Not so wet on the wetlands

It seems like it's been a wet summer but obviously not as wet as I'd thought. The wetlands are actually quite dry at the moment. Now that the ground nesting waterfowl have had their broods and moved on Joe Martin has let his cattle graze the area. So very quiet today, just the cattle and some Greylag geese.
For those who've read this far and have time to read further. Here's a short tale from the Fens. 
   Custom used to be in Fenland that whoever carried a split feather from a Greylag goose would be given help and protection in times of trouble.During the Civil War King Charles used his knowledge of this when on the run in the Littleport Fens. He and his Cavaliers escaped by showing a split goose feather when confronted by Rounhead soldiers in the area. When Cromwell, who came from Huntingdon, heard of this he said "Better that the King escape than the old custom be broken". On the night before his execution Charles sent a messenger to Cromwell. The messenger said "Sir, His Majesty, scorning to ask for mercy, demands to be given the rights and privileges always granted to everyone who presents this" and laid a split goose feather on the table. As we all know Charles 1st was executed so the ploy didn't work but it is said that Cromwell brooded over the breaking of this custom for the rest of his life.