It’s been a challenging few months, all the more reason to appreciate the ordinary, like walking independently thanks to the support of my physiotherapist. On the many sunny days we’ve enjoyed over summer, it’s been great to get out and about around Devon, breathe fresh air and just appreciate the surrounds.
The first stop is Stover Park. With a lake, woodland, and marshes, it’s a haven for wildlife – real and wooden carvings. I had high hopes for spotting a buzzard – I’ve had a close encounter there before – but this was not to be. Instead, a bold robin red breast watched over the array of ducks and geese as we wandered by. And once the circuit was complete and a picnic consumed, we took a drive up onto nearby Dartmoor, where a herd of hopeful wild ponies were congregating near to a parked ice-cream van.
There are many things I love about where I live, one of them being close to the sea. The quaint town of Shaldon boasts Smugglers tunnel and a history of piracy, and is a short ferry ride from the port town of Teignmouth.
And there we were lucky enough to stumble across an art project, lining the length of the sea front. Teignmouth Recycled Art in the Landscape was a colourful display of sculptures raising awareness of environmental issues.
Last up was a trip to Hawkridge bird of prey centre. The array of owls, hawks, falcons and eagles were stunning. All rescues, it was astounding to think of inexperienced people buying one of these birds as easily as if it was a jack russell terrier, then locking it in a shed or a cupboard because they simply had no idea how to take care of it. With these horrific past abuses, it was heartening to see these marvellous creatures so well taken care of.
So we settled back to watch a flying display, which in some cases took a while. The birds flew freely, some flying off, before they were good and ready to return. And they always did return of their own free will. Then came the European owl who quite simply decided, ‘Nah, don’t think I can be bothered to fly. I think I’ll just sit on this bench a while’.
Then came the bird handling session, with willing volunteers among the kestrels, hawks and falcons. Go Kate, making friends with a bald headed eagle!
I gave it a go but it was as heavy as it looks, and with my muscles still in the process of building up, getting up close to some of the smaller birds was more comfortable and no less fabulous.
The last is a harris hawk, the second time this year I’ve had the chance to get up close with a character from book 2 of Blood Gift Chronicles, where the theme of wildlife continues as a backdrop to the story. The final draft has begun with renewed vigour as I work towards 2020 being the year The Warder is published…
Wishing everyone a good week ahead.
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