When Julie phoned me to say that a customer had seen an osprey on the river, practically through the dining room window, I was sceptical. That Lakeland ale can do strange things to a man's perceptions. One closing time I saw three pink submarines sailing in formation under the bridge. It was only when they started quacking that the truth dawned. Anyway, I made enquiries of my twitcher mates and sure enough an osprey had alighted at Heron's reach, eight miles away, shortly after the Cartford sighting.In spring these big, rare and handsome fish hawks migrate from West Africa and head north up the country to their traditional nesting areas. This one, a memorable sighting on the Wyre, had probably become confused on hearing the strange Out Rawcliffe dialect. Don't we all!On a more serious note: when you arrive at the Cartford of an evening, pause for a moment and listen to the songs of the competing blackbirds. At this time of year you'll hear no sweeter music. Later, if it happens to be Thursday, you may catch the warbling of the great double-nine spotted domino player - equally enthusiastic but possibly lacking the blackbird's finesse.And don't forget to check the menu for Patrick's latest mouth-watering multicultural offering, 'loin of wild, hairy Scot' – or is my Specsavers appointment overdue?
