Sunday is a work day for me. Luckily I get an extra hour in bed with the store opening to staff at 7am.
But even that extra hour in bed was not enough for Dolly. When it was time to get up, answer the call of nature, and go next door to mum. All Dolly did was lazily lift her head, give me that look that said “I don’t wanna get up I’m happy here in bed.”
I had to lift an almost rebellious Dolly doing her best limp body, I shall not be moved impression.
Anyway I had to carry Dolly and Nico (don’t ask Nico doesn’t do stairs!) down. Even downstairs Dolly was in her best protesting mood sitting her bum down refusing to go out. I had to shut the stairs door before she made a dash back up to bed.
Work could only at best be described as frustrating, even challenging. The upside for me is that I finish midday. What helped get me through the shift was the thought I’d be out soon enjoying the fenland landscape with Dolly.
Today our walk started on the Newton-in-the-Isle side of North Level Main Drain. The actual parking spot for this walk is about .4 of a mile away from the drain. So technically a little walk in to get to the drain.
Start Point: TF 42406 14330
Distance: 1.77 miles
Total Distance So Far: 3.11 miles
We were going to park a little bit further up the road and actually end up opposite where we were yesterday.
However tractors had really trashed the public access path. It was so cut up and muddy it wouldn’t have been pleasant to walk along for Dolly or me.
Our walk turned out to be a there and back again along the bridle way.
As I said we had a little walk before getting to the foot bridge over North Level Main Drain.
On this side of the drain as we approached it I once again saw a kestrel hovering this time over the field the bridle way bordered.
The sun was out, although not warm, and a slight breeze gave us a lovely fenland afternoon. A complete contrast to the previous day. On days like this the fens can compete with anywhere.
I saw a couple of mussel shells as we headed in the opposite direction to yesterday. So the mystery continues as to how or why these are here. And even why this side of the drain has so few compared to the other side.
I also saw only a couple of crows today. Once again far fewer than yesterday.
There was a new spotting of an egret. I first saw one of these back around 2008, maybe 2009 on a hiking trip down south with my departed friend Alan.
We also saw three cygnets swimming on the drain. Luckily they managed not to upset the fisherman on the bank that we saw, or run into his lines in the water. Apparently today was not a good day for the fisherman he was not having much luck when asked.
It’s hard to make these there and back again walks along the drains sound exciting. But it’s interesting to see what wildlife they attract.
Tomorrow will be a “rest day” I have a couple of meetings after work meaning I won’t be home my usual time. So our next walk for this fundraiser will be Tuesday.