I popped down to the beach for a swim a little earlier, but instead I got:
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| [Eddie Izzard via GIPHY] |
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Not really. But I did walk up a stretch of cliff that was covered in bee orchids (Ophrys apifera). I'd never noticed them before, but then I rarely climb up the cliff*, instead preferring to walk up the promenade slope or the steps behind the beach huts.
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| Aren't they stunning? The flowers really do look like cute little bumble bees. |
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| Eeek! How did you get in here, you common vetch!? |
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| Bee[orchid]s. Faasands ov 'em! Well, a few, at any rate. |
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| Lovely. The last time we saw orchids was nearly a year ago in the waste ground across the road from the previous Castle DeVice. |
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And for those Eddie Izzard fans amongst you, here's the full Covered in Bees sketch:
* Not recommended. At all! Basically, there's a small area with a shallow slope that is safe to traverse when dry, but you can forget about it during or after a rainshower, unless you enjoy getting covered in mud as you slide down the cliff only to get dashed to pieces on the rocks below.
Orchids of any variety are utterly fascinating, but the hardy ones have a distinct character of their very own - and those are gorgeous! Jx
ReplyDeleteAren't they! I found another couple of patches of them today (in much more accessible places) - it will be interesting to see if they reappear next year, as I've read that they can disappear for up to eight years before flowering again.
DeleteOnce I stayed in a hotel that was hosting a bee keepers convention. They had all sorts of bee keeping related paraphernalia as well as various products made from bee stuff. Luckily, I was not covered in bees.
ReplyDeleteAh, so you weren't used as a hapless model for various bee-removing contraptions, then?
DeleteWe kept honey bees for many years. But now...we just have a hive of native (stingless) bees who decided to move into an empty compost bin!
ReplyDeleteLove the bee orchids!
Australia has stingless bees?!? What a let down to hear that. I thought Oz had the most fearsome, poisonous, man-eating, sting-happy flora & fauna to grace the Earth?
DeleteI'm sorry your walk was so unpleasant. I still think another move would be a good idea - my walk on the canal bank today gave me everything I could wish for!
ReplyDeleteYou would have hated it! The only concrete/bricks/tarmac/etc was crumbling away under the grip of Mother Nature. Not a rusted shopping trolley, wheeless bicycle, used condom, or fly tip in sight!
DeleteI love bees. And Eddie Izzard. Double delight on your blog, today.
ReplyDeleteBut do you like being covered in bees? Or covered in Eddie Izzard? Or both?!
DeleteHi Honey, I'm home!
ReplyDeleteSx
Hooray! A National Holiday must be declared! Welcome back!
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