Poetry corner

#BWKM0 ND&B garden challenge
DAY 40

I bet quite a few of us can identify with these words, especially those who are locked-down inlanders:

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

John Masefield.

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OUR COMBINED TOTAL (BRITISH ISLES GARDENS) IS 180 SPECIES   Still to be recorded are: Pochard, Arctic Skua, Arctic Tern, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Kingfisher, Whinchat.

Today's additions are: Common Sandpiper (Richard P and Matt P).

Our oversea's gardens (New Zealand and Albania) add an additional 26 SPECIES  

You can find the combined #BWKM0 list by clicking on the right-hand tab above.

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ENTRIES
Our 'garden collective' stands at 60

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Garden firsts
Richard P (Charmouth, Dorset) - Common Sandpiper
Gavin H (Bridport, Dorset) - Coot
Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) - Moorhen

There have been 192 garden firsts across the competition.

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Visual interlude - #19 Sea and sky
See poem above. I long to be able to stare out to sea.
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How are we getting on?
Alphabetical order by first name. The first figure is the garden score as on March 20th. The second is since then (as up to date as I am aware).

Arjun D (Wallington, Surrey) 74/67; Benne A (Tirana, Albania) xx/40;
Benno W (Goodnestone, Kent) xx/42; Bernard B (Ruckinge, Kent) 107/63; 
Bob S (Worcester Park, Surrey) 86/36; Callum M (Hemel Hempstead, Herts) 64/61;
Cheech A (Langley Vale, Surrey) xx/38; Chris P (Claygate, Surrey) 43/41; 
Daniel W (NW London) xx/xx; Dave B (Chatham Islands, Pacific Ocean) 30/29;
Dave P (Shoreham, West Sussex) 55/44; David S (West Raynham, Norfolk) 87/64;
Debbie S (Portland, Dorset) 155/50; Dylan W (Thanet, Kent) 111/57; 
Ed S (Farncombe, Surrey) 79/83;  Gavin H (Bridport, Dorset) xx/52;  
Geoff B (Chessington, Surrey) 69/28; Gill H (Tenterden, Kent) 60/31; 
Gordon H (Redhill, Surrey) 80/46; Ian K (Leigh, Surrey) 62/37; 
Ian S (Sidcup, Kent) 113/52; Ian W (Merton Park, London) 86/50; 
Isaiah R (New Malden, London) 76/52; John P (Banstead, Surrey) xx/xx;
Jono L (Wanstead, London) 83/68; Josephine S (Leatherhead, Surrey) 40/40; 
Justin T (Charmouth, Dorset) 59/32; Mark D (Dorking, Surrey) 59/56;
Mark H (Littlestone, Kent) 135/71: Mark N (Stutton, Suffolk)  77/61;
Martin C (Lydd, Kent) 140/92; Mathew B (Wrotham, Kent) 33/51; 
Matt P (Pulborough, West Sussex) 126/110; Michael D (Craster, Northumberland) 106/62; 
Mike P (Malling, Kent) 70/64; Mike R (Battle, East Sussex) 97/53; 
Oscar D (Chiswick, London) 67/64; Paul D (London) 84/44;
Pete B (Shadoxhurst, Kent) 101/52; Phil B (Ramsgate, Kent) 54/30;
Rebecca G (Balham, London) xx/15; Reuben B (Tufnell Park, London) 45/45; 
Richard F (Pinner, London) 63/35; Richard P (Charmouth, Dorset) 101/77;  
Robin S (Cranleigh, Surrey) 101/55; Sam B (Enniskeane, Cork) 67/69; 
Seamus E (Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs) 67/42; Sean M (Pinner, London) 50/40;
Seth G (Uig, Skye) 64/56; Stephen R (Harrogate, Yorks) 66/47;
Steve C (Guildford, Surrey) 66/38; Steve G (Banstead, Surrey) 92/70; 
Steve T (Ewell, Surrey) 59/39; Steve W (Hawes, N Yorks) 91/64; 
Stewart S (Howick, Northumberland) 131/75; Stuart C (Walkern, Herts) xx/63;
Sye W (Aston Clinton, Bucks) xx/42; Tony B (Woodford, London) 69/53;
Wes A (Capel, Surrey) 96/87

THE CHALLENGE WILL END AT 18.00hrs ON THURSDAY MAY 7th

Comments

Wild Stutton said…
Common Tern over yesterday, takes me to 62 Steve.
28 April 2020 at 17:51
Alastair said…
Steve, I think 61 in Lockdown from the garden of about 100 or so, I must work out the full "from and in the garden" list. A pair of Pochard from the garden bench scoped on nearby Loch of Bosquoy, this evening. A Short-eared Owl hunting briefly in the garden as well.
28 April 2020 at 22:44
Dave Boyle said…
I can remember you quoting the first line of this 30 years ago when you went seawatching but I think its the first time I've seen the whole poem
29 April 2020 at 03:22
Stewart said…
Hi Steve, Please add Sandwich Tern and Reed Bunting to my list please, taking me to 77.

I always think of the first line when away from home. I dont think I have been away from the sea even on holiday since about 2016!

Cheers.
29 April 2020 at 09:26
David Bryant said…
I must go down to the beach again,
to the lonely sea and the sky:
I left my vest and pants there -
I wonder if they're dry?

Spike Milligan
29 April 2020 at 10:15
Gibster said…
Cuckoo puts me on 57 today, Steve.
29 April 2020 at 15:46
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