** Still Alive And Kicking - Not Down And Out.***

It has been about 5 weeks since I posted, I have been out occasionally but never out long enough lately to write a decent post. I have went to Oare a short time ago to look for the Spotted Crake but after a hour and no sighting I called it a day, for certain reasons I wasn't able to stay.

Pam and I have just come back from a break in North Norfolk, to see friends. 2 trips was taken to bird reserves, the first to Titchwell. When we arrived the car park was absolutely full because 2 of the wardens was taking parties around the reserve. After going to the Parinder Hide where the highlight was a Pygmy Shrew on the path, and the Island Hide I didn't even bother making a list. I have been there on many occasions and seen a good number of birds, but this time it was a waste of time.
Hoping to do better the only other stop was, of course, Cley. We went into the centre for a snack and I checked the board to see what was seen that day and it showed nothing of interest, just my luck.
I walked down to the 3 hides to see for myself and it was right, another poor day, apart from the usual common species there was nothing to write home about.
On the way to Cley I called in to Cley Spy, if you haven't been there it is a big shop sells optics clothing , books etc. I went there to see if they had any eye cups for my Swarovski 8x32 EL's which they did. As with dealing with Swavoski direct there is no charge for them.
On the way home we stopped off at Pensthorpe WWT. When we arrived we had a nice surprise because there was a vintage Fair on, everything from old cars, gypsy caravans, tractors, traction engines and  items that would have been bought in shops in those days.

** If anyone is ever in the Fakenham area call in to the Kinnerton chocolate factory. Next door in the department store in the corner they sell off bags of various chocolates...cheap, well worth the visit, trust me.**

At the moment Kent birding is the place to be, hopefully I will be able to get out for a while now and again to see some of these good birds that are about.

I am going to try to read  and comment on various blogs when I can, hopefully it won't be long before I have something to post, on the wildlife front.