I Tried On Your Wedding Dress

A day in the life of a bassist 17 april 2007

Languid though I often am when forced to awaken at such ungodly hours of the day, at 6 o' clock today I did indeed arise and headed off on a three hour train journey to Anglesea through the North wales countryside which was quite beautiful, with the early morning sun playing warmly on my face whilst I watched Rivers, Castles and Mountains flash past my window. Initially I had had the aim to go to an RSPB nature reserve to spend the afternoon watching Auks nesting on the sheer cliff face of South Stack which is just outside Holyhead. Having never travelled there before I was minorly disconcerted about finding my way to a little known reserve without guide or map but as it turns out, Holyhead is in the perpetual shadow of the gargantuan North Stack, which is adjoined to my intended destination by a precipitous coastal path which was surprisingly easily navigated.

Greeting my presence as I descended to the edge of the cliff face were a great number of Chough, the rarest member of the crow family, who're distinguishable by their red beak and incredible grace in the air. Alas though, the auspicious appearance of the choughs was not the sign of good fortune I'd hoped for- on arriving at the Auk breeding ground- there was no sign of Puffin, Razorbill or guillemot. I pensively waited a long while before heading off back home espying Wheatear and Stonechat along the way. Though I felt I ought to be, I wasn't feeling melancholic in the least. The southerly view from the top of North Stack over Anglesea culminating in the malevolent looming presence of Snowdon shrouded in cloud on the horizon was worth the trip alone. I'm certain I shall see those elusive Auks one day!