Falling Backwards with The Proclaimers

Last Friday, I’d my seasonal flu jab done. Fingers-crossed this will keep me safe from catching any nasties that were floating at the moment. Babe asked me to take the day off cos last year I’d a bad reaction and had to take sick leave. He wanted to keep an eye on me. Isn’t that sweet!!!

We spent the day checking out the natives at Brandon Marsh. It came to no surprise to find the parking lot full.  What’s going on? At Carlton Hide, we managed to get a seat. It was very quiet. Then this very handsome pheasant strutted his stuff on the island. Look at those rich colours!!!

We spotted several Bullfinches feeding berries on a hawthorn tree opposite the hide.  I’m glad that the hawthorn haws, rosehips and rowan berries were doing well in the reserve. They will be a wonderful harvest for all the birds and smaller creatures who rely on them through the coming colder months.

We left before the rush hour sets in. I have invited my cousin, Lyanna, for dinner tonight and I need to start preparing the meals. I made a Malay dish, Fried chicken in a honey sauce and fried Pak-Choi in oyster sauce. These were eaten with rice.

At about 7pm, we went to fetch her. She lived in a new estate that wasn’t even registered in the GPS. The screen went blank!!! I called her twice for directions and we were about to return home when Babe spotted the road sign. What a relief…

We’d a lovely time reminiscing and catching up. It was good to see her again. We enjoyed our meal and made promised to keep in touch. Unfortunately, her hubby was still in Malaysia finalising his visa. Fingers-crossed he’ll join her at the end of November.

On Saturday, Babe and I just chilled out in the casa. It had been raining the whole day. There was also a local derby going on at the Ricoh. The Sky Blues met Championship league leader, West Bromwich Albion. 20k fans packed the stadium and the boys managed to keep it 0:0. I wonder whether the fans were pleased with the result because after the match, the streets were spookily quiet.

Then it was time to put on our glad rags. We went to see The Proclaimers belting their stuff at the Warwick Arts Centre. This is the first time we have been in the flagship venue Butterworth Hall, which had just re-opened following a £6.9 million refurbishment. This concert was another birthday treat for Babe. The venue was packed with people of a certain age :-)

The supporting act was good and managed to keep the audience entertained. After a short break, the pièce de résistance came on stage. They were very good. They belted from one hits to another and the crowds joined in.

We were on our feet, clapping our hands and singing our heart out when the song from Shrek and 500 miles came on. These 2 songs really made my day.

I wasn’t pleased when the stewards came round telling the audience off for taking photographs. Why??? Do they think we were going to sell them? We paid £££ to see these concerts. The odd thing was that the audience was allowed to bring alcohol into the venue. There was a bar outside. Some of them were clearly over the limit and they might be driving home after the concert. Shouldn’t they be more concerned about that???

Apart from that rant, we’d an enjoyable night. I managed to sneak a few shots without using the flash :-). The group came back on stage after the usual non-stop clapping and foot stomping. They sang a few more songs. We did hoped that the twins might sing acoustic but they didn’t. All I can say is that The Proclaimers will rule for a very long time.

On Sunday, I had a hard time adjusting to the time change again. I should stay longer in bed and enjoy the extra hour. But my brain and body wants me to be up and moving. Hmm…

We went for a quick stroll to Brandon Marsh again.  I was feeling a bit iffy and my arm was a bit sore. I’m glad we went out cos it was a spring-like weather except that it was in October. We spotted a few dragonflies basking in the warm sun.

 

 

 

We strolled into the woods.  The damp smell of rotting leaves and fallen wood was very strong. And my favourite autumn aroma was in the air, fungi!!! We went to the spot where the Fly Agaric was seen last year. And hey presto, a pair of lovely shiny red, marginally grooved cap with its white veil fragments was waiting to be photographed.

 

 

We were outside the Wright Hide when heard a familiar call. I looked up and came to face with this beautiful diagnostic red face and white cheeks.  Several Goldfinches were busy grooming themselves. What a lucky, close encounter.

 

 

Kay and Andy joined us in the hide. We’d a wonderful time talking and taking photographs. Luckily, we’d the hide to ourselves cos we were quite a noisy bunch :-).