An update on the last 2 weeks including a maritime disaster

As you can see some of us had a really nice relaxing Christmas!

We had a great time, my mother came to stay which in it's self was a special event. It was the first time she had stayed away from home in over 25 years. Needless to say we made sure she had a good time. The village looked great in it's coat of snow and the temp outside never rose much above freezing. The garden was had an almost permanent frost covering but I do still have some lettuce ready to pick under glass.

Before Christmas I left you guessing what my Christmas present might be, well the answer was a kayak paddle. I have got myself an inflatable kayak to allow me to explore the rivers around here for wildlife. Anyway excited by my present I was desperate to try it out so the day after Christmas I was out on the Great Ouse, unfortunately due to a mistake by me I only half inflated it. It still worked but not very well, it also filled up with very cold water. If you look at the third picture you will see how it was sagging in the middle.

Having dried it and myself out I took it out again yesterday on the river Cam. It was -1 c so I made sure I wrapped up warm. The kayak worked great, the power unit failed after about an hour (New Year resolution = get fit), but in that hour I managed to get close to a grey heron , saw a kingfisher and was nearly hit by a mute swan taking off so I think the wildlife plan is a good one.