Wednesday 25th May 2022

I am aware that this week is a bit orchid-centric. It happens at this time of year. Might return to normal next week, but then I am planning on visiting Kenfig Reserve then, so who knows?

But then again, so read these just for orchids.

So, something for everybody, I hope. Always amazes me that people read my words to be honest. But there you go.

I had so much planned for this week, and then the weather doesn't play ball, so Mondya was a washout, half of Tuesday too. So, time for catch up.

I think I was out and abaout early as the forecast was for sunshine early on, so I wanted the best of it, and my target was Sandwich Bay and the Lizards.

My Republican mind has been settled as the estate is not owned by the 15th Earl or Baron or somewhere, but is a trust of those who live there, and the money generated by tolls ploughed back to look after the estate.

What's not to like?

Well, I became a member of the Bird Observatory this year, meaning I don't have to pay to get onto the estate at all.

Which is nice.

I drove over to Sandwich, then through the housing estate to the, er, estate, no one at the booth, but I had my pass. I drove through and parked at the observatory.

I grabbed my camera, and walked back over the main road, across the meadow, before turning right to check on any sleepy dragon or damselflies that might be waking up.

None found.

Though I did surprise a family of rabbit, nibbling at the grass. I snapped one of the babies.

Just like that.

Back to the path and across the golf course, with just a couple of hard core ball-whackers out in their plus-fours and jumpers. I nod to them and cross the fairway. In theory they have to give way to me.

I saw the first Lizards, just spikes beginning to turn green, along with three spikes of wild asparagus. I resit the temptation to break one off, no matter how sweet it might be, as it needs to mature and produce the next generation.

Also at the Bay are Broomrapes.

Broomrapes are parasitic plants that leach on the roots of other plants. Many have specialised in a particular host plant, like ivy or knapweed. But here, a very rare species have bedstraw as its host, and emit a faint smell of cloves. So have the common name, clove-scented broomrape. I find the first spike at the edge of the fairway, so I lean to to sniff the plant to confirm the clove smell, and got it confirmed.

In fact, the dunes were covered with dozens of spikes of the same plant, by far the best display I have ever seen.

Lizards are going to have a good year, as long as dog-walkers don't park their cars on them. But there are hundreds and hundreds of spikes, so no real danger of them dying out.

I walked all the way down to the entrance to the other golf course, but could find no Bee Orchids, but a few Pyramidals were out, and everywhere there were Lizards.

I walk back to the path entrance, then across the golf course where a few more golfers were about, I stopped to let a pair take their shots. I'm sure they had a great time, but not as good as me, broomrapes and orchids, and walking.

I get back tot he car, then drive off the estate, back through the town to the by-pass and back to Dover so I could have some breakfast.

The wind really got up, and cloud rolled over. It would have been easy to stay indoors for the rest of the day, but I decide to go to Braham to check on the Ladies in the woods.

First I went to the site near the old railway bridge, go up the track as I seem to remember seeing lots of Fly spikes a couple of years back. I found no fly, but over 20 White Helleborine, all in tip top condition.

I take shots of a couple, check out for any Sword-leaved, then walk back to the car and drive to the wood.

It was getting very gloomy, but I went off, found the White Lady, thought looking very sorry with many of the newer flowers having either been nibbled or fallen off.

I check a few more spikes, but to be honest, I have photographed so many Lady Orchids this season, when do you stop?

I walk back to the car, and a gentle rain was being whipped by the wind. So, I take myself back to Barham, then onto the A2 and home via Barfrestone, where a sign says that due to theft the church will remain closed for the foreseaable future.

So sad.

I get home, have a brew, and keep my coat on. I have to get the washing in as sheets of rain sweep down the valley. It felt like November.

I am getting pooped.

I make a brew, then prepare dinner; courgette fritters with an extra shake of curry powder. They come together quickly, a quick mix, a spash of lime juice, and done.

Just wait for Jools to come home and begin cooking spoonfuls of gloop into gold, crispy snacks. We eat them still hot, I open a bottle of wine, and all is wellw ith the world.

I get a message in the evening, could I show a guy round some orchid sites in the morning?

Yes. Yes I could.