Monday 2nd May 2022

Bank Holiday (UK)

Despite not being socialist, mores the pity, the Monday after May 1st is always a bank holiday here, where in the more radical Europe, it is not. Only when on a weekday.

Well, I for one will enjoy our day off while my colleagues toil and earn their crusts.

I would spend the morning, at least, orchiding.

Of course.

The sunshine that was forecast, again didn't appear, so any hope of seeing a Duke of Burgundy or two would hinge on the sun breaking through. Jools said she would stay at home, so after coffee and croissants, I set off.

Nothing really oon the road, until I got near to the Lydden Hill circuit, where there was a queue of a couple of miles from London for a day of "drifting" or something. Most of the cars were modified, souped up or something. The unexpected jam lead to a couple of accidents, lots of broken plastic body parts lay on the hard shoulder.

But London-bound it was fine. I cruised on.

I turned off and went through Bridge, to Lower Hardes and finally through Petham to the familiar parking slot outside Denge Wood. I just had to wait for Terry and Ian to arrive. I had given them a post code near to where I was waiting. Near, but not close enough.

They were due to be there by half eight. The parking area lay in a dip surrounded by trees. It was a mobile phone dead zone. I could receive no calls, nor make any. The four cars that drove past in the next hour contained neither of my friends.

So, I set off to walk to Bonsai, sending a message when the track turned left, and then I recieved the messages from Ian. They were walking towards the reserve, we shall meet there.

Perhaps.

So, from different directions we walked to Bonsai. I sent Ian the what three words location for where I was.

And waited.

And waited.

I checked and no Dukes were seen at all.

I could hear voices.

It was Ian and Anna, who were the other side of the fence, and out of sight. Gor (your) left to the end of the path, turn sharp left and I will be waiting.

I was waiting, but between us a lady with two dogs almost the same as Ian and Anna have.

Woof.

We finally met, and we went hunting for Dukes.

None found.

But we did find the White Spotted Sable Moth, tiny and perfectly formed, and snapped.

Lots of Early Purples, but few Lady Orchids already in flower, but lots of spikes.

Two hours later we were done, no Dukes, but two species of moths seen, and lots of orchid rosettes seen.

I bid them farewell and walk back to the car, my back grumbling as I went, with snails overtaking me as I groaned my way up the gentle slope.

I went home via Lydden to see the Man Orchids.

Not as many out as I hoped, but a fair few partially open, with many more to come. I snap a few, then gird my loins to haul my sorry ass over the style and drive home. It was half one, and we had a tip run booked.

We had toast for lunch, then load the car up with junk, including two crates of empty beer bottles. Farwell guys, we had fun.

Back home in time to watch some football, though I did cook dinner, fritters, though I made too many, which we eat and would regret that well into the wee small hours.

Man Utd played Brentford, and was pretty dull. I went to bed at half time, and slept long and well.