This isn't much fun is it? If it carries on raining like this then I'm going to have to either hibernate or emigrate. Where would I go though? I actually quite like it here despite the miserable weather. If nothing else, it gives us something to moan about and keeps us on our toes. As the weather changes through the seasons, so the world around us changes too and the same run, ride or walk is totally different in the winter compared to the spring or summer. On that note and despite the weather God's doing their best to make life a misery, I've started to notice small signs that better things are on their way. For a starters, it's that little bit lighter of an evening. A few weeks back it was pitch dark by 16:30. On Friday I was still outside finishing off a few bits on Project Patio at 17:00. It may only be 30 minutes, but it makes a big difference and as the days go on the evenings will soon start drawing out. The Daffodils are just starting to poke their heads through the soil in the new beds in the back garden, as are the Aquilegia and Crocuses and there are plenty of Snowdrops adding a bit of winter colour to the hedgerows and gardens. I noticed plenty of Catkins adorning the trees when I was out walking in the rain over the weekend and the Sparrows, Tit's and Finches, along with the ever present Squirrels are all still going about their business if you take the time to look for them. Without a doubt, better days are on their way, and hopefully a reduction in the Coronavirus kerfuffle and a relaxing of the lockdown restrictions with them. Until then though I guess we will just have to keep safe, stay in and find other things to do, whilst planning future adventures. To that end, I suppose I'd better take advantage of a couple of hours sat in front of the fire over the next week or so and sort out my seed order for the allotment. It wont be long before the sun warms the greenhouse up enough to start thinking about sowing some of the early veg and I don't want to be caught napping! Whilst the weathers been doing it's best to help out the lockdown and keep us at all safely at home this week I've been hiding in the workshop, pottering away, trying to occupy my time productively between stints on "Project Patio" and other chores. After my reasonably successful attempts at spoon carving the other week I thought I'd set my sights a bit higher and have a go at carving a bowl/plate. Like with the spoons it was a pretty steep learning curve, but once I'd figured out how to do things with my limited selection of hand tools, I don't think this turned out too badly. I've got to admit that I'm quite pleased with that. There are quite a few things that I would do differently next time and it could be a lot thinner and more delicate. But, I've learned a few things along the way and that's the important thing in my book. In other news, I've mentioned before how I enjoy laying in bed for a few minutes when I first wake up listening to the birds singing. The Robin's normally signing it's heart out in the morning and the Blackbirds and others often join in for a bit of morning chorus too. "The Emma's" got quite a "soup kitchen" going for the birds in the front garden which helps keep them (and thus me) happy and I thought that I'd best do my bit too. So, in a return to my more normal standard of rough carpentry, I took advantage of a rainy morning this week and knocked up a couple of bird houses. Apparently different birds like different size entry holes and the Robin likes an open front, so one size won't fit all. Unfortunately there not all going to fit in the space available at home so a couple are going to have to go up to the allotment. I just need to decide who might need a home where first. It's a hard life when that's the top of your decision making tree isn't it!
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Paul PerrattOld enough to know better, young enough to still feel invincible, stupid enough to keep on trying the same thing again and again. Cyclist, Gardener, Runner, Hiker, Cook, Woodworker, Engineer, Jack of all trades and master of none, Anti social old git and all round miserable bugger. Archives
March 2024
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