The Narrative
   Setting off in a brisk 12°C chill that felt much colder, I wisely grabbed an umbrella. Good job too—the heavens immediately opened, forcing me to retreat after just thirty minutes. Still, I managed to spot three herring gulls, a scattering of corvids, a male blackbird juggling a beak full of wriggling worms, and a busy wagtail pecking at the grass.
   Post-lunch, round two commenced with a walk to the seashore. The sky was alive with swifts darting on the wing, while a flock of starlings sought clever cover under a leafy tree. On the cliff side, I photographed some stunning wild poppies—vibrant bursts of purple, pink, and deep red that Google Lens later revealed to be opium poppies.

After passing a lone carrion crow intently drilling the ground and a sea-fisherman managing a small forest of rods, I turned for home, tracked by yet more circling swifts. Finally, a female mallard duck crossed my path, she was busy drinking rainwater from a puddle.

Today I walked for 2.33 miles in 51 minutes. Google Fit awarded me 21 heart points.

Copyright ©️ Text, photographs and videos Written by John Yeo – All rights reserved.