Sand Drawing with BBC Springwatch!

Seriously though, how good is that map? Cheers @WeatherNick! #Springwatchhttps://t.co/BQLVqnG35l

— BBC Springwatch (@BBCSpringwatch) March 25, 2016

The winter is coming to an end, so it’s time to get back on the beach and rake some sand! Our first trip out was with the wonderful crew at BBC Springwatch on the Pembrokeshire Coast.   There is a lot of organizing and planning that goes into making a sand drawing, it sometimes takes weeks of planning. We all do our bit whether it be design, planning and logistics or simply packing vans and making tools. Tom Bolland need not have bothered packing the van so carefully, as Jamie Wardley had other ideas……..”Let’s take Bungle to Pembrokeshire!” Jamie exclaimed “He could be our very own catering van, baby play centre and travel all rolled into one”

Road trip in Bungle our VW T25

As much as I love Bungle, our beloved VW T25 Campervan, he isn’t the most reliable of vehicles. Jamie was adamant, so off we went. Surprisingly enough, Bungle did get us there….just! The battery light shining red all the way, it finally limped into the car park at the National Trust and gave up. Needless to say, the rest of the trip included lots of use of our jump start kit and nightly battery charges.   As children of the 80’s Jamie and myself, Claire Jamieson grew up watching The Really Wild Show, so it was great to be able to meet some faces from our childhood. Flossy was oblivious to the fact that the lady cuddling and cooing over her, had a long career in presenting wildlife programs across the world. Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham were filming at different sites throughout the day and would be joining us later at the beach, so off I went, rake in hand to start work.

Florence with Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan

As soon as the tide receded, I got to work making the sand drawing, with Jamie and Floss cheering me on from the cliff overlooking the beach. We were so lucky to have such a lovely sunny day to work on the beach, as a few days earlier there were gale force winds. I spent the next few hours making a drawing of the British Isles in the sunshine. The BBC crew then set about filming on the map. The purpose was to describe the impact of the weather on the current bird migration across the country as part of the Springwatch series.

Sand In Your Eye, sand drawing in Wales

The day went really well and the crew were all really good to work with, big thanks to you all and for looking after us so well. We hope to work with you all again at some point. Check out the episode on BBC IPlayer Springwatch

Map of the UK on the beach

We decided to stay on a few days and check out some of the other beaches around. The sand season is beginning!!!