Crikey, its months since I last wrote my Blog and so much has happened. First let me bring you up to date on my latest books. er..yes books!
I have just about finished 'Once they were Eagles'  a story about the Battle of Britain, to be published before September...hopefully after the editor has finished eating up my pages...however
The next book, 'The Surgeon' will shortly follow before Xmas....
Now then, this month has been great weather in England......Ah! I hear you say...typical English...But no I am so used to the heat of Marxuquera and Valencia.  There I was sitting in the sun at the International Air Day at Fairford in Glos.was far easier than I expected,.31 degrees...not bad...cool dude, cool shirt, on my bike a lot   of time  keepingcool in the beer tent.
Now let me tell you about Kempsford camping...Easily the best camp site in the south of England....on the edge of the American air base....no need to go into the base just sit having a beer and the jets fly over you...In the evening live music., I mean Live music. Rock, the lot (A lot of the campers were a little older than the norm!
I took my new tent, cooked breakfast only all the rest of our meals were in the RED LION (where the land lady is one of natures treasures...she should have a peerage.  In 2008 we were flooded out and she saw to that we ate breakfast opening her pub to 28 of us...at 6 am in the morning...flooded out of the 'Last Chance' campsite where I resolved never to go again...and I tell anyone who listens, exactly why.
At my age I still prefer camping even though I had a great caravan and  I am actively considering buying a camper van. I understand why some of the richest men on the planet go out into the desert with their tent (albeit a large tent forgoing every,,,Well nearly every luxury..don't you jus' love em!

So after that heart stopping excitement what's in store? Certainly a holiday in the Isle of Man where I haven't been since around 1967-68.....taking my car this time rather than hiring one....A week in Amsterdam proved a success....a weekend cycling in Cornwall...Ah..I must tell you about one of the best hotels in Wadebridge.. Cornwall, The Molesworth Hotel...an old Coaching Inn .handy for the cycle path to Padstow where you can call into  Ricky Steins extravaganza...costly fish and chips...I like the bloke though ...made good.
   Its not often (at my age)  can you can have the privilege of meeting 15 of your old school mates. I went to Liverpool to meet them, and  have a great meal in a posh hotel private room, drink a few beers together and talk about old times...Two of the guys came from Canada,,, Peter Crompton and Ted Chapman ( both Canadians)   they play golf in a golf tournament called the Canada cup donated by Ted,   every  year they play for the cup....I tried the game when I lived in Spain,lots  of expensive lessons,..bit cissy for me,,,but who am I to criticise. Each to their own.
 I still like the mountains...though not climbing as  I used to do....but I am here with a resolve to be here next year as well.

not edited...sorry!

Les Lunt

Imagine...a boat, full of birdwatchers, all seeking the elusive Avocet. No-one was disappointed. From Topsham on a small ferry, (no cover, open to the weather) but  every kind of bird promised on the crib sheet. Avocets by the dozen, both feeding or in flight. Other waders by the hundred. Swarms of Brent geese, Curlews Godwits Lapwings,Greenshanks and Redshanks, and the lovely Dunlin.
The cry of the Oyster catcher, Sanderling Wigeons, and rumours, though not seen, a Kingfisher.
A swift pint of Doombar and the journey home, frozen to the marrow, necessitationg in a hot bath.
The weather is too cold to cycle and my knee is playing up so walking is difficult....the bike seems to be the answer.
  Two ducks I must mention, the Red-breasted Merganser...(only saw a male)  and lots of Shelducks...
I think back to my house in Spain when at certain time of the year, the garden would have a dozen or so Egrets. (Not the Little Egret as seen in the UK). One late autumn we were entertained by hunderds  (truly with no exaggeration) of Swallows. In my garage we entertained three pairs of Swallows where every spring they came from Africa.
I like to believe they were saying 'thank you.' They gave a wonderful disp[aly (viewed fro the terrace, then after a good twenty minutes, they flew off.... not to return until the following Spring.