RSPB on Rainham Marshes

While having grandson Oliver to stay last week our days out where of wild life and nature reserves.

Here we are at one of our local RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) reserves next to The River Thames

Looking down on the Blue Dragonflies

did not manage to capture them on my camera

Spying a Frog

Many board walks cross the marshes and waterways

He spotted a Heron, Godwits, and a Marsh Harrier and three flocks of Canadian Geese circling

Not another photograph!

An old discarded Ant Hill with tunnels running through it

Grandma decided not to go through the tunnels but just walk to the top!

Then half way round Oliver thought he would explore a turn stile! Of course it was a one-way style! We had no choice but to follow him, especially as the river was just over the bank.

So tea and cakes and ice-cream at the visitors centre (where we had lunch) instead of completing the walk.

We had walked the riverside before lunch.

Boys will be boys

Meeting with Old Friends

Thursday found me meeting up with two old friends, Meryl in the middle I had not seen for over 20 years. Mary on the left however stayed with us a couple of years ago. Isn't it amazing when you can pick up as if it was only yesterday!

As Mary and Meryl were just passing through we met up at a Discovery Centre/Museum and Garden where we could pass most of the day sitting and chatting in the Garden Cafe as unfortunately in rained for a lot of the day so could not sit outside. We did however manage to walk around between the showers

This was a local council run garden offering help and advice on all kinds of garden situations including such things as crop rotation.

The place included a golf course, cricket pitch, running track, adventure playground, museum, craft gallery with extra events on for children, and it was free (with only extra events to be paid for).

It was interesting to see it being used by the very young right up to many disabled people in wheelchairs. Certainly a popular place for the residents of Luton town. 

Anyone  remember these, we had one in the back yard

The centre was right next to Luton Airport but the constant noise of the planes and the noise level from inside - it is school holiday time (and there was a great adventure playground) made conversation quite a challenge.

However it was a good enjoyable time catching up and all looking forward to visits in the future.

Even our journey both ways with lane closures, incidents, queuing traffic, congestion and to top it all an exit closure did not squash our delightful day.

A highlight of the day? When walking around the garden a message boomed out on the tannoy - 

"Would Barbara Rogerson come to Customer Services IMMEDIATELY!

What Had I done? My handbag had been found and handed in - it contained credit cards,  Switch card, purse with cash, drivers licence, new mobile phone and much more.

Neither Alan or myself had missed it as we were balancing, macs, umbrellas, rucksack, camera, handbag between us while I took photos.

So relieved and grateful to God for His Mercy.