nature walk

A Nature Weekend and Bird Watching Challenges

Scott Andrew BaileyLeave a comment

This weekend we decided to relax a bit and get out and about in the country. This was partly down to my musings about bird watching. My wife wanted to do some walking, as did I, rather than cycling this time around. The two things – bird watching and walking – immediately made me think of the marshes near us. Haven’t been there for years and what a surprise! It’s always been a lovely place to walk, now it has been taken over by a wildlife trust and they have made some great improvements – including installing some bird watchers hides.

After that, we went to a local woodland park that used to be a gunpowder mill. I have never been there – tough Rachel and the kids have. Again I was pleasantly surprised.

Anyway here are a few pictures of the day – and I am hoping there some ornithologists or keen birders out there who might help identify some of these.

Trying to capture swallows! Rare to see them these days and so low as well.
An oystercatcher? Or a lapwing? anyone know?
Again – what are these big black birds? There are some other angles later on. I think they may shags? Or are they just geese? I need a better telephoto lense.
I know this one! A heron in the reeds 🙂

Alexander’s Half Term Adventures

Scott Andrew BaileyLeave a comment

This one spookily fits today’s Daily Prompt. #DailyPrompt

A bit of guest post here – from Bailey junior – courtesy of homework duty.

Alexander’s Half Term Adventures

By Alexander Bailey

My family and I went for an adventure in the park.

First, we went over the bridge to play pooh sticks.

Also, we went on a nature walk and rare yellow 7 spotted ladybird.

Photo by Scott Bailey
Photo by Scott Bailey

Next, we climbed a really big hill that had a windy path that led to a secret hideout. Also, the path was very steep.

20170219_150222 20170219_150623 20170219_150633

We also saw more hideouts.

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After that, we rolled down a grassy, muddy hill.

Then we went bird watching and saw some ducks and a dove. After that, we played pooh sticks again.

20170219_152823 20170219_153337

On last Thursday I went scootering with my grandad and cousin.

We also made a den at home.

20170218_155901

The End

Alexander’s Half Term Adventures

Scott Andrew BaileyLeave a comment

A bit of guest post here – from Bailey junior – courtesy of homework duty.

Alexander’s Half Term Adventures

By Alexander Bailey

My family and I went for an adventure in the park.

First, we went over the bridge to play pooh sticks.

Also, we went on a nature walk and rare yellow 7 spotted ladybird.

Photo by Scott Bailey
Photo by Scott Bailey

Next, we climbed a really big hill that had a windy path that led to a secret hideout. Also, the path was very steep.

20170219_150222 20170219_150623 20170219_150633

We also saw more hideouts.

20170219_145129 20170219_150004 20170219_151518

After that, we rolled down a grassy, muddy hill.

Then we went bird watching and saw some ducks and a dove. After that, we played pooh sticks again.

20170219_152823 20170219_153337

On last Thursday I went scootering with my grandad and cousin.

We also made a den at home.

20170218_155901

The End

Updates

Scott Andrew BaileyLeave a comment

So I haven’t blogged much beyond the poem a day. It has been a bust couple of weeks. Partly because of work, partly because we have been on holiday so have been giving the computer a rest.

So here is a quick prĂ©cis of the past few weeks – more for my own reference really.

It started with a visit from the Social Worker about a possible match. This was a time of mixed emotions. The situation is about as ideal as you could get – as far as these situations go. The child in question has been in care since birth – so has never suffered any abuse or anything – but has had several moves already.

The issue with this case is concerns over the mothers ability to look after him. And that is because of the horrendous life she has had.

I felt something I hadn’t really expected to feel – guilt about the idea of taking her child away from her.

Yet if we don’t someone else will and if they didn’t then the child would have a terrible life itself.

Much to think about.

Anyway it may all come to nothing. This is early matching and other couples are also under consideration. There’s a lot of hurdles to go yet.

In other news. We have been popping about seeing friends and family. Alexander had two birthday parties to attend. One was a superhero theme and Alexander was one of several Supermen to go. The other was a lovely day at the beach.  We also saw two sets of his God Parents. We went to Herne Fun Day and Herne Bay and played in the arcades. We also went to Howlett’s Zoo and to Legoland, Alexander loved this despite the hour-long queues for five-minute rides.

We took Alexander on a nature walk around the village.

We also had our final meeting with the social worker so are now just waiting our report – and then to panel! And onto matching.

On the adoption front we also made good progress on sorting out the rooms. Alexander’s room is refreshed and he now has his big bed set up – with dinosaur duvet! The spare room is 99% ready too. Just need to convert Alexander’s old cot bed back to a cot.

And finally – if you hadn’t noticed – I self published my book! Yay!

So busy busy times.