Wednesday 19th June 2026

And so we reach the middle of the week.

And its a rest day from phys, so normally would be a lay in, only my brain and body conspired to have me awake at just before five.

I do manage to go back to sleep for an hour, so am up at six, ready for the day.

We got an early morning call from Jen, which is unusual: he internet was down, could we help? Jools said she'd help, and as she was to catch a train to Bromley later, after her keep fit class was cancelled, she would catch a bus to the station, as I had some light orchiding planned. You'll not be surprised to hear.

The orchid group on U3A has not been a success, and only Iain has attended more than one day, and one couple attended the meet at PGD at the end of May. So, the group is scrapped, but Iain would like to carry on and see more orchids.

I was asked about the Lizards at Betteshanger County Park. I knew they were there, but nothing else, so the guy went on Tuesday and found hundreds of Lizards, thousands of Pyramidal, and a handful of Bee.

So instead of coming here, as the two locations were north of Deal, so I would pick him up at his place in Walmer/Deal, not sure where the boundary is away from the coast.

He was waiting, so we drive through the maze of roads and drives that make up the post-war sprawl away from the coast, always heading towards the tower of St Leonard in Upper Deal.

The park was on the way to Sandwich, made where the spoil heap from the colliery was, flattened and landscaped.

We drive through the arch, similar to Jurassic Park, though not with dinosaurs, just Lizards.

The park is an educational place, and two classes of high-schoolers were being briefed of their tasks for the day, exploring the site. I had been given detailed directions, so we set off up the impressive set of steps past the adventure playground, and along the fenceline beside a track were several Lizards.

They were also in three areas of grass left to grow, and in the edge of a hedgeline.

We take shots, and I try to identify other plant species as we made our way along the track to a bank, which would lead to more orchids.

There were Lizards in most areas of grass, and in the edge of the scrub on the left hand side of the path.

Where foxes or rabbits had burrowed into the ground, we could see that there was no soil, but broken rocks and small lumps of coal, which is perfect for our native plants which have taken over the site.

Further along, among to hundreds of Pyramidals, we came to a handful of Bee Orchids, always a joy to find them, even if we knew they were there.

Once we had found the Bees, we turned round and walked back to the park's centre, seeing more plants: Nullein, Dyer's greenweed , Cudweed, Geraniums, and huge amounts of Ragwort among many others.

We pay the parking fee, and drive on to Sandwich, then through the houses are passing over the level crossing, arriving at Sandwich Bay just before midday.

We were here to check on the Marsh helleborines, and to show Iain the Southern marsh.

After checking the bird ringing was done for the day, we get permission to enter the dune slacks, so walk over the meadow, then through the long grass to the entrance.

There were SMOs everywhere, many very dark in colour, and just about at their peak. I lead Iain over through the plants, looking for the tell-tale bent spikes of helleborines.

I see none at first, then see the first, just opening. And as I looked harder, there were maybe fifty small spikes, with many more emerging.

We take shots, then explore the rear of the site to look for hybrids, and find that the last spike before the fence was D. x grandis, with heavily spotted leaves and boldly marked leaves.

And with that we turned and walked to the observatory.

On the way home I dropped Iain back off at his home, and it will now be about two months until we meet again on an orchid hunt, due to Operation Eclipse next month and into August.

Once home I have lunch: a bread baton with strawberry jam and salt n vinegar crisps. Its my go to sarnie, and I live the sweet and savoury flavours.

Photographs were downloaded and reviewed, then to wait for news as when Jools would return from Bromley. Of course she would return midway through the first half of the early game, meaning by the time the train arrived late and we came back home, then cooked pizza for dinner, it was half time in the game.

Portugal v Congo, and despite taking an early lead, with Ronaldo as centre forward he had as much movement as a garden statue, and yet stayed on for the entire game. It ended 1-1.

And then came England's first game in the tournament.

Croatia had knocked England out in semi-finals in recent years, so this was going to be a tough game. And yes, many of their players are nearing the ends of their career, Modric is now 41. It was 2-2 at half time as England took the lead, only to go to sleep after each and concede.

But in the second, England came out roaring. Scored a third in the first two minutes, and could have had at least three in a scramble soon after scoring, the keeper somehow pawing the ball off the line over and over again.

England scored a fourth in the closing stages, so ease to a 4-2 win. Though doubts over the defence remain.