Bat Safari Punting

Last Friday was the world premier Bat Safari by punt which was GREAT fun. We set off in daylight travelling in a 4 punt convoy slowly navigating from the punt yard south towards Granchester.

At Skaters Fen the Bat Detection Units picked up their first signs, we spotted them swooping against the semi lit sky. For at least half an hour through dusk we spotted many more bats both high up against the sky and low down over the water.

Having turned back at the start of Granchester Meadows and with dark having enfolded us we broke out high power torches, we caught glimpses of several bats skimming low over the water on our return journey.

Though we had been supplied with Bat Identification Charts, we of course neither got close enough nor did the bats fly slowly enough to distinguish one species from another. However, it was a 75 minute tour I will remember with great delight for quite some time.

This shot does our chauffer far more justice than my sketch.

Warmer Days

Looking forward to punting in the summer, for now snow lays on the ground round about - and maybe the river is freezing.

Loud SCREAMING, but no SPLASH

The final punting session of the season, Fiona decided to take the pole. However with a bit of a breeze we were blown off course into a lowhanging tree. My gentle relaxation was disturbed by screams and outrageous laughter behind my head.

We did amazingly recover from this situation, bringing the punt back beneath Fiona, so no sodden passengers on the trip home.

Mill Pond, Cambridge

I am sat in the Granta Pub on the Mill Pond sheltering from the rain - enjoying a pint. I have just drawn the view from my stool.

Sweeny Todd of course has not been there for 20 years, or maybe longer, that is where I went for my Stag Night feast, hmm - 28 years ago.

I have missed out the large fleet of punts which are moored and drifting into the center of the pond, seemingly more a storage yard!

Today it is raining, but there seems to be an ever increasing need to include punting come rain or sunshine whilst visiting Cambridge.

Several punts have set off since I sat down, a most interesting increase in punting backwards and/or from inside the craft. In Cambridge of course, one punts from the platform on the back!