I left Alderney at eight in the morning, and saw a few dozen gannets from the plane. Got to London just before eleven on a sweaty old day. It was full of people, very few of whom had seen a gannet that morning.
I had meetings with the excellent Intelligent Life magazine, and then with Charlotte Atyeo, my brilliant sports publisher at Bloomsbury. Between them a quick lunch with my old friend Chris Breen, who runs Wildlife Worldwide, and we discussed some of the mad adventures we’ve shared.
Then home. Or not. Buckled rail. Damn. Delay. More delay. An announcement they’d make another announcement when they had something to announce. The Evening Standard said the trains were suffering from the wrong kind of heat. So I worked a flanker and transferred to the East Suffolk Line. Got home just in time to say goodnight to Eddie.
Five weeks ago the Wildlife Trusts told us do something wild every day in June. Eddie and I have done that, mostly together, sometimes separate. And it’s been great. Now the course was complete.
So I talked about Alderney, and how they’re tagging gannets to get information for science and for conservation, and explained how I had helped to hold the gannets while the transmitters were attached. And Eddie took all this on board and relished the thought.
I told him that I was invited to name gannet 118, and how as soon as the bird had been released, he set off on a spear-fishing trip, all the time sending back messages about his journey. He travelled 20 miles due north to fish off the Isle of Wight before turning round and coming back – I hope with a full crop of bouillabaisse to feed the young one.
“So what do you think I called gannet 118?”
“I don’t know.”
“He’s called Eddie.”
“Eddie!” said Eddie. Joyously.
We’ve had a great June, me and Eddie. Well, both Eddies. Eddie boy and Eddie gannet. For all of us, it’s been better than great.
It’s been wild.
Gary steer says
1 July 2015 at 6:11 pmThank you Sir, just what’s needed on a sweltering day like this, a happy ending and I’ll raise a glass to yourself and both Eddies later.
Stephen says
1 July 2015 at 6:38 pmWhat else but Eddie!
Good in yer!
Christine Wickham says
1 July 2015 at 9:17 pm“An announcement they’d make another announcement when they had something to announce.” Glorious! I’ll drink to that too ….
Sylvia Welling says
1 July 2015 at 9:26 pmI’ll drink to your wild June Simon, yours and Eddie’s, it’s been wonderful to read about your 30 days of wildness. Thank you.
David Osborn says
1 July 2015 at 10:25 pmMy thanks to you and a big thank you to Eddie for a wonderful June!
Olly says
1 July 2015 at 11:16 pmGreat stuff. Loved reading the daily updates and it’s inspired me contemplate my own ‘wild’ June.
Never as wild as I’d truly like, but I’ve learnt to appreciate the ordinary, the everyday stuff. Went for a pint this evening and there were about 20 Swifts belting across the sky above the pub, some daring to drop down to roof level and below.
What struck me is that no one else seemed interested – I was the weirdo with my head constantly tilted backward, looking at the sky. On one hand, this is sad; would these people notice or care if the Swifts never returned? On the other hand, it felt like I was enjoying my own private show, one which no one could possibly enjoy on the same level as me.
Brian Goldfarb says
3 July 2015 at 1:39 amAs you say, Olly, it doesn’t matter. We were with friends (who have a place in Aldeburgh), outside their place, all of us watching these swifts doing kamikaze runs not just inches above us, but it seemed almost around us, just as Simon described a few days ago. And we loved it.
All of us pop along to Minsmere as and when we can when we’re in the area, because it refreshes us.
So perhaps we should feel a little bit sorry for those who think that we’re ” the weirdo[s] with [our] head[s] constantly tilted backward, looking at the sky.”
Their loss!
wes pickering says
2 July 2015 at 7:27 amHi there Eddie and Simon. Thanks so much for sharing your Wild June with me, i have greatly enjoyed all of it.
i started Wild June in Rutland, and have finished it back in Adelaide Australia and your insights and sharing have been a constant highlight of my travel.
Thanks again.
Rob Howell says
2 July 2015 at 5:40 pmSimon and Eddie thank you so much for sharing your 30 days with me it has kept me going during a busy time working in London . Hoping you can share some more of your experiences very soon !
Mo says
5 July 2015 at 12:25 amI’ve never been a “blogee” before (if that’s the correct term for a reader of blogs). In fact, I don’t do social media type stuff at all. But a month ago, my husband told me that I simply had to read your blogs and signed me up so that these gems have been dropping into my inbox on an almost daily basis. What an absolute joy! So I just wanted to say thank you for your beautiful and enlightening writing. I’m sure The Times must have lost many of its former readers a year ago, my husband amongst them, so please keep doing what you do so well and “yah sucks boo” to The Times!
Sue Tracey says
6 July 2015 at 1:01 amThanks Eddie and Simon from me too. I’ve really enjoyed your words as ever Simon and especially loved your photos Eddie. Hip, hip for Wild June!
Sue Tracey says
6 July 2015 at 1:05 amI received a fantastic WILD birthday present today from my three children, a visit with guide to watch the stag rut in Sussex, can’t wait!
Jane Storey says
6 July 2015 at 8:46 pmEddie’s wild June has been a joy to read. Please tell him he’s a star. Many thanks
Glenda White says
12 July 2015 at 2:51 pmI have loved reading of your wild summer. It has made me more aware of my own areas of wildness. Thank you.xx