve, I feel that the river might offer good photographic opportunities. I was right, the river stretched in either direction, boats moored on either bank were reflected in the mirror-like water of the Stour.

There were fishermen in place, so not wanting to disturb them too much, I take a few shots, stepping over the net-poles they had in the river in anticipation of a catch.

We leave them to it, walk back through the car park, over the main road and into the reserve.

At first there was no need for boots, as the ground was firm enough, if well travelled, so we wandered along, marvelling at the sight of the sun to the south, breaking through the mist creating stunning shapes and patterns through the reedbanks. Whilst on the other side, more reeds rse up, but lit by the sun, and glowing like they had caught fire.

I took shots of everything.

Just in case.

There was a mound to the side of the path, the seats offering fine views over the reserve, so we go up and hope that maybe the birds will come to us. Into the sun, there was a pond, and a large group of birds was making a hck of a noise, I take shots with the nifty and the big boys lens, and thanks to the latter was able to identify them as Lapwings due to their head crests.

A bird landed in the reeds at the foot of the bank, and I saw what I am pretty sure was our quarry; a shame then that this was the only sighting we had of the buggers all morning.

We walk back down and on, looking back to where we had just been standing, I see a small reddy-brown bird. I take shots, hoping it was a Reedling, but review of shots who it to be a Stonechat.

In the bench below I see another bird, an as yet identified warbler, but I suspect it to be a Cetti's Warbler.

I get a shot.

We walk on, I talk to a fellow photographer who informs us that a Dartford Warbler had been seen, and that the sunshne should bring out the Reedlings.

It may have done, but we don't see them.

A large slow moving birds swept low over the reedbeds, a March Harrier, on the lookout for prey. I take shots but the camera was on the wrong setting.

Sigh.

We take a path to the river bank, where we find all the mud in Kent had been waiting for us.

We walk upstream for a while, then finding the vegetation didn't thin out, we walk back to the car, slowly picking our way round and through the mud, our boots becoming heavier and heavier with the mud clagging to us.

The bonus of being near the river was able to spot trains on the line just the other side. And near to Gove Ferry, a down service appeared and was reflected perfectly in the still waters of the river.

I take lots of shots.

The only downside was reaching the Ferry, a large family group made of at least three generations, walking down the path, not socially distancing from each other or me, walking bay almost touching my elbow, still enaged in loud conversation. This is why Kent is in the high tier now.

I calm down as we get back to the car, change footwear and climb into the Audi; it was half eleven, and we were hungry. Should we call in at a shop or go straight home?

Straight home it was, with the day now clear as all mist and fog had lifted.

We get home, put on the kettle and make a brew.

We eat the Portuguese custard tarts, but still hungry break out the cheese, crackers and wine.

That's better.

And so begun the grand review of 400 shots, listening to the radio, and surrounded by hungry cats and kittens.

At three, the football begun, Norwich are in the middle of their worse injury crisis ince the last one, with 11 players out for one reason or another, and having no fit strikers. We take the lead, and it seems the patched-up team would hange on, but in the last minute coventry level.

Oh well.

Outside it was dark, and there was another pass of the International Space Station, so on our way to the car, we stop in the garden and look for the slow moving bright light. Jools sees it, a dull red dot passing silently overhead, and on that dot were several people. We wave at them, then go to the car

Jen wanted to cook for us, and we did not complain, so we drove to Whitfield, only to find the road off the roundabout blocked by a long queue of cars waiting to get into McDonalds.

Really?

Yes, really.

But there is another way, so we go down towards Pineham, then take the road back through the estate, and arrive at Jen's with the meat just finished cooking, and cooling ready to be carved. I carve, Jen dishes up, and we eat well. Very well. Nothing like a roast at the end of a busy day.

And then down to cards, two hands of Meld which Jen wins both of, and so is very happy.

Too late for another game, so we go home where we have cheese and wine for supper.

I slept well.