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| Sir Peter Scott's house |
I took two of the boys to the wetlands place at the weekend. It was wet, which is as it should be. I saw a bittern, right in front of me, which was fantastic, normally they're so well hidden. I didn't even think to take a photo, I was so amazed.
The house in the third photo used to belong to the conservationist and ornithologist Sir Peter Scott, son of Robert Scott, aka Scott of the Antarctic. In his last letter to his wife, written when Peter was two, he wrote, 'Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games.' Shortly after writing it he died on the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
Sir Peter Scott kept captive birds on the water in front of his home for a while, but eventually wild birds started landing there and now all the birds there are wild. Bewick's swans spend the winter there after making the journey from Siberia. It's an incredibly special place.
I managed a bit of writing while the others were exploring. The sun was setting and overhead crows were calling and settling in the tops of trees. I do love the winter sunset, it's so atmospheric. I'm plowing on towards 50,000 words. Just eight days to go I believe. I have crossed the 40,000 word mark.
There was no cricket or football at all this weekend, which was novel. I'd like to say many other useful and organisational things were accomplished, but somehow it has flown by in a jumble of work and odd bits of half-hearted housework. There was a cricket presentation night. The biggest boy stayed late with the adult team. I asked him when he got home if he'd had a good time. He said, 'Yes. I spent all of your money but none of my money.' Thrifty, no?
I am still enjoying podcasts. It occurs to me that after a lifetime of listening to the news and current affairs, they have finally broken me. I had a really frustrating day on Friday, you know the sort of thing, when everything goes wrong, everyone is annoying and it rained on me and the dog, and then I got home and there was a letter from Boris Johnson on the doormat as some sort of coup de grace. Honestly, if the local MP comes round, I shall not be held responsible for my actions.
Anyway, podcast land is a very fine place and I may never go back to news and current affairs. There is so much else to know about and things to hear that leave me feeling warm and positive and happy. If you have any favourites, do let me know.
I love this post - so atmospheric. Scott's last words about his son made me a bit tearful; must be my hormones! Well done on sticking to NaNoWriMo, I'd love to read what you've done. I do love a good knitting or vegan food podcast. If I'm feeling in the need of a bit more intellectual stimulation I reach for the TED talks. So much more relaxing than the news - although I shall be scouring the headlines for news of an MP being assaulted on a doorstep in Gloucestershire! xx
ReplyDeleteI have also enjoyed this post and the beautiful photos, so calming. I know how you feel about the news services and think I might start giving them a miss too and look at some podcasts just to lighten my spirits. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed that you can fit in a bit of writing here and there - well done on getting to over 40,000 - the goal is in sight.
ReplyDeleteI have decided who I will vote for in the next election and no amount of 'blah, blah, blah' through the media will get through my wall - I just can not give the lies and manipulations any head space. I'm off to find some podcasts - or failing that Comedies and Dramas on Radio4 Extra.
The wetlands sounds like the perfect place to go to with your men and a spot of writing too. Win, win! We have a wetland area the other side of the island and I keep meaning to go. But you know how it is. I’ll need to find my passport to get to the other side!
ReplyDeleteI harrumphed through the news last night. Not sure why I watched it, I thought I’d trained myself.....
Have a lovely week with lots of writing. I’m off to face a barrage of school children...eeeek! B x
I've visited the wetlands centre in Arundel several times but somehow never Slimbridge. You have inspired me to try to go next year. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have a good view of a bittern we have just seen them fleetingly. We've given up on the news - I'm beginning to feel more and more that TV just regurgitates propaganda. It's all rather worrying.
ReplyDeletePodcasts are such A Good Thing! You've probably already heard of 'Dispatch to a Friend' - but if not, it's a lovely calming listen.
ReplyDeleteGood post and pictures. Lucky you seeing a brittern. Well done with the writing, you've done really well so far. I rarely listen to podcasts but when I do they're usually to do with allotments or gardens. Happy writing and listening. xx
ReplyDeleteThe wetlands look like a lovely place to visit. And yes, since the "games" Scott was referring to were much more benign than the ones of today, his sentiment is even more true.
ReplyDeleteIt looks wet indeed at the Wetlands Centre. It looks like a fine place to visit, I shall keep it in mind for a time in the future when we are travelling southwards. I am a podcast addict, in fact I have been thinking of writing a blog post on my favourite podcasts but have not done so yet for fear of being seen as a bit of a weird one.... Have you tried The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry? Loving that one, it is fun. Well done on writing 40,000 words already. That's a lot of words! xx
ReplyDeleteYou picked a good day to go to the wetlands center. Oregon is famous for its rain. So, it looked very homey to me. We have the Tundra Swans back in the lake near us. I love them. I have some photos on my blog post today, you should show your sons whom are "birders". They come here from their breeding grounds in the Arctic Tundra. I find that amazing. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Teresa, I'll definitely show them your pictures, wonderful. CJ xx
DeleteOh my the Wetlands are so beautiful. So, so gorgeous. Just what you needed I think. I have been listening to Dr Mariza Snyder, a functional medicine practitioner who interviews so many informative people on women's health. I am not even listening to books now, just this podcast where I learn so much. As for the news, don't get me started on all the horrible things our president has done, yet there are still people behind him, it makes me ill. I am trying to take a break this weekend and just stay grounded in my house. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous place to visit and well done on getting so many words written. I'm new to podcasts but can see me listening to lots more. My favourite is "Art Juice" which is about painting and art.
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