Full of the joys of spring

Well, our complement of frogs certainly are! We have not one but two male voice choirs (baritone in the top pond and bass in the bottom (no I have no idea why)) with a few determined soloists in the stream. Giant wobbling clouds of spawn testify to their felicity. In previous years the froggie socialContinue reading “Full of the joys of spring”

Taking the hint

The Gods, it seems, do not want me weeding the garden. Every time I am on the verge of donning Uncle Tommy’s excellent gardening strides the wind whips up to a howling hoolie and it starts to rain. I have mustered three, maybe four, decent days out with my tools since my last confession. (AndContinue reading “Taking the hint”

The Longest Month

After the blog odyssey that was the run up to Christmas, I decided to give myself (and all the dear readers out there) a few weeks off from my wittering. However, with January (which always seems to last forever…) finally put to bed, I thought I might post a quick catch up (if only toContinue reading “The Longest Month”

Fourteen tasks ignorèd

After all good parties, there must be a day of rest and recuperation. Day 14 is just such a day – apart from the rest bit- I rather over did it in the garden (as will be explained). As a result the day 14 round up shows meagre progress. I awoke, post party, feeling distinctlyContinue reading “Fourteen tasks ignorèd”

No dancing, but some prancing.

The rain deigned to stop this morning. Dog walking and gardening therefore resumed. As a result, Christmas Elfery was limited to the hour or so between peeling off the muddy gardening clothes and our penultimate pilates class of the year (which, as mum is at great pains to point out, is one more than sheContinue reading “No dancing, but some prancing.”

The milk maids are getting truculent

Another day of dismal weather and no prospect of getting out has left me grouchy. I suspect my normal, less Grinch-like, demeanour is at least 50 per cent down to getting a good distance from my nearest and dearest but with the rain set to permanent we are all lurking in the house at muchContinue reading “The milk maids are getting truculent”

In and out days

Autumn is working its way up to a full suite of weather. Thus far we have had brilliant sun, torrential rain, fog, gusty winds and a light frost. On fine days Lyra and I have strolled along the river bank admiring the birds (me) and enjoying the occasional paddle (Lyra). Lyra can find the paddlingContinue reading “In and out days”

Summer Swan Song

Having confidently declared autumn up and running in my last blog, we found ourselves enjoying a mini Indian Summer last week. Everyone, and everything, seemed to come out to enjoy the sun. Little troupes of mushrooms suddenly appeared in the garden. They crept stealthily out from under trees and a few, bolder types, marched confidentlyContinue reading “Summer Swan Song”

You gotta roll with it*

*In keeping with the zeitgeist I am offering up an appropriate soundtrack for this post. I am, as it happens, typing away in the kitchen whilst Keith cooks and I have to say he is not indulging in any Oasis nostalgia and purports to be singing some 70s rock. It is not entirely clear whatContinue reading “You gotta roll with it*”