The Pinkhill owl.....our luck was in! And what did I say about meeting with more bloggers???

First a Big Big thank you to Sue (no problem). If it wasn't for her post in June we wouldn't have even thought of stopping on the meadow. The BBQ was well underway with meat done to a T and us supping  a glass of beer and devouring the delicious food cooked by Ian, and then..... there it was! Flew straight across the back of the meadow. I nearly lost my dinner in the haste of getting to the camera! Anyway I make no excuse of the amount of photos I'm putting on 'cause I was that excited at finally seeing my first wild barn owl.

Timer selfie.

So today armed with both cameras I went walkabout. Gone for nearly 2 hours, minding my own business, chatting away to a fisherman on the opposite bank to FS  when.... whistling and laughter coming from FS's direction. Looking toward the sound 2 boats moored near FS. Then it dawns on me. Diane and Ray Nb Ferndale and Andy and Sue Nb Festina Lente both stopped to say hello. I high tailed it back (well I tried but kept getting waylaid by fisherman and other boaters wanting to chat) eventually reaching them by wading through some considerably long grass! Out came the chairs, table, tea and biscuits and a very pleasant few hours were spent chatting about boaty things, Aussie and how bl**dy cold it had suddenly turned. Yep that wind went right through us so much so that Sue resorted to putting on long trousers in place of her shorts and everyone (with exception to Ian) put on fleeces. We had hoped they would stay for this evening especially as Diane rather fancied seeing the owl but it was not to be and they left for the moorings we vacated at the Godston nunnery ruins. Do hope we meet up again soon especially as UNO was mentioned. Apparently they are all big fans of the game and I want to introduce them to Mexican Train!!

View from the opposite bank. Left is FS and breasted Ferndale and Festina Lente.

L to R. Ian, Ray, Diane, Andy and Sue.

And leaving us to our solitude.