Thursday's Tea time chat - 13/2/25

Well not the most inspiring title.  Although I am writing this with a cup of tea nearby.  Hopefully I won't let it get cold which is what I often do.

Having done some Tuesday's Twaddle posts I wanted a similar word for  posts on Thursdays but there aren't that many good words.  Tripe or trash were offered as was tosh and even tommyrot.  I decided to change tack and went for tea time chat instead.

Most of my posts could be tea time chats because it always seems to be time for tea - probably because I let the last one get cold and need a fresh cup.  (Well actually a mug.)

Yesterday I had an eventful walk.  The weather still wasn't great - quite chilly and overcast and, despite no rain being forecast, there was definitely moisture in the air.  I opted to walk around the lake despite the mud and I'm glad I did as I came across this:

It's not clear from the photo but there were actually 3 swans there, a male and a female, attacking another female.

It's a complicated arrangement - the male known as Mr Highams Park is new to the lake (no one seems to know what happened to our original male) and he seemed to have paired up with the resident female (Beth).  But, while Beth was at the Swan Sanctuary for a few days because of an injury to her mouth from fishing line, Mr Highams Park seems to have acquired a new partner or rather his original partner (Mrs Holey Foot - she has a small hole in one of her feet).

Beth was returned to the lake this week but Mr Highams Park and Mrs Holey Foot decided she was not to be allowed back and had chased her out of the lake and were attacking her in the undergrowth.  Swans can be very territorial.  

There was an elderly couple there and between us we managed to steer the couple back to the lake and then I kept an eye on Beth while I waited for the lovely lady from the Swan rescue team to arrive.  Thankfully I've dealt with her in the past so I had her number in my phone.  Gill arrived quite quickly and was able to catch Beth.  She will take advice from the swan sanctuary as to what to do next. But at least for now poor Beth is safe.  

I ended up walking home via the road and encountered this little one.

Not sure if male or female but pretty and quite young I think.  It boldly walked across the path in front of me.  I've zoomed in there but it was fairly close.