My Review
Thanks to Anne Cater for organising this tour. My copy did not from the publisher did not arrive, so I bought myself one. I’m not a fan or the author. their TV shows, or anything like that, I’m interested in both wildlife and Cornwall, since my mum’s maternal family and my step-Dad are Devon and Cornwall (unlike Stitfall who is a blow-in from Essex).
I’ve been a bit of a spotter since I was a kid, but I was never any good at it. I used to enjoy taking my little Osbourne books of birds and coastal life out with me on hikes with my dad and the local walking club, but haven’t really done much since I was 14. I do like to sit in the garden, or allotment, and bird watch. We have a new ecology group at work too, so I’m picking up bits of insect information. Again, I’m not very good at it. I need more practice.
Sorry if I sound grumpy today, I’m in pain. Because of this book. I read an awful lot of my copy on Tuesday, and enthused by the writing, decided to take a walk along the coast near here. The Humber is a SSSI designated area. I walked from the main drag of the Prom to the sand dunes by the swimming pool and then along the paths through the sea grass meadows. They’ve become much more extensive in the last twenty years. the area that used to be beach, on the other side of the swimming pool has changed immensely, with a much more varied habitat of dunes and salt marsh. I kept to the paths, but they got a bit wobbly once I got to the marsh adjacent to Meridian Point and I fell twice trying to cross from the path to the sea wall. got covered in mud. Which, to be honest, is nothing new. I have a cut on my right knee and my left hip is registering its disapproval quite vociferously. I did make it to a bus though and home, so it’s all good.
I saw a heron, and lots of crows and magpies. I think. I didn’t get bitten by anything, which is practically a miracle in itself, and I had a paddle in the water. I took photos of various plants and birds and at some point I’ll attempt to identify them.
Back to the book review.
I enjoyed the writing style, straightforward and descriptive, shading into poetic at times. I loved the photography. It really enthused me about going out and appreciating the local nature (the ‘wild life’ is a different matter altogether – Newquay misbehaviour ain’t got nothing on Cleethorpes in the early hours of a summer Saturday). This book is a celebratory and entertaining trip through the natural calendar of Cornwall, written by someone with a genuine love of wildlife and an ethical approach to nature photography. I recommend it to people who want to see what’s living in their area, if they live in Cornwall or are visiting at any time of year.
Also, my step-Dad tells a fantastic story about Seal Island near St. Ives, involving a boatload of American tourists and an inflatable seal.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 