It is sometime ago since we arrived back in the UK from our last NZ trip. Our intention was to ease gradually back into our usual activities. With great sadness involved we were back to work sooner than expected.
We immediately learned that our friend Alan had taken ill about three weeks after we had left. On our departure to NZ we thought that he was on the mend from his cancer operation. We visited him in hospital on Monday 17th March. When we left him we had feeling that there was still hope only to learn that he had been sent home and it was terminal. For me this meant picking up on hall duties.
On Wednesday, despite the not so nice weather, we felt a need to get away for a minute. This we did by spending a couple of hours walking around Attenborough nature reserve. Even though there had been a lot of rain the ground was surprisingly dry. The pale greens of spring were in evidence and the blue sky added a contrasting colour.
As noted the paths were dry and for once we walked further in the direction of Long Eaton than on previous occasions. I was struck by the whiteness of an island. I think that it was white from powder rather than the guano that we saw in NZ.
Swans flying low over the reservoirs were worthy of attempting a shot or two.
The riverside chalets were reminiscent of the baches of NZ.
On the way back to the car park we made our customary visit to the hide where food was out and we were not disappointed by what we saw. Even the rats were out in force.
Further along we were accosted by a young man who asked us if he was near the hide on the tower. I pointed to nearby structure. Then we stopped for more waterbird shots.
The walk ended with a lovely soup meal on the balcony of the visitors centre. This is always a suntrap and even in cold weather it is a pleasant place to sit.
Work continued and my visits to Alan was as often as possible. On the 24th we arranged to take Joni and Fiona out for a meal. This was partly for her birthday and partly to say thank you for keeping a watch on the house while were away. After consultation we decided to go to the Hog's Head pub in Awsworth. The food was good but with hindsight we should have considered something more 'up market'.
Now for something completely different. Some of the people who use the community centre find it difficult to put the chairs and tables back in their right places in the hall. One of our committee members had the bright idea of taking photographs. Here is an uncropped example. I can't say that the idea has been a complete success.
Despite everything, including the weather, we kept up with our Wednesday walking. It was fine until we got out of the car and started the long walk up to Wollaton Hall. Our destination was the Azalea House. This took us passed the young deer in the park. At least the worst of the rain came while we were in admiring the azaleas. It stopped long enough for a dry walk back.
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