The Rhyme of St. Swithin’s Day

There was a weather-rhyme well known throughout the British Isles since Elizabethan times.

'St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.'

St. Swithin's Day was the day where people watched the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather was like on the day, it will continue so for the next forty days. And if the recent weather was anything to go on, we will finally enjoy a prolonged spell of warm weather. The day’s outlook was sunny and warm and fingers –crossed, 40 more days of basking in this warm weather will come true. So that will take us up to August 26, making the school holidays sizzling and barbecues sales soaring. Bring it on…

A heat wave was defined by the Met Office as a continuous period where somewhere in the UK had a daytime temperature of 28C or above. So far, we now had 9 days of unbroken hot weather- the longest period of consecutive sunshine since July 2006, when the UK bathed in 16 days of glorious heat. Mercury levels rose liked Jack’s beanstalk during the Christmas panto. Gritters even took to the roads in Hampshire to spray a fine stone dust to prevent the tarmac from melting in the 32C heat. As the hot weather continued, the Met Office had ramped up their heat wave level from level 2 to level 3, one step below the maximum.

The University’s summer degree ceremonies took place during the hottest week of the year. What a time to celebrate our student’s successes and achievements with almost 4K graduating. Congratulations to all our graduates and graduands who received their degrees. I’m sure they had a wonderful sunny day. I wished them every success in their future careers and hoped they enjoyed their ceremonies. I also had the opportunity to meet RAB’s family who were there to celebrate her dad’s receiving his doctorate. We’d a very long chat in the lovely sunshine with promises to keep in touch.Amidst the celebrations, we received an e-mail about a security risk. The PG Hub was closed, again, owing to the risk of student groups seeking to occupy areas of the University buildings and disrupt activities and events, particularly during the degree congregation. The authorities didn’t want another bad publicity like they encountered during the Open days. Although the main library was a public building and was at less risk, and since there was heightened security throughout campus, it might be regarded as a fallback option for protestors.  

We’d a bit of a scare when one of our colleagues was taken to hospital. At first, he was complaining of dizziness and nausea. The brilliant First Aiders took him under their care and brought him to the sick room to have a lie down. But they began to get worried when he began to shiver and feeling cold even though outside was glorious sunshine and searing temperatures. The authority was informed and they decided to call the ambulance. He was diagnosed with heat exhaustion which occurred when the body’s internal cooling mechanism wasn’t functioning properly. Thankfully, it was treated quickly and he was back at work the next day. We were furious when he came to work because it was another extremely humid day but he survived :-).

I took Friday off for another road trip to Slimbridge WWT. According to the weatherman, the whole of the UK benefitted of an area of high pressure moving up from the south-west. The sun was like a warm rich and glowing Japanese lantern providing long afternoons filled with golden light. There were quite a lot of traffic on the road which was a surprise. After about 1.5 hours, we arrived in a very full parking lot but we still managed to find a space under a shady tree. As we walked along the gangway, we were serenaded by colourful Goldfinches twittering about the glorious weather.

Inside, along the walkway, we spotted frantic activities under the eaves.  Swallow were flying in and out of mud-nests  to feed their chicks. We stood under the sweltering sun rattling hundreds of shots. As we continued on, adorable Shelducks ducklings ran flapping their wings towards us, hoping to be fed. They gave us the evil eye when they saw us empty-handed. We checked out the Wader Shore to say hello to the Redshanks, Avocets, Ruffs and Black-winged stilts. The Ruffs were spectacular in their breeding colours. Outside, Rook chicks were harassing their parents for food. A joyful to watch.

From troubles of the world I turn to ducks,
Beautiful comical things
Sleeping or curled
Their heads beneath white wings
By water cool,

Or finding curious things
To eat in various mucks
Beneath the pool,
Tails uppermost, or waddling
Sailor-like on the shores
Of ponds, or paddling
- Left!  Right! - with fanlike feet
Which are for steady oars

 
When they (white galleys) float
Each bird a boat
Rippling at will the sweet
Wide waterway…
When night is fallen you creep
Upstairs, but drakes and dillies
Nest with pale water-stars.
Moonbeams and shadow bars,
And water-lilies:

 
Fearful too much to sleep
Since they've no locks
To click against the teeth
Of weasel and fox.
And warm beneath
Are eggs of cloudy green
Whence hungry rats and lean
Would stealthily suck
New life, but for the mien
The hold ferocious mien
Of the mother-duck

~Frank W Harvey~

We checked out the new Discovery Hide at South lake. The hide had been kitted out with modern decor, soft furnishings and birdwatching equipments especially tailored for children and beginners. We scanned the lakes for the Spoonbill which was the main reason why we were here. Unfortunately, after 3 days it decided to fly to another part of the reserve. Typical… A big flock of Black Tailed Godwits were fast asleep in the middle of the lake. Oyster catchers were busy feeding along the mud-banks. We were entertained by these very noisy Black-headed gull chicks begging for food. They were everywhere, screaming.

There was a flurry of excitement in the reserve as the sun-baking heat wave had provoked breeding behaviour among the Chilean Flamingos that resided in the South American pen. Usually, they laid their eggs much later in the season but the warmer weather had spurred them on raising hopes that this could be a bumper year of chicks. We were lingering by the pen when one of the warden who was walking past informed us that she was going  to gather an egg that had just being laid and we could photograph their excited behaviours.  Aviculturists at the Centre incubated the eggs by substituting the eggs from the nest for a wooden one. The hand-reared chicks then will be returned back to the flock.

The warden approached the breeding island from one dedicated path so as not to stress them out during feeding and observation. As soon as the Flamingos spotted her, they started flapping their wings and honking away, walking towards us. We were ready with our cameras rattling away. We watched her taking photographs of the nest before storing the egg in a biscuit tin. I ran after her to catch a glimpse of the egg. The eggs were incubated for 28 days so this one was due to hatch next month. Chilean Flamingos were classified as ‘Near Threatened’ by IUCN (the International Union for Nature Conservation) due to human activities damaging their breeding, feeding and resting sites.

We walked past the restaurant when we saw Caribbean flamingo chicks on the nest island. They had laid the eggs much earlier in the season. More chicks were hatching and could be seen in the nest mounds right against the back fence. The chicks that were slightly older were becoming more adventurous and were starting to explore their wider surroundings. And this lovely warm weather was perfect for them to be out and about testing the strength of their legs and feet. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any activities at the pink lagoon which housed the Greater flamingos. It would be amazing to see them because their mud nests mounds were very close to the sitting area.

We decided to venture to the Kingfisher hide. We seldom checked this hide because it was the furthest hide in the reserve. It was wonderful walking under the trees but the hide was like a sun-trap. It was so warm and humid even with all the windows wide open. The Kingfishers had already left but we could see the nesting holes on the river banks from the hide. We were engrossed by these powerful machines which were busy making hay into bales when the sun shines.  We also saw a few Hawkers and Darters but they were too fast to be photographed.

We scurried for cover as we walked to Martin Smith Hide. We didn’t planned to stay long as the sun scorched the hide. At first, we counted one Little Egret walking along the reed beds hunting for food. And then another one, and another one and another one … started popping out from the reed beds. Then at least a dozen more started falling down from the sky. We think they might be roosting here. We were soo excited because we’d never seen that many before. But when we checked the sighting book, 19 were seen earlier in the week. Amazing. What a sight to see before we headed home. We wanted to leave before the Friday getaway converged onto the roads.

“Hermit-like, he stands and muses

Until he seems to be

Moveless in dream-like silence lone,

Some spectre bird, or sculptured stone,

Or stump of scathed tree”

~Bernard Barton~

On Saturday, we attended Mouz and Jide’s wedding St. Joseph the Worker. Mouz was my colleague and I’d known her for nearly 4 years. She’d also received her doctorate earlier during the week. She’d a traditional wedding ceremony in Nigeria and then having it blessed in church in Coventry. I was very excited to see her again as this will be last time she’ll be in the UK. I attended the ceremony dressed in my traditional Malaysian costume. But I can’t compete with the Nigerian contingent dressed in very colourful costumes. The ceremony was very poignant and went very smoothly.

The we headed to the Ramada Hotel, Kenilworth for the reception. We weren’t staying for the reception because Babe was already exhausted and it was the fasting month. I wanted to hand her the wedding presents and if possible, a few photographs together. I managed the later and an x-colleague, J, volunteered to give the gift on our behalf. Gracias J and congratulations to the beautiful young couple.

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
   If this be error and upon me proved,
   I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

~Shakespeare ‘Sonnet 116’~

I was chuffed when out of 6 strawberry plants, one had survived from the slugs onslaught. I made a covering out of a plastic bottle over the plant when it began to bear fruit. And watched it everyday as the fruits got bigger and bigger and then turning redder and redder. Finally, I harvested 12 very juicy strawberries. The most expensive strawberries in town but worth it. It was delicious. This was my mid-night feast with my home-grown strawberries. I’m looking forward to planting more next year as this sole plant had started producing suckers which I’ve planted into little pots.

There was an explosion of moths in our casa and garden. I guess the prolonged warm spell meant a bumper year for moths. Moths were often overlooked in favour of butterflies because people think they were only flying at night and were a pest.We were always excited when we saw one and then a quick dash for the cameras. I think they were attracted to the lights as I only close the patio doors when I’m off to bed.

Moths and their caterpillars provided vital food for many other types of wildlife including birds and bats, so an increase in their numbers during the summer were beneficial for many other species too. They played a vital role in telling us about the health of our environment. Since they were so widespread and found in so many different habitats, and were so sensitive to changes, moths were particularly useful as indicator species. We do our bit to help them survive. At the bottom of our garden was like a mini Malaysian jungle. We’d never trimmed the Leylandii, hedges were overgrown with brambles and there was a meadow for wildflowers, grasses and nettles. Numerous birds made their home here along with the hedgehog and where the foxes felt safe. We only do the minimal trimmings and we use a hand mower for the lawn.

I loved this tropical weather with wall to wall bright, hot sunshine. It reminded me of home and especially when I’m out in the garden. It was like a tropical paradise with Roses, Sweet peas, Buddleias, Dahlias, Poppies, Clematis, Marigolds, Sunflowers, Thistles, Ferns, St, John’s Wort, Red Hot Pokers, French and Common Lavenders, Lilies, Lobelias, Geraniums, Periwinkles, Chrysanthemums, Croscosmia, Hostas, Astilbe, Fennel, Sea Holly, Coneflowers, Arum Lilies, Poached Eggs… phew…  all exploding in a riot of colours and enchanting aromas. Everything was abundant and fit to burst. I’m one of those loco people who loved that feeling that you got when you walked outside in the blazing humid heat and felt like you can’t breathe because the air was so thick and heavy. And this is from someone who suffers from hay-fever :-).

As summer rolled in and we were basking in the gloriously long, warm, bright evenings, I always counted my blessings especially in this holy month of Ramadan. When I’m at home, I spent almost every minute outside in the garden, either gardening, reading, having our dinner, or just relaxing. We were always accompanied by our feathered friends who came out to make sure we’re ok. It was lovely listening to the laughters and shrieks from our neighbour’s children playing in their garden and above us, the sight of the swifts screaming across the cloudless skies really lifted our moods.

Jane Austen wrote

“What dreadful hot weather we have. It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance”.

True when you see the fashion disasters abound. Men in socks and sandals, women with acres of skin on show some with painful sunburns. Ouch !!!

But I’m a believer of Thoreau who wrote

“Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit”.

And this Panama straw hat has become permanently stuck to my head this summer.