One would have hoped that all the Covid fuss would have died down at the end of 2020 and that the vaccination project would have yielded results sooner, but it was not be. We started the 2021 Orchid season with travel outside Wales for anything but essential purposes banned, and all hospitality shut down. I know a good few may disagree with me, but I cannot see the logic of not allowing me to visit a nature reserve or wide open space with absolutely minimal contact with anybody else is safer than exercising in my local park, where on a nice day it gets quite crowded (10,000 live within walking distance).

Anyway, another slow start to the season and no foreign trips. At least getting out and about does not require you to mask up or (usually) provide test and trace details.

After 2020 restrictions meant that I revisited too many familiar sites I am determined that this year return visits are for a particular purpose, rather than just something to do,  I want to see new finds, and visit new sites. But, will this happen? The answer is yes and no. No travel abroad is a big disappointment and in UK no new areas visited. However, there are a dozen new sites, one new species and some new hybrids. I always knew that the more one gets to see the harder it gets to add to the lists.