Monday 18th May 2026

The orchid season can be a mad time.

I once thought that being retired meant there would be time to get round all sites, and explore new ones.

But the weather gets in the way, as does life, but it is still good to get out and see what's about.

Jools asked me once why we keep going back to the same sites? Well, in case something rare and/or interesting pops up.

And this week, something interesting did pop up.

It was a Monday. Jools no longer goes swimming as it was too much before her keep fit class on Tuesdays, so in theory we could have a lay in. But we're both up just after five, feeding the cats.

I had an appointment in Deal at half eight, so Jools said she would walk there and meet up at nine. So she set off at six, just as the heavens opened. As the rain got heavier, I thought she might turn back, but she kept on going.

She went down The Dip then along Otty Bottom Road, no pictures of that, as I was home washing up and making myself a brew.

Eight came, so I drove to Deal, and nabbed a parking space on the main road near the Castle, walked to the clinic and waited.

My feet were checked, rubbed, sanded and creamed. All fine.

By which time Jools was waiting at the car, so I ambled back to the main road, and took us home where we both had a brew.

Despite the forecast being for showers, it was bright but breezy, and there seemed little sign of rain.

So I took a chance, hopped in the car to one of the secret orchid sites I can't name.

Through town, up the A20 to Folkestone, then onto the downs to a remote car park.

I walked through the gate and up the farm track, climbing gently until after five minutes there's a steep hill, then down again.

A few hardy butterflies were about, including a Small heath, I managed to get a shot of.

One the side of the down opposite are the orchids, if you know where to look. I went over and found the first of about twenty spikes.

But I was looking for one special pale plant, which I found after about half an hour.

Due to a genetic mutation, the lip is a pale yellow colour, yet still patterned. This is the only "named" variety of this species, and the first time I have seen it.

I take lots of shots, but so to be careful of other plants yet to emerge, and ground nesting birds, I leave the down, and walk back to the car.

Job done.

On the way back I call in at Sainsbury's in Folkestone for some decent olive oil for Caprese. Half a dozen other items also fall in the basket, but we have food until the weekend now.

And I resisted the beer aisle.

Back home up the Alkham Valley, where the Dellingore is now but a memory from the dark days of winter, as a field of broad beans now spreads over its dried bed.

I get back home, I make a brew as Jools says her legs are stiff. I would think so, 14,000 steps before eight in the morning will do that.

We don't have a meal through the day, instead have a snack for lunch, then nachos for supper. In the making of which, I find a jar of "fruity" habanero chillis.

How hot could a little sliver be? I thought testing before putting it the salsa might be an idea.

Even a sliver was like eating lava, my friends. The rest of the jar went in the bin, and I used the remainder of Jesper's hot sauce from a couple of years back.

Football in the evening: Arsenal beat already relegated Burnley 1-0, though it was far closer than expected. If the Gooners win their last game next weekend, then they'll be champions.