Yesterday at about 7.30pm Mervyn Lloyd and I visited Ynyslas to see what birds the high tide might bring in. When we got to the "point" the wind was whipping up quite a sand-storm. There were fair numbers of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Oystercatchers, and a couple of Turnstones hunkered down in the pebbles but as the incoming tide pushed them further up the beach, rather than withstand the sandstorm they took off to search for shelter.
When I got home I was alarmed at the amount of sand that had found its way into the eye-pieces of my binoculars and telescope.
This morning I took Lulu & Buster along the track leading to Dyfi Junction Railway Station. When we reached the platform we were forced to take shelter from the downpour of rain and hail. Eventually though, we had to trudge back through the continuing deluge.
When we got home - drenched - I put my dripping binoculars on the kitchen table and it occurred to me how much punishment our optical equipment is subject to. I decided to give my bins and scope a well overdue mucking out. It's amazing how much better they perform now they've been cleaned.