Summer’s Ending

Nearly over now. Another summer that was neither here nor there. It seemed an eternity since I last enjoyed a picnic in the park with CC and DB or sat on the bench in the garden on a balmy evening. The last really decent spell we had was in early July when we were zooming about sans the roof of Azures. Since then, the sun did come out to play occasionally but often more sudden cloud bursts.

Last week, I was at work for only 2 days but I’m still exhausted. I wanted to take a day off last Thursday but we’d a new member of staff, RC, reporting for work on Monday. It was really unfair for her starting at a new place where the manager and 2 colleagues were away for a conference. HR knew we were away but they still went ahead. So welcome RC…

I had also signed up as a library guide for the new students. There was an orientation program for the guides before they let us loose with the students. It was an opportunity for officers working in the backroom to be seen and showcase their skills. We’d the chance to play with the RFID or self-issue machine, the book sorter and the assisted technology area. It was a good learning experience and I’m looking forward for my turn with the students.

As usual, I started the weekend early with a trip to our favourite playground after work. Autumn was hovering in the air. Just look at the gorgeous evening September light picking out the reds of these  firethorn berries. It will disappear soon when the birds started feeding on them.

Just before the Baldwin Hide, we saw a glade of Fly Agaric. These quintessential toadstools never failed to excite me. They were all in different stages of growth. Very pretty, very toxic and hallucinogenic. In Lapland, reindeer regularly get high on them and were seen leaping around, giving rise to the story of Santa's flying reindeer. How I wish I could see that. It must have been an amazing sight.

We saw the hybrid goose fast asleep on the island opposite Baldwin Hide. The sight of Brandon’s favourite hybrid, normally seen in the winter months, was an ominous sign that the seasons have moved on!!! Isn’t he a beauty?

On Sat., I went to the Arena Park to check out the new New Look store which was opened in early Sept. It had taken over the former Borders store. This shop was so huge that you can spend hours wandering about. The major problem was that the long queues for the changing room and then the till. A pair of trendy hiking boots caught my eye. Will check that out later when it was much calmer.

Later in the evening, we went to BMNR again. We stopped at Baldwin Hide to make sure that no one had stomped on the Fly Agaric. They were still standing proud. We were glad we were in the hide when the heavens opened. A Great Crested Grebe in its winter colouring swam close to the hide. What a lovely sight.

It was raining off and on. So we left early. I spent the night watching the inaugural World Open Snooker championship from Glasgow. I didn’t like the new format. All matches up to and including the semis will be best of 5 frames and the Final will be best of 9 frames. It was just too short. Some players take a longer time to warm up. My favourite players, Selby and Doherty, have already packed their bags. Thankfully, Robertson was still standing.

On Sunday, we went to Bradgate Park to check on the natives. It was a very nice surprise when we spotted this herd of deer by the entrance. They were just chilling out, watching the visitors watching them. We planned to be here every fortnight until their rutting season. It will be amazing. The haunting bellows, the clashing of antlers, pure testosterones on show.

As we continued walking, I could hear a very distinctive whistling ‘whee-oo’ coming from the River Lin. It was Wigeon (Anas Penelope). We have seen them from a distance at BMNR but this was my first close encounter with him. He was soo noisy busy begging for scraps of bread from a very obliging visitor. I could sit here for hours just watching him. Utterly, utterly gorgeous.

We spent the afternoon checking out the surroundings. We walked a bit further than usual, past the visitor centre. Herds of red and fallow deer were spotted feeding among the bracken, under the cool shade. It was very thrilling to spot this handsome stag observing us. You don’t want to get too close. Check out those antlers.

On Monday, I spent the day training my new colleague, RC, the different classification schemes we used  and the quirks that came with it. A bit overwhelming at first, but I’m sure she’ll managed. As a trained cataloguer, she should be able to adopt and adjust. I did!!!

Then I had a lunch date with HR. We were soo busy that we’d to make a date in our busy schedules to meet for lunch. We’d a wonderful time keeping each other up-to-date with things. Lunch was a steaming bowl of leek and potato soup and a wholemeal roll. Easy, filling and quick washed down with herbal tea. We promised to set another date next month, fingers-crossed :-).

I took leave yesterday to get the tickets for the ‘Help the Heroes’ charity at the Coventry Airport this coming Sunday. I never liked purchasing on-line so we went to the tourist information centre situated below the majestic St. Michael’s Tower. I need to get the tickets early cos the first 2000 will get free parking at the airport. Babe told me today when he was on the way to BMNR, traffic signs were beginning to be set up by the airport. I guess we have to be early then to avoid the queues as 20,000 people were expected. Couldn’t wait…

Then another trip to the reserve. We were greeted by a flock of Goldfinches, chilling out in the afternoon sun. Woodpecker calls were heard but not seen. We walked through the forest and were blasted with the smell of autumn, fungi and rot:-). There were so many species of fungi we spotted along the way but coming across these delicious looking Shaggy Ink Caps (Coprinus Comatus) were just wonderful.

I was soo looking forward to see how the Fly Agaric were doing. From a distance we could see a huge scarlet cap.  As we got closer, my oh my, there was a field of them. They just seemed so unreal, too opulent, too exotic in such a temperate climate. What a gem…

We continued on to the East Marsh hide. A Great Crested Grebe was busy fishing and the Snipe was fast asleep on the island. Babe introduced me to a lovely couple J and S. S wanted to use one of Babe’s photographs for her painting class. Good luck. We couldn’t wait to see her master-piece.

At Carlton Hide, we could hear the sandpiper calling and flew off as soon as we opened the flaps. Hard luck. It was very quiet except for this handsome pheasant, checking us out. He kept us entertained before we decided to call it a day.

"As Summer into Autumn slips
And yet we sooner say
"The Summer" than "the Autumn," lest
We turn the sun away,
And almost count it an Affront
The presence to concede
Of one however lovely, not
The one that we have loved --
So we evade the charge of Years
On one attempting shy
The Circumvention of the Shaft
Of Life's Declivity."
~Emily Dickinson, As Summer Into Autumn Slips~