Midges invasion

 Friday 25th

What a horrible night. The rain never let up, and the wind howled through the trees in pulsating rhythms. The skylight blind annoyingly rattled with every gust, sleep was almost impossible. In the end, the only way to stop the incessant rattle was to put a hand towel on top of the blind. That worked a treat, and even the rain stopped long enough for both of us to drift off.

We awoke late, rain was still falling, and after breakfast we wondered what on earth we would do today. Decided to go back to the visitor center and ask what else was there around here to do in the wet weather. Answer nothing! Kielder Forest is all about outdoor pursuits. 

Options then, there is the Castle, (outside) the Bird of Prey center, (outside) bird hides (inside but have to be walked too) or just stay in MB and get bored. We decided to get the wet weather gear on, go see the castle and then walk to some of the bird hides. So the castle, scaffolding on the outside and Harris fencing around the perimeter, was closed for refurbishment. Off instead to the hides and hoping for a midge free walk. I had liberally sprayed all exposed skin with a super strength insect jungle spray so thankfully was free from those blighters, Ian on the other hand didn't bother, and although I could see him now and then swatting something, he wouldn't admit he had made a mistake. Anyway, the hide overlooked the forest on one side and the lake on the other, guess what...not a critter of any shape or size to be seen!

The walk to the hides

 This was pretty neat,

Back we went to the visitor center, parked in the car park overlooking the water and had lunch. The rain had stopped by then, so a discussion was had about going to the Birds of Prey. Lunch over and was about to set off when the heavens opened. "Give it a minute or two", said Ian, "Those black clouds look to be passing over". Hmm, his couple of minutes lasted an hour! Needless to say we never did get to the Birds of Prey, time was now 15.45 and the flying of the Raptors would be well and truly finished.

We did go back to yesterdays hide, the one where we should see Red Squirrels. Unlucky once again as  not a Red squirrel anywhere. What we did see was a small mouse foraging amongst the seeds.

 The Kielder forestry commission allows overnight parking for the fee of £10. One of the car parks overlooks the reservoir, and this was our preferred place. And as an added bonus, we had TV and internet!

 

A toilet block was not but 50 yds from where we parked, goodie we thought, no need to use ours. But...and this was a big but, those midges came out in force not long after 6 pm. I truly was going to make a dash and hope for the best, but the thought of a bare bottom being a massive target for these beasties made me think again. Nop...our toilet it will have be then! 

And that was just a few of the blighters. MB was completely surrounded.

And wildlife seen at the second hide,