I am a late adopter of nature programmes. I watched them as a kid but never had a passion for them. Too much risk of peril, emotional trauma and creepy crawlies. No thank you.
Then softened by Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Countryfile you end up watching Planet Earth II and getting hooked.
Now Blue Planet is back and I’m glued to that. I didn’t watch the first series because, in a stunning act of ignorance on my part, it’s just fish. The eejit points are mounting. It’s the first episode and I now know that dolphins make friends, fish can use tools and there is what I class as a feminist fish that is female for ten years and then becomes male. I also got emotional about a walrus.
The filmmakers do such an amazing job. It is awe inspiring. The commitment, technical ability and talent are stunning.
Then there is David Attenborough. His passion, knowledge and curiousity have widened the horizons and inspired millions of people. Right now there’ll be a child somewhere watching the camera crew filming surfing dolphins who’ll grow up to be a documentary maker, explorer, vet, zoologist, marine biologist, surfer or scientist because of the programmes he’s created. His fizziness ignites fizziness. That’s the best thing you can do for anyone. Three cheers for David Attenborough.