IT'S A TWITCH

At this rate with all the birding since G's retirement, I think I'll have to start a bird list again. Today it was off to Audenshaw Reservoir near Manchester for a Kentish Plover. And what a cute little bird he was,  but a darned cold wind blowing round the path up on the reservoir. The reservoir is open to permit holders only but the place was full of birders and dog walkers. Once you know where "the hole in the fence" is, you're in, perhaps now a fully qualified permit holder. The "hole" is two bars of the metal fence which have been unscrewed at the bottom and now slide open to reveal  a triangular gap. You'd never know from looking at it. Once I'd checked that a massive dog and its 98 year old owner could get through I followed. I did not relish the thought of becoming stuck and rescued by the fire brigade.

After watching the bird, the birders, the traffic on the M60, what a noise, we headed back to the road and found a big access gate unlocked which saved the scramble through the hole again.

Even got home in time for a toasted cheese and ham sandwich and a slice of birthday cake, while watching the hail and sleet lash down outside. If cold it was at least sunny in Manchester.