Lending a helping hand to feed heron

IT has been another week of lovely weather. Bluebells carpet the woodland floor, primroses burst into colour on the ditches, and the butterflies are flying again.

By the time you read this, I hope to be in Extremadura in the Monfrague National Park, watching eagles and vultures touring the skies, my expenses paid by my family who bought me a ticket to this iconic wildlife area of Spain.

I worked through most of Christmas and Easter — no complaints, I brought it on myself, with books on the go and deadlines to meet. Don’t look the proverbial gift animal in the mouth is my policy, and book deals do not arrive every day. But a week watching the eagles fly and listening to the bees buzz will be very welcome.