FLEDGLINGS NO MORE

I started the weekend with an evening walk to Brandon Marsh. We walked towards another part of the reserve, called the Tip cos it was once an old tipping area. We saw lots and lots of rabbits having their late supper and frolicking about in the evening sun. Bees, Common Blues and Cinnabar moths were flirting from these beautiful yellow heather.

We strolled towards a meadow of wildflowers. Wow, nothing attracts insects quite like a wild meadow full of grasses and wildflowers. We were standing in a meadow full of wildflowers and grasses swaying in the summer breeze, butterflies flitting around, bees buzzing, birds singing and the sun shining on our back. A photographers mini paradise. What more can you ask…

We made our way slowly towards the River Avon. Another big surprise greeted us. It’s odonata paradise. The place was teeming with Banded Demoiselles doing the only thing in their mind when they emerge from the water. We observed deep metallic blue males compete on the wing for breeding territories and then courting any visiting bottle-green female by doing a special display flight for her. This guy got lucky :-)

Then it was time to head home, for me to catch-up with the football. Last Friday, I nearly turned deaf listening to the opening match between the host country and Mexico. The constant hum of the vuvuzelas was like listening to the drone of a thousand bees in your ear. But well done to the South African team when they got their first World Cup off to a thrilling start by scoring the tournament's opening goal in a spirited 1-1 draw with Mexico. In contrast, the 2nd match between France and Uruguay was a let-down. They contested a truly awful goalless draw.

On Saturday, I made a quick trip to Tesco to get a football tee. I couldn’t imagine spending £15 for an England kit so settled for a St. George’s tee courtesy of Tesco for only £3.50. Most of the staff and the customers too were attired in red and white. There was even St. George’s baps on sale !!!

The huge stock of cheap canned and bottled beer by the entrance will delight football fans. Some are even cheaper than bottled water.
No one wants to be a killjoy and I hoped fans want to cheer England with a beer in one hand and a St George's Flag in the other. Let's hope they can just enjoy the spectacle, sporting excitement and pride in the performance of their chosen team without resorting to drunkenness and disorder.

I managed to catch a glimpse of the next match between South Korea and Greece.  I heard on the radio on the way to Coombe Abbey that the former started their campaign with a confident victory over Greece 2:0. At Coombe Abbey, we were greeted with lots of squirrel kittens running amok. They must have just left their dreys and were venturing into the big, bad world.

We also checked out the newly-opened wildflower meadow.  A pity that irresponsible owners just let loose their dogs and frightened off whatever wildlife in it. We took a leisure stroll towards the heronry. A juvenile herons and cormorants were still thinking of leaving home:-)

I don’t mind missing the Argentina/Nigeria game. It was nearly full time when I switched on the tv. I spent the rest of the evening replanting my chards into 3 bigger pots. The oriental lilies are beginning to bloom and as usual the red lily beetle grubs have begun munching through the leaves. I know they are pests but I just don;t have the heart to kill them. What a big softie eh :-)

I could hear the excitement building up cos there was a pub nearby. I changed into my England tee and made myself comfortable. Watching Gerrard scoring within the first 4 minutes just set it off right! Go England!! That was promising. And then it crashed.

The goalkeeper made a terrible mistake. He has Green on his back and I guess still green as a World Cup goalkeeper, still a fledging. But it is over and done with. England didn't lose to the Yankees. We secured an important point after an encouraging display from many of the players, lots of stupendous moments and shots. I bet it had the nation on the edge of its seat.

We can STILL win. But not if we allow one goalkeeping bungle to destroy the believe. Saturday was disappointing. No one can deny it. England will face Algeria next, and our boys need us to roar them on again. So lets lift ourselves up and dust ourselves down. Let's start all over again.

Look on the the bright side. England did draw their first game in 1966 so fingers crossed it's a good sign! I think that it’s great to feel patriotic and have a great love for this country. I am not a Brit by birth, but I have adopted this country totally into my heart. So common England!!!

On Sunday, I did my usual morning walk. I passed 6 pubs along the route. The flags and buntings were still fluttering and standing proud. The owners were busy clearing after last night. Business must have been good and I bet they too were keeping their fingers crossed that England gets through.

We stopped at Brandon Marsh on our way to Ryton Woods. We noted that most of the bird species had young fledglings in good numbers and of varying degrees of maturity. We saw this Great Tit still contemplating whether to leave the nest box. Good luck!!!

Babe spotted this robin and Goldfinch fledgling feeding below a tree. Mama Robin was watching us from a safe distance. The dragonflies were still mating profusely by the dipping pool. We heard and then saw at least 3 juvenile Red Spotted Woodpeckers flying about and later feeding. It was was really awesome.

Then we head off to Ryton Wood.  At last, we finally managed to find the entrance for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust members. This woods is one of Warwickshire’s largest surviving semi-natural ancient woodlands with oak, hazel and small leaved lime coppice.

We walked through an extensive network of overgrown paths. Don’t wander on your own cos you might get lost in this huge 85 hectares of  woodlands. The birds were well camouflaged in the thick foliage and we spotted again 3 juvenile  Red Spotted Woodpeckers. Did they follow us from Brandon!!! And the woods was littered with Speckled Wood butterflies dappling in the shade.

We also heard a cuckoo calling as we walked back to Azures. We planned to come again cos there were other paths that we have not been too. I think a visit in Autumn will be truly amazing with the changing of the colours and also the abundance of fungi. Couldn’t wait…

We left as the weather was beginning to change. Thunderstorms was predicted. Safely tucked in our casa, I made dinner. We’d fried rice with lots of vegetables and grilled steak. Yummy. I sliced some fresh pineapple for dessert. Then settled down for my next match and what a thriller. Germany provided a real signal of intent with a thrilling demolition 4:0 of 10-man Australia to get their campaign off to a flying start. Fantastisch!!!

Also well done to Lewis Hamilton for winning the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

I’d a wonderful weekend watching the World Cup and looking forward towards the rest of the tournament. Good luck England for Friday. You can do it…It’s time to show the world that we can now fly!!!