Day Two, Part One: Townend of Shutterflat, Beith
There were gales in the night so occasionally woken by gusts of wind but caravan was nice and stable so I was able to stay warm and dry. Woke at 06.45 this morning, which is the middle of the night at this latitude at this time of year. Got myself ready and took a short walk down to the River Ayr, armed with my stills camera, and perched by the side of the river to see whatever came by. I was hoping I might hear a dipper – a bird that lives alongside fast moving rivers and streams. I did hear one singing in the half light by the bridge but it was too gloomy to photograph. The river was like chocolate milk as it flowed by. I sat for about two hours and saw a grey wagtail and one or two other birds, otherwise it was pretty quiet.
I’ve seen all kinds of weather today from sleet, a little snow, wind and sun, and am currently looking out on a sunny scene .
Have now moved north to another CL - Townend of Shutterflat, in a quiet, rural spot near Beith. It’s a little farmstead outside the town and I’m in a spot overlooking farmland and hedgerow trees which is nice and peaceful.
I’m planning to visit some friends I’ve worked alongside before. They run a Wildlife Centre – Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Centre. It’s a charity where they look after animals in distress. When I first visited, they had rescued an otter which I filmed; they have a couple of seals at the moment. We’ll have a catch up and then I shall take the afternoon as it comes, returning to my caravan which is pitched and all ready for me.