A magical place

I took a walk through the trees at Frensham Little Pond. A magical place that held so many memories of a girl I knew. Three young girls from school used to cycle here with snacks, drink and bathers to swim in the shallow waters of this beautiful pond surrounded by gorse and pines.

My wife and I had been birdwatchers for some time and had lived in Australia for years. We were keen to see the birds that coloured our childhood that were fast disappearing from the British countryside. We read of the Dartford Warbler that could be seen here at Frensham Little Pond.

So we drove down to this secret of her past of so long ago; to try to find the warblers including  the gorse and broom. Warmed by the sun, keeping still we sat backs to a tree. The air was still and within minutes some little birds emerged from the bushes, flying up in the air and skimming back down again. They would perch proudly on a twig before disappearing into the undergrowth. In a lull of activity we consulted a field guide, checked their attributes and they were certainly Dartford Warblers. I became part of my wife's childhood and we have discovered an endangered British bird.

Returning years later, my wife has now died. So I walked alone through the bracken and reached the pond. Just me, Crested Grebe on the water and a Tern skimming overhead. I imagined the tinkle of laughter of three girls in the water and see their bikes on the shore. I'm part of their world through my wifes eyes and I regret that she is no longer here to share it with me. It is good to thank her here for the love she gave me as the trees look on.

Image found at https://www.ntprints.com/image/353770/frensham-litle-pond-with-swans-and-ducks-on-the-water