Tuesday 28th December 2021

Boxing Day (Official).

I have no idea what day of the week it is really, I look at the calendar and it tells me it's Tuesday, but who really knows and does it matter?

First up, let me say the spate of migraines have stopped. Which I am very happy out, to think that something in your head was out of control and was it warnings of something more serious?

I took pankillers, eased off the coffee, and by Tuesday I felt OK enough to risk a coffee at breakfast, with no ill effects.

So, all good here.

A friend of mine had posted shots of a White Stork which has taken up residence on Worth Marshes, just north of Deal, so I suggested we go and have a hunt.

It was agreed, and I scouted a parking spot on GSV.

We had walked the marsh about a decade ago when we were in the Ramblers, but a route march across the marsh was the straw that broke the camel's back. Was supposed to be an easy walk, but one of the group hi-jacked it and turned it into what seemed the march of if not death, then something close. Turns out we both like to walk, if not in silence, whispering and taking time to look at nature. So we left the Ramblers.

Anyway, back to 2021. I made bacon butties for breakfast and huge brews. Once cleared up, we load the car with cameras and walking boots, and drive up through Walmer, Deal, Sholden to Worth.

The wind was due to be at gale force, but didn't seem that bad, and the low sun cast a warm light on the marshes just up the lane leading from the main road.

We set off, past a camping site offering "glamping" in VW camper vans, aone out onto the marsh. We were looking for a large white bird.

Jools saw two large birds, I raised the camera and saw they were swans, but I snapped away anyway.

Behind us, the wind was really sweeping the clouds across the sky, and soon the sun was covered, and there was rain in the air. After asking a dog-walker if he had seen the bird: he hadn't, he told us the path was blocked at the pumping station by the river, so we decided to walk there and back.

It was now getting cold and grey, and the promise of rain was made, as drizzle was thrown in our faces as we turned for the car.

My back had now added it's complaints to that of my feet, so the walk back was a tad grim, but it was only about twenty minutes, arriving back and slumping into the car, jamming the heater onto max, and driving home.

I make it sound bad, but a walk is never wasted, and this wasn't, to see the two swans fly so close and silently by and land 50m away was worth it.

We drove home, and once back inside I put the kettle on and make warming brews, while outside the rain lashed down.

That'll do, Pig.

For the afternoon there was lunch: warmed up turkey and ham pie with curried rice. Amazingly filling.

Phew.

And for the afternoon there was the "joy" of watching Norwich play Palace on Amazon Prime.

Norwich have 11 players out, most first choice players, but we have to play on, other teams are allowed to cancel their games. No reasons given.

But that is no excuse for the pathetic and gutless first half that left us 3-0 down against an average Palace team we made to look like 1970 Brazil.

We drew the second half 0-0, but the damage done.

We play cribbage in the evening; Jools wins. Then have cheese and crackers for supper, while I watch Leicester beat Liverpool 1-0.