Tuesday 22 September
Tension is certainly growing across the country. Some people are getting more anxious, others more critical and frustrated.
The prime minister has been on the telly again this evening to address the nation. The last time he did this was to update us in the middle of it all in May. Before that it was to announce the lockdown back in March, almost exactly six months ago.
I have learned that it’s natural for me to seek natural distraction in times of stress. I had a relatively short drive into Colchester through the Ardleigh lanes to work today. Along a single lane my path was crossed by a magpie, pigeons, a number of crows and what I think were a darting flock of long tailed tits.
Then on the way home, I laughed out loud in the car as weasel ran across the road carrying what I think was one of its kitts. They occasionally have a second brood in August and the youngster did look pretty big. It might have been carrying some prey I guess but I’m going on the parenting option. It looked funny as it scurried across in the late afternoon sun. The shadow on the road making it look wider than it was.
Then a walk in the orchards behind our house again felt and smelt so Autumnal. The spell of good weather we have had over recent days warms the apples during the day. As the evening cools, the sweet smell radiates from the fruit like heat from the sun.
It’s the Autumn equinox today. At 2.30pm GMT the sun was directly above the equator, one of only two times in any year. This also means the day and the night are if equal length. In pagan tradition, the autumn equinox is known as Mabon and is when thanks is given to the summer and respect is offered to the on coming autumn.
The Bald Birder 