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 Tuesday May 25

Home since late afternoon on Sunday, seems like weeks since we were away. The joy of birding every day, with the only responsibilities being feeding ourselves and the car. 

The ferry crossing to Skye was calm. The ticket man referred to the previous day's stormy 45mph windy seas as 'normal'. We made steady progress, easily reaching each day's destination, thanks to Pam's excellent driving. It was very tiring, but we had time to recover in between. The only stop on the way home was at Carlisle Todhills.making it  320 miles on Saturday, 300 on Sunday. Greggs make excellent - and reasonably priced - hot chocolate. A recent discovery of ours, Greggs that is. Northeners have known for years.

We started counting birds as soon as we crossed the Norfolk border  We usually see very little - apart from Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons - before Kings Lynn. A Buzzard was first on the list this time. We were eager to see our first Swifts. West Rudham turned up trumps.

A small diversion via Flitcham added a Hare.

A roadside field's verge had this flower, which we don't recognise. It will be identified as soon as a book is found.

The garden looked lush, potatoes and onions well grown, visible from the house. Andrea,  who looked after our plants while we were away. reported that there had been enough (too much) rain to make outside watering unnecessary.

I have started editing my Hebrides photographs discarding the worst etc. I intend ending with one folder of the best available. The recycle bin will bulge.

Since then, I have been to the dentist, discovering that he was due at Papworth for a triple heart bypass to-day. He's 50.

 This morning, I went to the Eye Clinic at Cromer and had a Lucentis injection in my left eye. As we entered our village, having collected our prescriptions in North Walsham,  I saw a Hobby.

To-morrow I want to go birding for a Norfolk May list and all the migrants we've missed so far, really looking forward to that..