A bit more excitement than we looked for

It was a very mixed day yesterday, both weatherwise and experience wise. Sheila went on the WeBS walk round the marina first thing, but the birdies were sensibly mostly hiding in the bushes out of the rain and wind. Still, they did establish that the Great Crested Grebe have one chick and Sheila had her first sighting of an Oyster Catcher chick.

After lunch we had a lift to Pleasley Pit Nature Reserve. The website I’ve linked to is very informative, but in a nutshell, the pit is one of the last deep mines to be worked in the Derby/ Notts coalfield and the winding gear and associated buildings have been listed as an Ancient Monument.

In the meantime, the spoil heap has become a nature reserve, of particular interest because the poor quality of the soil makes it a good location for a variety of our native orchids.

We were half way through a very informed walk in the reserve when we saw two horses trotting towards us. This wouldn’t have been of great concern except that they were all tacked up and there was no sign of the riders.

Whilst some tried to catch the beasts and then to notify staff back at the buildings that they were loose, four of us backtracked them along the side of the reserve. After quite a walk, we found what we’d been dreading, a motionless figure on the ground and a very anxious young woman talking to the emergency services on her mobile.

The casualty was her mother and had fallen off whilst cantering, landed hard and been kicked. She was unconscious and unresponsive, though breathing OK and by chance lying in the semi prone recovery position. Since paramedics and air ambulance were on their way, all we could do was to use our coats to keep her warm and to wait, supporting and reassuring the daughter as far as we could.

After what seemed an age, as always, but in fact could only have been ten minutes or so, one of the Derbyshire Park Rangers arrived in his Defender bringing the paramedics. The chopper turned up not long after and was able to land on the track quite close to the scene.

We withdrew and headed back to the centre where we had much needed cups of tea or chocolate. Obviously we just hope all turned out all right; the chopper was last seen heading for the local hospital rather than Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham, suggesting that at least at first assessment there was no need for neuro input.

As may be imagined, we had a quiet evening and a rather disturbed night. Overall, it had been a good day, and as I said yesterday, we’re very grateful to Jo and Wynne James for organising it and transporting us.

Today we’re waiting for an Ocado delivery and Sheila is catching up with the washing whilst she’s still got access to the tumble driers. Tomorrow, we head out once more, stopping first for a pump out as we go.