Dee-lightful scale

摘要

First of all this is not Royal Deeside in bonnie Scotland. This is the salt marshes, on the banks of the Dee, not that far from Chester, almost on the traditional border between England and Wales. Flint castle is just across the river and about half a mile away the enormous steam plume of a massive paper factory rises night and day. However, on a calm and unseasonably perfect day in mid October 2012, the Weather Gods called a truce. There was a halt in the dismal run of dreadful flying weather and we took advantage of it. Down amongst the sedge and willow, within a heron's cry of the waterline, all was sublime. Not a breath of wind, soft autumnal sunshine, long shadows, a well-husbanded strip, and very good company.