Category: Nature

Nests

The aerial men came out today.
After months of a pixilated picture all broken up or frozen (on certain channels worse than others) we now have a new aerial, a boost box and clear pictures on the two TVs in the house. It wasn’t cheap, but I hope it’s worth it. We don’t watch a great deal of TV, but it is most frustrating when the one thing that deserves watching is in fact un-watchable because of a poor picture.

Whilst clambering on the roof the TV aerial man discovered that we have a wasp nest in the edge of the roof. The wasps didn’t appreciate his presence. Rather disconcerting for him. If it had been me discovering a swarm of wasps while I was on the roof I’d have fallen off. One good reason I’m not a TV aerial technician.

Anyway the wasp nest discovery explains the changed appearance of the wood on the porch. Continue reading “Nests”

Headgear

It was mostly about headgear yesterday. Posh headgear. Not cycling helmets or berets or straw boaters or little transparent plastic rainhoods the like of which my nan always used to have handy in her bag in case of a sudden rainshower.

It was important that those little rainhoods were transparent. I mean, you pay all that money for a purple rinse so people should jolly well be able to admire it,  even in the harshest of Welsh weather. Continue reading “Headgear”

Windsurfing

You know how it is when stuff is free. It feels mean not to avail yourself. People have gone to a lot of trouble and it would be rude to refuse.

It was our first all-inclusive hol and there were drinks, all the food you could want and free watersports. Well, obviously booze and swimming don’t mix. Neither do food and swimming for that matter so that was mostly for the evening.

I’m not one of those “alarm clock” sunbathers who turn themselves regularly beneath the roasting Caribbean sun to create that lovely mahogany tan so beloved of Peter Stringfellow which will inevitably turn into briefcase leather at around 65 years old. Continue reading “Windsurfing”

Watery Paradise II

Those noises were very spooky. It’s not as if you don’t hear noise underwater. I’ve heard boat engines, outboards, jetskis, pedaloes, people noises and the sound of rain on the surface of the ocean, but never this weird, unearthly kind of calling.

Sometimes a lower pitch moan seemed to be “answered” by a higher pitch whine, mixed with other more faint noises which were difficult to discern. Continue reading “Watery Paradise II”

Watery paradise

I left some Caribbean beach between my toes for the flight, the sea in my hair for two days and the Virgin holidays luggage label is still on the rucksack.

I have shells on the dressing table and pieces of washed up coral and I’m wearing the weird shell, local rock and local wood bracelet that Helenora the lady who sat on the beach stringing beads, made for me. Continue reading “Watery paradise”

The Ballad of Brave Monty Mouse: The Flood

It rained and rained, and in the nest,
They shook their duvets sadly.
The damp was dire, and all were stressed;
The mice were faring badly.

Hips, haws, and berries for their needs
Were in the grain store dank.
‘Twas also full of mildewed seeds,
Monty’s spirits sank.

Continue reading “The Ballad of Brave Monty Mouse: The Flood”

North South Divide

‘Ne’er cast a clout til May be out’…I could explain the origin of this little phrase, but it is done so well here that I shall let you click on the link.

Needless to say I have been casting clouts on and off during March and April. On Saturday in our little piece of Oxfordshire the car thermometer read 27.5 c as we set off up North. Exceptionally warm for April. When packing the Easter Eggs  Bunnies I had to put them in a cool box to keep them intact on the journey.
On Friday night I had done that thing which usually induces the rain to fall shortly afterwards…. I had watered the garden. As we travelled I heard on the radio there had been some sudden heavy showers over the South of the UK.  Oxfordshire seems to fall into that part of the country which is sometimes the South and sometimes the Midlands. So,  had it rained on my garden….? I would have to wait and see. Continue reading “North South Divide”