D is for Dream and the search for the green heron

Some strange dreams last night - all of them (as Lord H kindly pointed out) having to do with the letter D. First of all I was stuck in a cave or potholing (something I'd never do in real life, I assure you!), having some kind of adventure. There was a big explosion and I was trapped underground and ... well ... died. I then fastforwarded to my funeral, where Lord H was obviously rather devastated. I didn't like that idea at all, so (in my dream) I decided to dream it again, and this time I managed to survive the explosion, and solve the mystery, and everyone was happy, hurrah. In the second dream, Lord H and I were planning to get a dog (we're not too keen on dogs, so I can't work that one out at all), and asked some friends what to do about getting it through Fireworks Night. One friend said that the best thing to do was close all the windows and doors, turn the TV on really loud and stare into the dog's eyes whilst swaying. This would make it think it was a robot and it then wouldn't be afraid of loud noises. Hmm, so that's clear then. What can it all mean???

Anyway, today, Lord H and I got up at the crack of dawn and drove down to Hythe, near Folkestone, for the simple purpose of spotting the green heron that seems to have been blown there from its usual habitat in America and has been there for the last week. I was convinced we had no chance, but bloody hell we saw it!! What an amazing bird!! And so good at posing for ten minutes on a branch about 10 feet from our noses. Utterly amazing and magical, and one of the best things that's happened all week. You can find out more about this wonderful bird here and the picture is just exactly what it looked like too.

Fresh from that triumph, we drove to Dungeness RSPB reserve and walked round the trail in the wind and driving rain. My new coat works, you'll be glad to know - and thank goodness I remembered the hand-warmers. Lord H and I both needed them. Highlights there were the 4 or 5 marsh harriers which were flying all over the reserve together - astonishing to see so many of them in one place - but one of the women there told us they'd bred there for the last two years, which would explain it. Must have been a family. We also spotted a dunnock, loads of shovellers, teal, gadwall, a (grey!) heron or two and the usual suspects. My, but it was chilly and not many people around, surprise surprise. Only sad fools like us then ... Did I say we've seen a green heron today?

Back home, I am limbering up for Strictly Come Dancing (come on, John! Come on, Jodie!) and a Chinese takeaway from Waitrose. And dreaming of herons of all colours. Lovely.

1. Seeing a green heron (did I mention that?)
2. The marsh harrier family
3. Strictly Come Dancing.