Swirling mists and glorious skies

 You know that feeling - that shrill brittle metallic air on a crisp winter's day. One that sends icy chills through gaps in clothing and makes your breath catch as you inhale.

Well, after what feels to have been weeks of dreary pathetic grey days, a sharp blue sky cut through the driech - oh what joy! To see the sky - to actually see that endless blue from horizon to horizon made my heart sing.

We are weather watchers - Himself and I, me coz of my work and him coz he just loves the intricacies and unpredictability of a maritime climate - so we knew that Saturday was going to be a gem of a day. It surpassed our expectations. It was utterly sublime. 

We parked near Leighton Moss, our plan was to do a circular walk to culminate with the starlings returning to the reedbeds for the night. We love watching the murmurations, listening to the woosh of the wings and marvelling at the choreography of the swirling birds. 

Everywhere was still very waterlogged, huge puddles drenching fields, paths squelching under foot and rivers full and bubbling. 

Through the reedbeds, where the birds roost overnight, a long straight causeway gives access across the moss. However even that was submerged, transforming the usual stony route to a watery canal where only those visitors with wellie boots could traverse. 

We walked as far as we could and remained on the edge of the last raised bit of the track and watched the few starlings that flew over head. Disappointingly few - we discussed whether it was because we were on the outer edge of the reedbeds or were there definitely fewer birds than ever.

However were were captivated by the silvery mist which swirled around the walkers who managed to quietly splash along the causeway. Carefully lifting booted feet so not to create too big a splash or sound to startle any birds or wet any other pedestrians. 

As the sun slid down behind the reeds, most folk wandered off however we lingered and were rewarded by a reasonably large swarm of starlings swirling overhead. 

Then, when it was almost fully dark, we tore ourselves away and returned to the van reluctant to finish the day.

Post Script : hope you managed to enjoy the much better weather this weekend and topped up your battery levels - I have found the dreary grey stuff quite draining.