A Saturday morning walk about Stroud

We set off for town later than planned, not surprising given the consumption if the night before. I had offered to show Pip and Mary where the kingfishers nest near us on the River Frome so we headed straight there.  We didn't spot one as there was a lot of activity from a youth group kyacking nearby, but I was able to point out a White-throated Dipper to them as it fed off rocks on the edge of the river.

We then walked along the path beside the river through the nature reserve, which is called Fromebanks.  At one point under the heavily shadows of the tree canopy we spotted a heron just ahead of us, which soon flew off into a tree before flying off to safety from us humans. But all this wildlife is only a couple of hundred yards from the town centre.  We are so lucky.

We wanted to find out about the election of the new Labour party leader which was going to be announced at 11-30am, so decided to head to the office of the Stroud branch.  We were welcomed and allowed up into the office where we could watch a live BBC news feed on the computer.  As David J. was setting it up I couldn't resist taking a picture of the local party banner which hangs on the wall.  David was preparing to write a press release but kindly let us join him.

Woodpeckers has covered the same story and written about it, so I won't elaborate further.  Apparently the newly elected leader Jeremy Corbyn had visited this very office quite recently when supporting the campaign of David Drew at the last election.  Sadly David wasn't re-elected although widely liked so there is no local candidate at present.  That will be an interesting process now.

We returned home for a brunch of delicious scrambled eggs and mushrooms (all from the farm shop) which I prepared before Pip and Mary had to return to Bristol, where he had a singing engagement later in the afternoon.  It was a lovely visit which we hope to reciprocate in a few weeks when we join them in Bristol for fun and (watching rugby) games!