Flaming June

Having spent so much time book sorting, it was time to go outside and dip into summer. To cover as large an area as possible, I hopped on my bike.  I was prepared for anything, wearing mostly florescent yellow, a dabbing of factor 50 and sunglasses - just in case the sun was out. As usual, there was also a stash of food, which adds to the general sense of adventure. 

First impressions

It was blustery, with a strong wind batting at the water, clouds, growing things and cyclist. It wasn't particularly warm, as the wind was playing ping-pong with the clouds, in an attempt to cover the sun.

A good day for kite surfers

Except that today's local paper reports, 'Kitesurfer tells of his dramatic coast rescue'. Not necessarily the one above, but one who 'thought he was going to die after he got into difficulty when his arm became tangled in the lines of his kite which dragged him through the water for 300 metres'. It was a story with a happy ending, thanks to the RNLI. 

Empty beach

It definitely wasn't bucket and spade weather and the beach was understandably deserted. Cycling into the wind was challenging and exhilarating. I was grateful for the factor 50 for added wind protection. 

Red flags flying 

It was by no means all gloom and doom, so long as one was well wrapped and wasn't on holiday. There were certainly many cheery sights to be seen.

Appropriately attired 

A tranquil scene 

Avocets and Robins

These pictures should be videos of an Avocet amongst the many looking stunning on an icy Exe Estuary this morning, and a Robin singing its heart out high up in a hedge. They were reluctant to load (not the birds), so I may try later. I hope the replacements capture the mood of what has been a spectacularly sunny day - for January. I didn't know that I would encounter Avocets when I set off without binnoculars this morning, but the mud was plastered with them and plenty of other waders.

There were also loads of people about, including a boatload of Avocet watchers, a range of walking birders, a digi-scoper and the usual dog walkers. One insisted on repeatedly calling 'Freddie' whilst I was camcording, so if the Avocet clip ever makes this blog, the bird isn't called by that name.

It really is ice in the image on the left and above left which gives an idea of how cold it was yesterday, and particularly last night. The fire was burning brightly indoors and, as I seem to be doing with just about everything in my enthusiasm for January, I took a few photos in between playing Scramble on my i phone and watching The Flying Doctors on tv. I'll leave that image to your imagination, unless I get any special requests - which are always welcome. Well, tomorrow is the last day of this fine month and I will do my best to show it off to full advantage.