ANOTHER BIRTHDAY

Yesterday I reached, with a certain amount of luck, the age of 67 years and I keep on asking myself where has it all gone? I had a cracking day and just after I had downed my first cup of tea I was having a conversation with one of my grandsons before he went off to school. For me that set the day of, very nicely. I had some writing to do and I did get on with that but I am still working onto the ending of this 4000 word story. Will it be good enough? Michelle went off to the gym and then came back with a bottle of red. We opened it, of course, and it made a pleasant lunchtime and a break from trying to put a story together. Maybe that it is why time flies by! We then finished the day off by visiting a local restaurant and having some really good food.

The previous Saturday we saw swallows passing through and then on 21^st I went up to the eagle owl site and it kindly obliged. There seemed to be plenty of activity and we suspect there is young to be fed. Today, while downing a beer in town I saw the first sand martin of the year. It was paying regular visits to an old nest. There might be a chill still in the air but birds are on the move.

That reminds me for I wrote a poem called ‘chill’. It came from a theme mentioned in a writing mag. And then I got thinking about my bedroom when I was a child. It’s really reminiscence and going back into memoir mode-but here it is.

CHILL

Eiderdown, white cat, cold linoleum

internal images reflect on the scene
that was once a smaller place.

Moon shine, star light,

white answering frost provoke
shadow through the window pane

throw straight edges on to the wall,

gleam comes off the glass bowl:
picks up the memories,

focuses them in. I hold them in
my palm, everywhere I go they
glance up, to remind me                          

of winter wind, creeping cold,
frost patterns on glass of 
the sliding window on worn runners

that chatter, share with the wind,

their rattle of combining tells
volumes in nature’s tongue

I speak their tittle-tattle to the same

rhythm of the resonating wood;
a reminder of togetherness

On cold nights they never ask ‘can you recall?’

knowing that I am inside the room; to talk,
share what is being said, just the three of us.

Trio of Chiff Chaffs at Hondon

Taken at Hondon.  There were so many of these around one of the hides.  Photos taken by Michelle Edwards.

Penduline Tit

BIRDING SUCCESS

This week I have made three attempts to see the Eagle Owl and have been successful twice. This evening Michelle was with me. We could hear them calling and then it perched in view, moved its position and then flew. I was delighted and so was Michelle for this was her first view-albeit courtesy of the scope-of this very large bird.

Yesterday, we went with Costa Blanca Bird Club to Pego which is a rice growing area with plenty of water, reeds and muddy fields. There is flowing natural water with dykes, drains and regulated water levels. It is an incredibly important sight for resident birds, nesting area, for wintering birds and for passage migrants. It was not our first trip and it will not be the last.

We saw numerous lapwing with a few golden plover, snipe in abundance with egrets, herons and the occasional raptor. There were many smaller species such a blue throat, wagtails, pipits and even the welcome sight of a few robins. However, the stars of our day was a birding restauranteur from The Scillies who ‘pished’ up eight lovely penduline tits who poked their heads up to look for who was talking to them. It’s good to talk, you know! The other star find was a Spotted Crake and both finds were firsts for many of us. Well done to Bryan Thomas for his ‘pishing’, for his enthusiasm and his willingness to help those with less knowledge. Also, thanks to Julian Sykes (www.juliansykeswildlife.com ) whose knowledge and spotting ability was of benefit to us. This was another great day out in good company.

THE WRITING SIDE OF THINGS

Prior to my last entry and the build- up to the ‘open mic’ I had made a decision to write less in at least one area of what I have been doing. I found that I was getting stale and I(we)certainly needed to get out into the big outdoors, to feel the wind in the face and just get out of the house. The net book was being given too much attention!

I still have the focus of Stanza Mar Menor and our project of Portman and its mining past. Poetry wise I have had a final look at a poem I wrote a few week ago and the poem emanating from our trip to Portman has had a few more touches added to it. I also have some other ideas that I wish to work on before our next poetry meeting next Friday.  I have plenty to write but I want to keep this in balance with our other interests. 

The Morning After The Open Mic

I am always anxious before hosting this event but the truth is quite simply that there is no need to worry. We had  a 'cracking' evening with some very fine writers and performers making excellent contributions. There were some memorable moments with three new faces appearing and reading. It is always pleasing to see and hear new participants. Well done and thank you.

The first part of the 'open mic' started with me reading two poems both on the nature theme and by the time the whole room had participated in was nine o'clock. A member of the Stanaz Mar Menor poetry group had already written on our visit to Portman and she had two entries in the Wordplay competition as well. She has been so prolific.

I have praise for all participants and thank them for making all my efforts worthwhile. I think this was the best evening that I have hosted.

I am now looking forward to progressing the reach of such evenings and how other ideas can be introduced.

Maybe I can now actually write something poetic.

Stanza Mar Menor Freezing at Portman

From Left to Right: Tadg, Margaret, John, Kathy, Iarla, Anne

A Quick Round-Up

The weather here in Spain is the coldest we have known but the sun is shining brightly although the wind chill gives a sharp edge to the air.

This week-end has seen the start of 'The Six Nations' Rugby Tournament. The English scrambled a win at Murrayfield-against the 'old enemy'- for which I was delighted about. I think that the reality may kick in later on when we are further tested by stronger teams. Yesterday, I watched Ireland narrowly lose to Wales and I cried in my Guinness but they were very worthy winners. It will be interesting to see how this Welsh side goes against the French. I am looking forward with anticipation.

Last Friday The Stanza Mar Menor poetry group travelled down to Portman to view the old mine workings and see at first hand the poisoning of the ground that had resulted from the extraction of minerals, the run off and the disposal of waste matter. The wind blew, fingers and hands were too cold to write although the imagination was stirred. We will have to see what words appear on paper. 'Nature' is our project for the time being.

Tomorrow evening I host our 7th 'Open Mic' and I am always anxious in the hours approaching any of these events. We shall see what outcome will be although I am considering a change of format because to stand still is to lose ground. I think that I need to progress it much more. This will be with the help of friends and fellow writers. In the meantime I should write something poetic!

That is enough for now but hopefully some birding this week when the wind is less.