The May Bank Holiday is on the horizon. That can only mean one thing – awful British weather!
When I booked my cycling-camping adventure several weeks ago the weather forecast wasn’t predicting frost and flooding. You know how it is - a five minute burst of sun in March and you've booked yourself the perfect riverside campsite for May. On a lazy bank holiday Monday, you dream of pulling out a bucket BBQ for a few sizzling sausages in the sunshine. But instead, the looming dark clouds sugges that a couple of big yellow buckets, a bit of rope, a few crates and a paddle would serve me better this weekend. Given the forecast, it looks like I shall need to strap together a makeshift raft…
Alternatively, if I was Owl or Pussy Cat sized then the same bucket could make a handy boat without the need for further construction. Or pea-green pain.
Either craft would help me get a little close to the wonderful waterlife we've got in this part of the world. Watching grebes is one of my all-time favourite riverside activities. But if you find yourself stuck at home this weekend looking for things to do then why not consider volunteering for the RSPB’s Love Nature Week. We are looking for a couple of hundred more people to take part in our forthcoming Love Nature Week collections. Doubtless by the time Love Nature Week kicks off on Saturday 26 May the sun will have come out and we can turn our life rafts and owl boats back into fundraising buckets.
Love Nature Week is the RSPB’s biggest annual fundraising event. This year is takes place from 26 May to 3 June. Find out more here: www.rspb.org.uk/bucketcollections
And whatever you do this wet weekend – I hope you enjoy yourself.
In honour of the RSPB’s Big Yellow Fundraising Buckets, I’m writing a list of 101 Things to Do with a Bucket and I want your suggestions. Share them by posting a comment or Twittter #101buckets . Tweet me directly @RSPBMidlands