With these pair for parents it was pretty inevitable really. Eventually I would come out of the closet as a bit of a birdwatcher. It started last month when I went away with some friends from uni, people I propped the student union bar up with, did Amsterdam and rocked Glastonbury with. But, this year we hired a country cottage, chilled out, ate well, dodged hangovers and went walking, a sign of the times, but one I quite like.
The first thing we saw as we left the cottage was a buzzard being mobbed my some crows. One of my freinds complained she had forgotten her bins, on hearing this I felt a huge sense of relief. ‘At last,’ I thought, ‘I’m not the only 34 year old with a pair of binoculars’. I’m not obsessive or even that knowledgeable, but having had parents who know a lot about birds and nature I have picked up lots by osmosis.
I have fond memories of sitting in hides with my Dad as a kid, and of a trip I made to Norfolk with my parents when L was a baby. I bought the binoculars there, because we were seeing barn owls daily and I felt mean grabbing Mum and Dads. I could watch birds of prey for hours, barn owls are amazing. I remember being mesmerised watching eagles circling while on honeymoon in Canada.
So the bins came out good and proper on Friday, I decided that was the best way to mark the anniversary of mum’s death. Me and Mr G opted out of playgroup and suburbia for countryside, birdwatching and mud. It was a sad day, but doing that made me happier than I could ever have imagined. A helpful old man in the hide pointed out nesting herons and skylarks to me while G munched on a banana.
When I came back I read Minty’s wonderful post The Great God Debate over at Waterbirth please, and it made me realise that in place of religion my parents gave me an awesome sense of belonging through being amongst nature. Makes sense that I’m happiest when in it.
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This made me laugh! It’s amazing how we find ourselves doing things we scoffed at 20 years ago! Like enjoying a history documentary or even birdwatching! Is it because we’re older and appreciate stuff more, or is it ‘cos our parents used to do it and it gives us a connection with them….?
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head there Helen!
I think it is a great thing to enjoy all things free (!) and I love watching and seeing the birds though not with ‘bins’ yet.
My Grandparents particularly loved nature so I always have enjoyed it. The geese have just flown over the house as I type (mind they are a bit noisy). My treat is to see the beautiful Kingfisher. It reminds of my Mum and canal walks when I was younger.
So another meant to be meeting you as I can see a bird hide from my window! So when you visit you will have to bring those ‘bin’s’ of your’s!!! xxxxxx
Sounds so lovely Ali
Remember fist seeing a kingfisher with my Dad, magical birds!
It’s so lovely that you have something that celebrates the connection you have with your mum and that you can enjoy doing with your own children. Passing on that sense of belonging is such a fabulous legacy. x
Yes, I think part of it is feeling I want to pass that knowledge and understanding on, and make them feel they have something tangible to believe in?
I am so pleased you spent a sad day doing something that was so special to all of you! Nowt wrong with a bit of bird-watching either! With our resident bird of prey, I have a pair of binoculars by the bed to catch glimpses of him when he returns from hunting. Shhh don’t tell anyone! Emma
xx
Secret is safe with me Emma. Now i’m wondering what kind of bird of prey he is though!
How wonderful and what a beautiful legacy to have inherited. Being in nature makes me happier than ever too. Might buy myself some binoculars! Blingy ones of course!
Blingy bins. Now why didn’t I think of that?
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