Nudged by a boot

I have a pair of new hiking boots to break in…which was just the nudge I needed to pick up my John Muir Award after yet another lazy break. More nudges always come in January - the RSPB Birdwatch is approaching and this year (fingers crossed) we’re able to run something resembling our bird ID sessions for the public on National Cycle Network routes, after last year’s were stopped due to Covid. My new boots took me on a 12km walk to Balerno along the canal and the Water of Leith walkway (both route 75) and I decided to count the number of bird species I saw over the 2.5 hours. Twenty four. I’d gone out thinking I might see winter visitors like fieldfares or redwings – nope – or spot a dipper – yes!...and twenty three more, and lots of mud to christen my boots. A good start to a year. Year 3 of this Award, eek. I *will* finish it this year…!