Friday 12th August (The Glorious Twelfth and a Horny Horse)


Mr. Kite looked out of his bedroom window into a grey sky and a hint of drizzle. On the first day of the grouse shooting season Mr. Kite was going to visit the moors.

Firstly Mr. Kite stopped at Polemere to watch idle Mallards and Greylag Geese sitting on the mud residue left after the water receded. Now being a bird-watcher Mr. Kite can only watch sitting duck for so long. However Mr. Kite was entertained at Polemere by a 'horny horse' that made strange ear piercing noises as it pursued a female horse with an extra leg.

As Mr. Kite left Polemere the drizzle started but the intrepid Mr. Kite headed to Plox Green to start the ascent to the moors. After a four mile climb Mr. Kite reached the Stiperstones car park where he parked The Beast and strolled towards The Devil's Chair. The good news was that Mr. Kite did not spot a Grouse Shooters but the bad news was that he did not spot a Red Grouse either.

Then Mr. Kite cycled towards The Bridges where he smelt the beer but did not stop for refreshments. With the sound of Farmer Phil's festival Mr. Kite headed over the moors towards Church Stretton. On this Friday morning only a few walkers and a Kestrel were spotted on the high ground. The walkers did not beat well enough to bring the Red Grouse out of their cover. An exciting descent down The Burway lead Mr. Kite into Church Stretton.

With the hard work completed Mr. Kite cycled towards Venus Pool. The sun was shining, the wind behind and the roads empty so Mr. Kite ambled along using all the road spotting Ravens, Rooks, Buzzards, Chaffinch etc. Mr. Kite reached Venus Pool where he watched Greenshank feeding in the shallow water. This pair waded along with their beaks in the water. Green Sandpipers walked along the waters edge but occasionally flew to other parts of the pool.

After more than forty miles and five hours Mr. Kite returned home for a tipple of Wychwood Goliath. Cheers.