On Reflection

A morning walk along the canal is always a good start to the day. Cloudy and overcast, but it was dry. We have dogs L and H staying and as soon as I walk into the kitchen in the morning they are bouncing off the walls, can't wait to get out. Dad still showing interest so picked him up on the way.

It's not particularly early - 8am - but the birds are lively. Dad spots a movement on a nearby bush - a grey wagtail! What a lovely surprise, haven't seen one for a year or more. The first one I see has quite muted colours - then I see the male on a nearby perch with a much brighter breast and the little black bib. They don't seem particularly bothered by our presence either and stay even as we resume our walk past them.

It's fairly quiet along the tow path at this time of day, a few other dog walkers and people using the tow path as a more direct route to work in Cwmbran. So the sudden "plop" in the canal nearby is such a contrast to the stillness and immediately draws our attention. The giveaway sapphire blue streak reveals a Kingfisher returning to its perch above the canal. Again, it doesn't seem particularly bothered by our presence as it sits and stuffs its face with the fish it's just speared. A few minutes passes and it's off again, diving into the canal and presto, another fish! After a few minutes we pass on our way along the canal. We return maybe ten, fifteen minutes later. The Kingfisher is entertaining some other dog walkers with its antics. What a performer.

Settle in to a half day on my next project, this time some tender documents for another Client. The crashing boredom relieved by lunch with K2, then back to it for a couple more hours.

Late afternoon and time to prepare to pick up J for a meal in Cardiff with a Client. Haven't exactly prepared properly and my assumption that it's at one hotel turns out to be wrong. J laughs and tells everyone not only was I late picking him up but I took him to the wrong hotel! [All true of course]. In my defence we did arrive in plenty of time for the meal. Good meal and catch-up with several people I haven't seen for a few years. The evening becomes night and soon it's time to leave, having acquired another passenger to deliver to nearby Sebastopol. Had the opportunity of talking photography too during the evening, so maybe a photography commission from it too - who says there's no such thing as a free lunch!