August Bank Weekend on the 20th. of Ramadan

We started the bank holiday weekend with a late evening stroll at Brandon Marsh.   There were still lots of cars in the car-park. I guess most people were like us, winding down and chilling out, after 5 days working hard. I’d the office to myself. SH’s visiting his Danish in-laws, GLW’s holidaying in Cornwall, CC’s meeting her parents up north and WP doesn’t work on a Friday. So I guess it was up to me to keep the boat afloat.

It was also Ross leaving do. After working here for nearly a decade, he was leaving for Reading University. Their gain, our loss. I went up to listen to the speeches and wished him good luck. Since it was Ramadan, I’d to say no to the groaning table and went back to work.

I’m also pleased to say that I’ve finished listening to 114 surah of the Quran. It was 10 days too soon and I’m thinking of starting all over again but I think I won’t be able to complete it during Ramadan.

In the afternoon I was invited to observe a pre-session library orientation with a group of international students. The academic support librarians wanted to use my expertise as a former international student to assist them in dealing with non-British students. So far no problem.

At Brandon, we spotted a flock of goldfinches enjoying the evening sun and a pair of linnet having a sand-bath. Since it was getting dark, we had a short walk round the woods. The smell of rot and wet leaves caught our attention. Fungi was popping everywhere. Autumn was coming quick and fast.   

On Saturday, our plans to Birmingham was put on hold cos Babe was unwell. While he was recuperating, I decided to check the M&S sales at the Arena. From a distance, I could see a huge crows outside the entrance of Tesco. Hmm what’s up?

Titan the Robot was working his magic with the shoppers. I stopped to watch the 8ft giant robot kept the audience on their toes as he paraded through the centre, with performances that were unforgettable. It was hilarious when he sang Lady in Red to a young guy who was wearing a red t-shirt. The poor guy turned red and got a lot of flack from his friends.

Those standing in front was drenched with water sprouting from his eyes (thank goodness) when Titan started singing ‘Singing in the rain’. You just don’t know what to expect. He was burping and doing impressions from The Terminator to Shrek. What a performer…

After all the excitement, I did check-out the sales. Hmm, nothing’s worth trying out. I put in a prescription at Boots, browsed Tesco to stock on Ramadan goodies and then to the public library.

I spent the day reading and finished The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness. As usual I read the second instalment in the Chaos Walking Trilogy. I’ve missed the first and thus lost in translation and again another trilogy. What is it me and trilogy huh??? I’m now hunting The Knife of Never Letting Go and Monsters of Men. One thing I notice was the similarity with Pullman’s Dark Materials, another trilogy!!!

On Sunday I did my usual morning walk around the block. We went out to Asda and Aldi for shopping and to fill up Azures. Petrol was cheapest at Asda at £110, but still very, very expensive.

Then a walk to Brandon Marsh again. Babe needs some fresh air after spending the whole of yesterday in bed. Again we saw flocks of goldfinches tree hopping.  At Baldwin Hide, Babe spotted this Coot fishing and then demolishing the fish. We were stunned to see this behaviour.

A pair of Great Crested Grebe were slowly changing into their winter attire. It was good to see them together cos usually we could only spot one in the lake.  At East Marsh Hide, this Little Grebe was swimming so close to the bank. It was so nice to see this beauty again.

On bank holiday, we went for a drive to check out the Napton-on Hill windmill and locks. We saw the windmill from the main road but just couldn’t reach it. We asked for directions but as we drove higher into the hill, the road got narrower and it became a one track lane. Babe refused to go any further. We couldn’t find the locks either.

On the way here, we passed a sign for Draycote Waters. So we decided to spend the rest of the day here. Guess what??? And so did half of the county. It was buzzing but it was such a huge park that you have your own space.

As we started our way up to the now-closed visitor centre, we were hit by the stiff northerly breeze. It was freezing but at least the sun was out. We decided to walk towards the Hensborough Bank. There were lots of sailing activities going on in the reservoir.

On top of the Sailing Club roof, we spotted flocks of Pied wagtails hunting and enjoying the sun. They were frantically wagging their tails up and down dashing about in search of food. The frequently calls when in its undulating flight were echoing all over the place.

As we walked towards the shore, 2 Turnstone flew in. What a very nice surprise. They were soo busy feeding, moving along the mudflat with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action, with us stalking them closely with our camera. I’m glad they let us get this close.

Then we walked back towards the Overflow and we spotted at least 5 Five Ringed Plovers.  It was amazing to see them this close. At Brandon, they will be feeding in the middle of the island which is a good 100 metres away. They were very well camouflaged among the rocks, too.

We also spotted this pretty bird also feeding nearby. It was a Sanderling. This was indeed another very  nice surprise because it was usually found along the coast. This  energetic wading bird does not breed in the UK, but is a winter visitor and passage migrant in spring and autumn, journeying to and from their high Arctic breeding grounds. What a privilege for us to have seen it.

At the Rainbow corner, we saw flocks of Great Crested Grebes and Coots. I’d never seen soo many Grebes in my life, in different stages of adulthood. There were juveniles with the striped black and white still visible. They lose these markings when they become adults.

We planned to come again next week early in the morning and try to complete the whole circuit around the reservoir. I think it was about 6-8 miles. A visit in winter is a definite must.

We went home tired but refreshed. It had been a wonderful Bank holiday weekend. It was also our 13th. registered wedding anniversary.

For my Darling husband

We share our happiness with each other and it becomes greater

We share our troubles together with each other and they become smaller

We share one another’s grief and burdens and they become possible to bear.

~Author unknown~ 

It was also Fran’s and David’s first wedding anniversary. I called to wish them many happy returns and may they have more wonderful years together.

It was Malaysia’s 52nd. Independence Day today My sister was telling me that one of my nephew, Emir, is taking part in the celebration. Well done and MERDEKA to all Malaysians.