In the week since I last wrote, the weather has changed dramatically, bringing stormy winds and rain. Before this, we had a few warm days and gentle southerly winds, which made for very calm seas. I seized the opportunity to go on a whale-watching trip from Whitby before the season ended. I love boats, though my stomach prefers flat seas!

September is the peak month for sightings of Minke whales in the area, usually at least a couple of miles offshore. Of course, no wildlife trip can guarantee sightings, but I knew we had a good chance. The two-and-a-half-hour trip left at 9.30 in the morning and by 10.00am, we’d seen four Minke whales! The majesty and grace of these huge animals surfacing is breathtaking. The anticipation, the waiting, the sudden splashes it is completely absorbing. It felt a true privilege to witness these magnificent creatures in their seasonal visit to our area. I was thrilled.

Later, I spent time on the pier, enjoying the vast seascape and continuing to watch for wildlife. As I walked back, something caught my eye on a wall by the sea. I grabbed my binoculars and my heart sank. There was a bird, caught in fishing wire and dangling from a rusty old ladder, accessible only from the water. It looked hopeless.

It was horrible to see the little bird struggling. Of course, I wanted to help. I remembered a coach once saying, “Where there is a problem, there’s a solution.” I rang a local volunteer, who was with me within fifteen minutes. She then contacted the lifeboat station, who were willing to assist but they needed emergency authorization from the coastguard. A 999 call later, and rescue was on its way.

The volunteer and I positioned ourselves to direct the lifeboat team to the bird. I was tearful watching the emergency rib arrive with three burly RNLI men in their orange uniforms. I’d been “talking” to the bird from afar, trying to reassure it, and now rescue had arrived. Seeing the tiny turnstone safely cut free and carried away was incredibly moving.

The volunteer took the bird home for the night and reported it was bright and active in the morning, though it had a damaged wing and was being taken to a rescue centre for rehabilitation. I hope it is doing well.

This week’s self-kindness invitation is to remind yourself that you are worthy of asking for help when you need it. It may not always appear in the way you expect, but sometimes support shows up in surprising, life-affirming ways.