WOOLSTON EYES, WARRINGTON

But not a White-crowned Sparrow in sight.

There we were, just finishing the shopping, when a message came about a rare bird, so back home, unpack shopping, pack lunch and off we went. But it seemed the little bird had not hung around, or it was deep inside the bush we all stood and looked at, extra photo.

But walking towards the bushes I thought I had seen the couple in front of us before. Yes, it was when we were on a birding boat on the Scilly Isles. R had proposed to L on the boat and they had returned with a boat shaped cake for the skipper, which was shared amongst all of us birders. Happy memories. And having met them again we now know we can look out for them on tv wildlfe programmes. We hadn't a clue who they were before.

Also in the bush-watching line up was a lovely chap from the armed forces. He had a wonderful and ridiculous sense of humour. I am sure the troops under him feel very lucky.

After our bird-less trip we returned home along the motorway and reached flashing blue lights. It was a police car travelling in the slow lane, a coach in the middle lane, a second police car behind the coach, and a third in front of the coach with the message "follow me" flashing in his rear window. Further along was a police car on the hard shoulder looking as though he was about to join the corral. Wonder what that was all about.