Wax disaster

The Safari set off after a tasty bacon butty for the Firecrest(s?). But we only got a couple of miles before coming to a stuttering smokey halt. After a three hour wait for the AA the verdict was that perhaps the fuel we bought at a well known supermarket yesterday might not have had winter anti-waxing agent in it and the temperature went down to a numbing -5C- flippin cold for these parts - and if it managed to creep above freezing this afternoon we'd be very surprised.

No chance of getting up to the Purple Sandpipers either.

So what did we get up to while we were waiting? Fortunately, if that's the right word, we came to a stop opposite the park and were able to have a look round the mostly frozen lake. Plenty pf gulls were sat out on the ice. Two Black Headed Gulls had rings, ordinary rather than readable Darviks, and two already had almost fully black (brown actually) hoods.

Also there was a park tick - a Redshank, very unusual and only present because of the ice. Ducks were well represented by 67 Shoveler, 2 female Goldeneyes, 34 Tufted Ducks and 5 male with one female Pochards. The family of two adult and two still stripey headed young Great Crested Grebes, along with 122 Coots, many of which were sporting natty multi-coloured jewelery courtesy of CB.

Flitting about in teh trees was a small flock of Long Tailed Tits - they are really going to suffer if this very cold weather continues much longer.

That, we're afraid is yer lot, really hope the Land Rover starts tomorrow morning...and then continues to run...we have topped up with more diesel from a reputable source.

Where to next? Could be to both Patches on foot.

In the meantime let us know what caused any breakdowns in your outback this weekend.