…Bit of a mix-up this week.
A combination of David’s debilitating illness and my appalling time management meant that we missed our usual morning coffee slot and I ended up taking an early afternoon stroll, by myself, along the “promenade” at Parkgate.

I use the term with caution because, although there is undoubtedly a “prom”, and also a “quay” and a “sea-wall” and a “slipway”…there is no longer any sea to be seen;  this part of the Dee Estuary having completely silted up and become a vast and magnificent salt- marsh, reaching across to the Welsh Coast with panoramic views of the Clwyddian hills rising up beyond.

I had brought my binoculars as this part of the estuary is important for  both indigenous and over-wintering migrant bird species.

I was not disappointed.  Within ten minutes I had spotted over a dozen species and was wishing that David could have been here, with his encyclopaedic knowledge of all things ornithological. However, I fear that the time has now passed, when he and I would  enthuse and gain inspiration from the amazing beauty and incredible diversity of this place.

As I was walking and musing, the sun broke through and bathed one of the marsh pools in brilliant light…illuminating a heron, taking off  to flap across the reeds. This also caught the attention of a couple of  local builders who were enjoying their lunchtime fish and chips on one of the benches whilst avoiding the unwelcome attention of a flock of black-headed gulls.

I wandered past the Marsh Cat Restaurant, with its lunchtime diners and into a small square where the local bus turns around. Walking past the picturesque, sandstone St Thomas’ Church I found myself in Coastguard Lane and found my coffee destination for today…the ironically named “Mozkitos” sporting its unusual jaunty mosquito logo.

This is a cosy little venue, featuring a log – burning stove and an interesting menu of light bites and cakes. I ordered a flat white and a slice of coffee-and-walnut cake from the friendly lady at the counter and sat expectantly, taking in the atmosphere. There are only half a dozen tables and I was lucky to secure one in between a couple of grandparents taking a young lad out for a lunchtime treat  and a group of dog walkers who had ordered coffees to take out. The rest of the clientèle consisted of stray bird-watchers and young mums, catching up on the latest local goss.

I enjoyed my coffee and cake but it’s not the same without the company of David and his inexhaustible pool of knowledge and enthusiasm.

I paid and thanked the kind lady and quietly left the lively hubbub of Mozkitos, wondering what next week will bring…

visit:-   www.mozkitos.co.uk