Reflections

A lovely calm day. Yet what drama on the balcony. We had a visit from a noisy starling and its family. With lots of squawking its fledglings were learning to feed on the buggy nibbles in the ground feeder. Lots of squawking...! I couldn't get near for a photo - starlings are far flightier than blackbirds. Then the robins came. One adult has a broken beak and the young one still with its fluffy plumage has a club claw - it does not seem to impede its balance or ability to feed. Might reduce its mating chances though. And the blackbird returned with its three to repeat yesterday lesson.

A day of reflection and organisation preparing my rucksack for Thursday's departure. I want it to weigh less than 8kg before adding water and some food. Packing and repacking - out with the 100ml toothpaste and in with a small Muji pot... 4 socks down to two and a bit more laundry liquid... Carrying the pack 300km every gram counts - and it is amazing how little one really needs. Food and drink are available en route of course. Last year I stopped at a fountain in Rioja that had two taps - water in one and (you guessed it) wine in the other...