Right, Im awake and now I can tell you about the famous 12th! It all started after l slept out on my un-inflated arctic mattress. I didnt realise that it was me that had to inflate it, not some non existent pump. Oh well next time. Anyway as I relaxed after walking to Northwood Hills wood and seeing woodcocks and hearing a few tawny owls there, I read the small booklet detailing the RSPB reserves in the area, the Hoo Peninsula, and found that they had sneaked 3 reserves in there that I knew nothing about. Nothing else for it I would have to go back to the area around Cliffe and find them. Early morning breakfast of cold juice with chamomile and ginger tea and cheap Tescos flapjack and a cheap small packet of rice krispies (I eat like a King in the morning!). Then it was off into the seemingly ever present SW gale to search for three reserves I had got a map for but would not be signposted nor would have any RSPB signs to show me I had found them. I called in at the RSPB office at the Northwood Hill reserve and met Andy the warden and Maria, one of the reserve employees. I asked for a large RSPB logo to put onto the back of my Hi-vis jaclet, beneath the Biking Birder logo and was given not just that but also an enamel RSPB badge. I felt honoured! RSPB volunteers receive badges for the years service they put into helping the RSPB. I remember being at a badge giving ceremony at the Stourbridge RSPB local group a few years ago and seeing the pride in which volunteers received a badge. This RSPB badge was the first one I had ever received from them. Now it reminded me of a comedic moment but I couldnt remember which comedian asked whether they would receive one for their charitable efforts. I remembered a couple of hours later when I was looking for the green-winged teal back at Cliffe RSPB reserve again, sitting on a viewpoint bench and failing again. Intermission to watch Tony Hancock and the Blood Donor - for it was he, the famous Brummie! ( actual badge moment 5:30 minutes) https://youtube/watch?v=sdbEKpG77tM
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 06:38:48 +0000
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