Club Together

Manchester Canoe Club is based in Marple on the banks of the river Goyt to the east of Stockport. This was where I some of my formative paddling years learning all about moving water, slalom and river touring.

Last weekend I was joined by some of the Manchester gang on Anglesey, for what was to be the first time in a sea kayak for many of them.

On Saturday morning, having collected kayaks from 'Summit to Sea', we headed off to Bull Bay on the north coast in search of rockhopping and adventure.

The rockhopping was great fun but the brickworks at Porth Wen was a real treat where we found plenty more small gaps to get stuck into.

Thanks to to the gang for filling the weekend with so much entertainment and good fun. I'm sure we'll do it all again very soon.

Spring Twitter

I have never known the birds around my flat to be so lively. Over the last 6 weeks I have heard robins and great tits singing from 3 o'clock in the morning.

Just outside my bedroom window there is an oak tree. This is where a pair of courting crows chose to declare their partnership to the rest of the neighbourhood. Once they had woken me up (around 5am) they would fly away and quietly find their breakfast.

The antics of the smaller birds like blue tits, robins and goldcrests always keep me entertained. When the Goldfinches turn up there is never a dull moment. With that flash of colour, it comes as no surprise that their name in Gaelic translates as 'light of the forest'.

The star of the show put in an appearance earlier this week. I had heard him a week earlier making his rat-a-tatt drumming call. I'd love to find out where this greater spotted woodpecker is nesting but he is secretive and good at hiding.