Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve

The Neilston Men's Group recently visited Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, one of the few wetlands left in the West of Scotland, and had an enjoyable time. The group met at the reserve's visitor centre, where they were greeted by friendly rangers who gave us a brief overview of the reserve, the trails and what we were likely to see as we wandered around.

Aird Meadow Loch

We then enjoyed a leisurely walk around the reserve as far as the new boardwalk and along to the ruins of the Peel Tower on Castle Semple Loch. One of us was in a wheelchair and we had no problem getting him along the trail and boardwalk. The trail stops at the Peel Tower but the rangers said that, funds permitting, they would like to extend it further and join up with the trail on the other side of Aird Meadow Loch, which would make it more of a circular walk.

There weren’t many waterfowl around, probably due to the time of year, but we did see a Mute Swan and what looked like a pair of Great Crested Grebes farther out on the loch. The surrounding trees, on the other hand, were pretty busy with birdlife and, even if we couldn’t see them, we could hear them well enough. Using a mobile app called BirdNET, we identified a few of them as a  Eurasian Wren, a Willow Warbler, and a Eurasian Blackcap.

The Peel Tower, sometimes called the Peel of Castle Semple or even "Defender of the Faith", was a fortified tower house built shortly before 1560 by the local Semple family, during the troubled times of the Scottish Reformation, to protect their land and property from raiders and as an impregnable retreat. It was originally built on a rocky islet in Castle Semple Loch but subsequent drainage programmes have left an embankment that now connects it to the shore.

Peel Tower

There's not a lot to see from the boardwalk other than some musket ports and there's no easy way for anyone to clamber over to it and there are warning signs not to leave the boardwalk. Anyway, there was no way we were getting Billy's wheelchair over there and there was a big black Carrion Crow bobbing around, probably hoping someone would try it.

 

After a bit of standing around enjoying the pleasant weather and surroundings, we returned to the visitor centre picnic area for a tasty, à la big box that Raymond brought, salad roll lunch supplemented by teas and coffees from the visitor centre. There were even doughnuts and a cheeky Jackdaw and some wee Sparrows trying to cadge a few crumbs, although I suspect in case of the Jackdaw, a finger would have been more appreciated.

We really enjoyed the visit to Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve and had a good time wandering along the trail. We would definitely recommend it to other groups or individuals who are looking for a fun and educational day out.

Castle Semple Loch

The Neilston Men's Group is a group of local men who get together regularly to socialise and participate in activities. They're committed to making a positive contribution to the local community, and believe that visiting Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve was a valuable way to learn about some of the nature and wildlife that surrounds us while taking advantage of the good weather.

Finally, the standard group shot in front if the visitor centre:

There are a few more photos here:

If you’re interested in visiting Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve, then here are some more details:

• The reserve is located in Renfrewshire, Scotland and is easily accessible by car or train.
  
• It’s open all year round and admission is free, although there is a charge for parking.
• During the Spring, you might see the Great Crested Grebes courting and in Winter you’ll likely see Whooper Swans, Wigeon and a wide variety of ducks and other waterfowl.
• The visitor centre has toilets, a picnic area, a kids play area, and a shop that also sells light refreshments.
• There are a variety of nature trails to choose from, including a wheelchair-accessible trail.

For more information, please visit the RSPB website:

• https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/lochwinnoch/

A Pen Dipped in Poison by J. M. Hall

A Pen Dipped in Poison by J.M. Hall is the sequel to the popular cosy mystery A Spoonful of Murder. In this instalment, retired schoolteachers and now amateur sleuths Liz, Pat, and Thelma are back to solve another mystery when a series of poison pen letters start to circulate in their small town.

 

 

The letters reveal some of the deepest secrets of the town's residents and, as one by one, careers are ruined and relationships are destroyed, the three friends decide that they must take matters into their own hands. But as they get closer to the truth, they begin to wonder just how far someone will go to silence the writer, if discovered or if the writer will actually carry out some of the threats implied.

A Pen Dipped in Poison is a well-written and engaging mystery. The author does a great job of creating a sense of suspense and mystery in the book. The letters are all anonymous, so the characters are never sure who is sending them or what their motives are, which keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

The plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. The book also features a bit of social commentary on the English educational system, which adds an extra layer of depth to the story.

In addition to the mystery, the author also provides some humour in the book. The three main characters are all likeable and relatable, and their interactions with each other are often funny, which helps to lighten the mood of the book and makes it a more enjoyable read.

On the downside, like A Spoonful of Murder, having three protagonists still left me a bit confused at times, trying to identify who was who in each scene.

Overall, I would recommend A Pen Dipped in Poison to fans of cosy mysteries. It's a well-written and engaging mystery with some likeable characters, some not so much, and a satisfying-ish ending, even if it didn’t meet my expectations (no spoilers here). 6/10 😐

The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood

The Marlow Murder Club is a charming and well-written mystery novel by Robert Thorogood, the creator of the Death in Paradise TV series, set in a little Buckinghamshire town on the River Thames.

 

The story follows a group of unlikely amateur detectives who team up to solve a murder that the police are sceptical about. The characters are all well-developed and likeable, and the plot is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about The Marlow Murder Club were the characters. Judith is a retired archeologist, now a crossword setter, who is now in her 70s, lives in a faded mansion and likes to swim wild in the River Thames. She’s sharp, witty, and always has a plan. Becks is the vicar's wife, who’s tough, determined, and fiercely protective of her family. Suzie is a local dog walker and she’s kind, compassionate, and always willing to help others.

When Judith, out having her usual swim in the river one evening, witnesses a murder, the police don't believe her so she takes matters into her own hands. The plot thereafter is full of twists, turns and a few red herrings, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. I found myself racing through the book, eager to find out who the killer was.

Overall, I thought The Marlow Murder Club was a great read. It is a charming, well-written mystery with a cast of likeable characters. I would definitely recommend it to fans of cosy mysteries or anyone who enjoys a good whodunit.

 

It's being adapted into a TV mini-series with Samantha Bond (Downton Abbey, Home Fires) taking the lead as Judith Potts, Cara Horgan (The Sandman, Traitors) as Becks Starling, Jo Martin (Doctor Who, Back to Life) as Suzie Harris, and Natalie Dew (Sandylands, The Capture) as DS Tanika Malik.

• IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27950663/

I would definitely read more books by Robert Thorogood. 7/10 😀

A Spoonful of Murder by J. M. Hall

A Spoonful of Murder by J.M. Hall is a cozy mystery novel set in Yorkshire. The story follows three retired school teachers, Liz, Thelma, and Pat, who become amateur sleuths after their friend Topsy is murdered. The book is full of humour, heart, and suspense, and it'll appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and Richard Osman.

The characters are well-developed and relatable. Liz is the leader of the group, and she's determined to find Topsy's killer. Thelma is the wisecracking one, and she always has a joke to lighten the mood. Pat is the motherly one, and she's always there to offer support and the three friends work well together.

The plot is engaging and suspenseful. The author does a good job of keeping the reader guessing until the very end. There are a few twists and turns along the way, and the ending is satisfying.

Overall, A Spoonful of Murder is a well-written and enjoyable cozy mystery and it's a perfect book to curl up with on the sofa. I would recommend it to fans of the genre with a few caveats:

• Having three protagonists left me a bit confused at times, trying to identify who was who.
• The villain was a bit too predictable.

I enjoyed reading A Spoonful of Murder. It's a good book to read if you're looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of suspense but not too heavy on the thriller side. 6/10 😐