Even during the days prior to my encountering the White Storks over West Stourmouth (my previous post) I'd not been feeling too sparkling. It was, however, the Tuesday (19th August) when it really kicked in and I was able to confirm the dreaded lurgy, thanks to some test kits I had in the kitchen cupboards as a consequence of Bev's health issues. Symptoms were constantly changing, as the infection ran it's course, and included headaches, high temperatures, coughing, muscle ache, zero appetite and compete lack of energy. I seem to have been spared the loss of taste and smell which others have experienced. All I can say is that is was a most unpleasant period and I can't ever recall feeling so poorly, although this could easily be age related? On a positive, I am happy to report that I tested negative on Tuesday afternoon and am now well on the way to getting over this bloody virus. I am truly grateful for the efforts of my neighbours Terry & Glynis - who actually kept Bruno for three nights, and Maddie who, along with Glynis, have taken Bruno out for exercise on a daily basis whilst I'd been laid up.
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| A very unexpected addition to the 2025 garden list |
Thankfully, however, things are on the mend and I'm feeling better by the day. I had run the garden moth trap during the entire period, yet the strong easterlies ensured that nothing out of the ordinary turned up on the egg trays. For me, the best moth of the week was a Red Underwing, a species which is very irregular on Thanet, yet used to be an annual visitor to the garden in Ash. An imm Common Whitethroat was a nice surprise when it visited the bird bath and four Common Swifts, overhead, on the 22nd looked like they might be my last sighting of the year.
This proved not to be the case, as I took Bruno for a wander across Hacklinge Marsh on Wednesday (27th) and was confronted by an extraordinary movement of Swallows (c. 2,700), Sand Martins (c. 800+) and 60+ Common Swifts. Probably over within forty-five minutes, it was an absolute privilege to witness this phenomenon happening at a local site, whilst taking Bruno for a walk.
Nothing else to report, although I am hopeful that blogging will, once again, return to some level of regular input as my energy levels return?
Glad your ok Dylan , was wondering why no posts as been wandering how the new drain campaign was going , I’ve managed 2 a common and a mirror … a very good mirror , in four 4 hr sessions but what a challenge ,they really are wild , they may visit bait , take a bit and just disappear they will eat one type and then not touch that again only to eat the bait they didn’t want in first place , they truly do want they want on there times can B anywhere in the drain and there is a massive element of luck even if you use skill to place your rig they may just glide on by , still that’s why we love it , hope to see you down there sometime , glad your on the mend nick s
ReplyDeleteHi Nick,
DeleteMany thanks for this comment. Your success on the drain is good to hear, as I've yet to experience a bite in four visits (before the covid kicked in!) Are you going to attend the PAC meetings at The Ethelbert PH, Reculver, this Pike season?
I promise that I'll email you for a proper catch up - Dyl
Once your back from hols let me know the dates again and let’s have a proper catch up I do love a bit of lure fishing and we have a wonderful river from fordwich to plucks gutter I no lures might not be your thing but imagine 7 am start cut end back in van to grove a pint then to plucks another pint ??? Fading light Fresh air company who cares if only a small jack pops up if you’re lucky …that’s time well spent ….nice to hear your on the mend best time to get it really you’ll be immune for the winter now .have the best time away and keep making them stories
DeleteI assumed that you'd buggered off to your regular Greek oasis. Guess that's yet to come.
ReplyDeleteGot it in one Derek - Kefalonia bound in mid-September
DeleteGlad you're back in the running Dyl. A tough few days for you there mate. We'll all wait with anticipation for the next instalment. Always worth the read.
ReplyDeleteHi Ric,
DeleteThis episode has been the toughest period of ill-health I've ever experienced. I'm pretty sure that the aging process played a big role in the situation, but I'm very glad that it's now behind me and I'm well on the road back to normality.
All the best - Dyl