Green...

Another early start on our half-day holiday, leaving Lancaster at 8 o'clock, and heading to Heysham which was almost deserted. We walked along the cliffs and drank in the shimmering blue of Morecombe Bay, with the Lake District just about visible through the haze (see extra), my first view of the sea since the November lockdown.

We'd hoped for a cup of coffee but, not surprisingly, all the cafe's were closed, so we drove back through Lancaster towards Birk Bank on the edge of the Forest of Bowland. After finishing our cold curry (the portions were huge) we walked through heathland where the plants were just beginning to emerge from the rigours of winter, with the bright yellow of gorse leading the way. We were excited to see our first Green Hairstreak of the year, but stopped counting when we reached twenty - I've never seen so many, sunning themselves on the gorse and heather, the males occasionally engaging in territorial battles. We also spotted a couple of Red Grouse, and heard several more, though they were all rather distant.

We arrived back at the car park around midday and then set off for Peterborough - a smooth run meant we were home by about half past three after a tiring but successful trip.