Once I’d pushed my belongings through the campsite in a wheelbarrow, I began the head-scratching task of setting up my tent. I didn’t have much camping experience, but after a practice in the garden earlier in the week I was feeling confident. There was a brief tussle with a stiff breeze, but soon I had everything pegged down and in location. I was in business.
I straightened up to admire my handiwork and locked eyes with a cow twenty feet away, separated from me by a wire-thin fence. I wasn’t entirely thrilled with my neighbour for the weekend and eyed her suspiciously. I’d always been a little wary around cows – a few years ago I’d been crossing a field full of them, which had unfortunately been unavoidable, and when I was halfway across the herd started lumbering towards me at full speed. They say you shouldn’t run from cows, but I had vaulted over that fence with the steely determination of a long jumper. Luckily, this one didn’t seem like she had it in for me, and only stopped long enough to urinate before plodding back towards the herd.
Once everything was in order, I sat in my camping chair and admired the view. The setting sun cast a pink blush over Rutland Water. Although this campsite was slightly further away from Birdfair than the main site, this one had far superior views, not to mention it was blissfully quiet. House martins were out in force, plucking insects from the air and plunging in graceful loops. A little further away a kestrel was hunting, body suspended motionless between two rapidly beating wings. In the stillness, a gaggle of chattering geese passed overhead, but they were too far up for me to recognise the species.
I couldn’t wait for Birdfair to begin. This year would be my third, and I loved being a part of such a prestigious and important event in the wildlife calendar. It’s wonderfully indulgent for bird nerds like me – an impressive gathering of thousands of naturalists, conservationists, photographers and more, not to mention a dizzying range of things to see and do.
Once the sun had set, leaving behind an evening chill, I retreated to the warmth of my tent, snuggling up in my sleeping bag to get a good night’s shut eye in preparation for the first day of the fair.
Ha! The description and image of your neighbour managed to tickle me somewhat. I travelled up on the Sunday only this year. I always get a buzz from Birdfair. As you said, it is the ultimate calling for bird nerds.
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Isn’t it an amazing event? I went for one day the first time but it was nowhere near enough for me! I have to stay the whole weekend now – the marquees alone take a good part of the day. And yes, always a little edgy around cows but luckily these were some of the good ones!
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It was a mad rush to fit in all the marquees and attend the multiple talks I wanted to see. Maybe I need to learn to re-accept camping as an acceptable way to spend the night.
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I’ve never been a massive fan of camping but it’s a great way to make the most of Birdfair! I stayed on the main site in 2017 which got really busy, but the Rutland Water campsite a few minutes’ drive away was much quieter with far nicer views!
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Thank you for the recommendation and I agree, I think it’s just been a few years and I need to get used to it again. Last time I camped was for the Hay Literary Festival and it happened to be a damp and cold weekend which I wasn’t prepared for! Alas I won’t actually be in the country for next year’s Birdfair as this year’s persuaded me to book a trip to visit the Brazilian Pantanal next August! (quite excited)
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