Took father to Hunstanton to have a hair cut. It was the first time he had left the house since returning from hospital after having hip op. He is walking really well enow with two sticks. Arrived back to Holme with fish n chips. I stewed some apples and blueberries for dessert topped with alpro soya yoghurt.

After lunch we (well mother and I did - father said it was too distressing hearing Richard"s voice) listened to an MP3 file on my iphone which was absolutely fascinating - called 'Barry"s Guide to Fair isle' which was a recording made and narrated by the late Richard Richardson for his friend Barry Sheen (yep THE Barry Sheen). It was very kindly sent to me by someone via a website. The recording is of RAR's journey to Fair isle via train, ferry and plane and includes recordings of birds on the island, fiddle playing, islanders singing in the "Kirk" etc etc. Richard referred to his friend John Harrison who had said of the Lerwick Fiddlers "they"ll never get anywhere in the charts' - this quote is also written in the Fair isle report for 1967 in a "in Memoriam for John Harrison who died in 1967.

As a youngster, I have very fond memories of Richard, especially listening to tales of Fair isle from both Richard and father's other closest friend Peter Jackson (also sadly deceased). I remember Peter Jackson chuckling over the Good Shepherd sailings. I remember thinking that one day I would go to that magical island - I did so in 2005 and 2006 and fell love completely. Ticking off the days now for my third trip!

Apart from photographing an exceptionally cute, fluffy baby coot (see pic above) from Fen Hide at Titchwell, I didn't really do much birding. Bought a new beanie hat and lens spray from the shop. Sat at the top of the hill at Brancaster (bee-eater spot) and watched red legged partridges and pied wags. Drove to Abbey Farm and didn't see anything of note from the hide really.

Britain"s Got Talent - wasn"t the 80 year lady singing awesome!!!!
http://talent.itv.com/2010/