500 Not Out (Despite the Weather)

Unexpectedly, because it's crept up on me, this is my 500th blog. 500 bits of nonsense that suffering readers have endured - congratulations if you are reading this - YOU deserve the prize!

The weather remains bitterly cold here in the north of the UK with the easterly wind continuing to drawn down cold breezes from the north of Europe and temperatures remain much below average for the time of the year.  Having said that, in relative terms it has been dry and these last few days have seen a fair amount of sun. Behind a window or in the car, it's lovely and warm and the early morning sun defrosts the car for me before I have to go to work. The lakes of water on the land have more or less disappeared around here now although reading a blog by Weaver in North Yorkshire, there is still a lot of standing water around and in some parts, snow still causes problems.

I don't like the cold much although I love the seasons still.

I have taken a few days off like many others and tagged it onto the Easter Bank Holiday weekend thereby saving a day of holiday entitlement. I've cut the hedge which was admittedly a bit hairy and wild and the grass got its first cut for this year on Tuesday. The fish ponds have had a crude quick makeover without disturbing the fish too much and the protective nets are off. You shouldn't really feed them until the temperature is around 5 degrees and we have just about got to that but the night time frosts are keeping the water temperature down. I've tempted them with a little wheatgerm, but so far, they haven't touched it. 

I apologise for the picture quality - taken on my mobile phone.

Before

After

My lad saw a squirrel the other day actually find a peanut that it had previously buried in my grass. They are a pain sometimes but they are nature's creatures. There were holes all over the grass I discovered created by the furry monsters when I cut it, but you can tell unless you are standing over it so I guess I can put up with it.

The birds are very active right now and there have been some subtle changes around here in respect of them. Firstly we have regular daily visits from long tailed tits, a very active funny little bird which hitherto we only got in sporadic visits, I hope they are nesting nearby, they are such fun to watch as they hyperactively and acrobatically flit from branch to branch. Wrens are supposed to be the most popular bird in the UK in so far as numbers are concerned, although we only see one now and then. There are now daily appearances of this delightful if somewhat shy little brown thing. 

A bird I haven't seen for donkeys years appeared the other day - a pair of redwings. It looks like a light coloured blackbird but has a russet red patch just on the side of it under its wing. It doesn't nest here, but I'm not sure where they migrate to in the UK summer.  A fieldfare, a kind of thrush has also been hopping about, another winter visitor, soon to depart these shores. It's been a delight to see these birds.

I watched the news this morning, something I'm trying to do less of and noted the tension in the Korean peninsular is increasing with this incredibly odd regime in North Korea now making serious public threats of attack on the United States of America. I am not debating the issues here which are complex, historic and cultural, but I am concerned for world peace once more. I ask everyone who reads this blog, whether spiritual or not, whether religious or not to spend a few minutes sending positive thoughts out for a peaceful resolution.

None of us need or want war, whether its on our doorstep or not.

Chat soon

ta-ra

Which photo for Facebook?

Have you noticed how everyone is now talking a lot more positively about weekends, days off etc? People at work for example are looking forward to two four-day weeks starting next week either side of Easter; indeed I am thinking more about my holiday in June - we're going to Portugal, somewhere I've never been and I'm really looking forward to it. One little dark cloud on the horizon is this morning I understand Portugal's credit rating has been downgraded because there's a lot of debt, so I hope they don't slip into recession. Perhaps the only advantage might be more euros to the pound over there - is that how it works?

It's my middle son's birthday today - Happy Birthday!

My geranium plug plant have arrived this morning which means I am looking forward to spending some time in the garden this weekend potting them on to 3 inch pots - save to say that rain is forecast - oh joy!

I've put a really boring photograph of the fish on the blog today, not because it's at all interesting other than the fact that they are active now, they are hunting for bits to eat and it's lovely to see their colour emerging from hiding under the weed this winter. I'm feeding them some crushed wheatgerm until the temperature warms up a little after which I can feed them some tasty high protein food which they adore.

Well I've gone and done it and I said I wouldn't - I've reactivated my Facebook account. I have no real idea why because it was taking a fair bit of time keeping up to date, but I need to use technology to help me do more automatic tasks like publish links to this blog on it. Then the dilemma of a photograph. I take such a poor one and they are never flattering - oh the choice! I guess I like to people watch in truth and keep up with colleagues and acquaintances I only ever see or hear from occasionally, so if you are on Facebook and follow this blog and would like to add me, let me know and I'll pass you my details.

It was my first day back to work today after six days off and whilst I didn't get to do all I wanted to, it was fairly relaxing. I was welcomed back this morning by some and others mentioned they hadn't seen me around which is cool and I welcome the friendly atmosphere in which I work. Another colleague is coming back to work tomorrow, only she's been off for quite a while because she's been bringing up new child into the world. I know she would rather not be at work, but for us, it will be good to have her back.

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but I haven't spoken to my mother in law for thirty years. Oh, we haven't fallen out - I just can't get a word in edge ways. I always know when she's coming round - before she gets here the mice are throwing themselves on the traps. She offered to cook a meal for us which, seriously, is very kind. The trouble is she's a terrible cook. Her rhubarb pie is one foot long and an inch wide. Pygmies come and dip their darts in her custard. We did have one argument once: She said to me, "When you're dead, I'll dance on your grave." "Good," I said, "I'm being buried at sea!" That's why I've never been married twice - I couldn't stand breaking in another mother in law. What's your like?

Hope you are enjoying the week.

Chat soon

Ta-ra

Ne'er cast a clout 'till May is out...

What do you call it when worms take over the world? Global Worming!

Spring seems to be here and the birds are singing again. Although there is a warning of colder weather returning soon, going to work and going home in daylight makes all the difference. I noticed a neighbour’s garden has drifts of snowdrops in flower and with fewer frosts I actually had the window at work open these last two days.

I love the garden and I don’t really touch it at all after picking up the last of the leaves in mid December. Two months absence will be at an end next week when I have a few days off work and tidying up ready for the year ahead starts in earnest. The fish will be looking forward to a few bits of wheat germ based food after a winter of abstinence – something they can digest easily. I won’t clean the pond out just yet; they don’t like being disturbed too much when they are torpid. I’ve had the pond waterfall going all winter and that’s kept the water reasonably filtered and clear for them.

Sitting in the garden at dusk is magical this time of year. The air is generally still, the cloud formations are so attractive; the birdsong is clear and melodious and when it gets chilly, a hot cup of tea and a warm fire beckons.

The grass has survived well and I have some compost from a compost bin with last year’s green kitchen waste and clippings that need to be forked in around the borders. I will be pruning some shrubs and getting ready to sit out on a tidy patio.

This is the only real exercise I get and am thoroughly looking forward to it. I only wish I could afford Garden Force to come in and give me some ideas for a small patio for us to sit on in the middle of the garden.

Ne'er cast a clout 'till May is out... I can't give you a literal translation, but essential it means don't take a chance in taking any layers of clothes off until June arrives, because this country is famous for its last minute chilly spells as we get lulled into a false sense of security.

Chat soon

Ta-ra