Captain’s Blog – no 2 (April 14th)
Firstly, and most importantly, I hope all members and their families are keeping safe. We are living in the shadow of the pandemic with the grim reality of ever rising infections and deaths projected nightly into our homes making the need to continue with the lockdown clear. Frightening times!
So how has the lockdown been for you? For me, it’s so far so good but there’s still a long way to go!
My first thoughts are to count my blessings. I am so lucky to live with Isabelle here in Barrow, have a reasonable size garden and be able to enjoy the local countryside and wildlife (in our once daily exercise period). The fine weather has certainly helped.
In the past, gardening has seemed a bit of a chore, difficult to fit in between everything else, but in the last three weeks it has become a positive experience. With no time pressure, it has become a welcome distraction and provided a sense of purpose. Certainly, our garden has never been so tidy at this time of year.
We have always been keen walkers but in recent years have rather neglected some of the walks on our doorstep. We are rapidly rediscovering many of the local footpaths and thoroughly enjoying getting a different perspective of very familiar places.
Complimenting our appreciation of our garden and the local countryside, has been our interest in wildlife, particularly birds. We are by no means expert birders, more enthusiastic amateurs keen to try to identify birds we see in the garden and the surrounding countryside (and indeed on the golf course). So, armed with binoculars, a pocket bird book and a very limited knowledge of birdsong we have been keeping a list (the first sign of an obsession?) of bird species we have positively identified in and around Barrow during the lockdown. Currently, this stands at just over 50, it is surprizing how quickly the numbers rise. Many of these are very common species we take for granted but there are some that have particularly pleased us. Birds come in all sizes, of the larger birds we spotted a Peregrine (we think) in the trees opposite our house and before that the first sighting in our garden of the smallest bird in the UK, a Goldcrest.
From a birding perspective this is a really interesting (exciting?) time of year as many birds return to the UK to breed in our summer having undertaken amazing migration journeys. The more I learn about bird migration the more remarkable it is! In the last few days as well as the first swallows and house martins we have identified willow warblers, black caps, white throats and of course numerous chiff chaffs.
Enough of trivia, what about golf? We are being kept amused by the constant flow of ‘funnies’ on the various ‘WhatsApp’ groups. The Golf Ladies group is very good and the PHGC (competition committee) group is always interesting! Thanks.
Last week Isabelle and I walked from home, almost exclusively on footpaths, to Oscroft and across the golf course. It was a lovely day, the green staff were all hard at work and the course looked great. So, we really have something to look forward when the lockdown finally ends.
I have just watched an Annika Sorenstam masterclass on the short game, I am now resolved to spend time practicing what she recommended in the garden. I’m sure that’s the missing ingredient that I have been searching for!
Enough of my ramblings. I hope everyone is keeping busy and sane. Until the next time, stay safe.
Dave