The days are getting noticeably longer

The birds are responding in full voice. Staking their territory and hoping to entice a mate. Its Saturday and I’ve been in the office. It’s a fair afternoon and I’m counting down the hours until I can speed home and get out for a walk before I lose the last of the light.

I head straight for the Millennium Green in the hope of catching Fiona – we’re keen to see the sterling work the grafters have done repairing the gate and replacing the battered wooden fence. After a cheery catch-up with Fiona and the Hounslows I walk the final few feet over the bridge, I turn into the entrance when I spot a flitting shape in the air above me – the first bat of the season!

Trawling for insects around 2 metres from the surface of Smite lane. It’s so close I can almost touch it. Unperturbed it continues in a rough relay – back and forth, with the occasional spiral, twist or dip. I watch in awe as it does a few loops directly above my head!

I finally drag myself away and enter the Millennium Green. The gate and fencing look great – Thanks guys.

I make a full lap of the field, taking in the newly erected dens that have sprung up and the area of cleared brambles. Then back through the willow arch and up the Smite and onto Gibson’s Bridge. A pause to take in the amazing sunset. Back towards the village looking over my shoulder at the sunset that’s intensifying by the minute. The orange is bouncing off the grey clouds and reflecting in the  puddles left in the fields by the floods.

Even though walking seems to be the only permitted activity during lockdown- it never wears thin. I feel a deep connection to the village and the nature that shares our wonderful space.