Saturday 20 February 2021

Vita barks to be let out ...

 ... of the door and immediately doubles back into the kitchen as the wind across the terrace hits her in the face. I know how she feels.

I tried some gardening for a while but then retreated inside, having watched a barrow load of carefully pruned and swept up dead twigs and dried grass disappear across the lawn. Too much like hard work!

But it is (at last) excellent grass drying weather, so I may venture forth after lunch with the strimmer and small mower and start attacking the banks and lawns around the cottage.  Who knows, we may have some guests this year after all.

It's also a good day for continuing to dry out the Skoda, which is sitting on the drive with all its doors open. We knew we had a leak but it was only after the January rains - when we found that the water in the driver's footwell (apt name under the circumstances) was coming over the pedals - that we realised just how bad it was and perhaps we ought to do something about it.  Once the electrics began to misbehave we knew it was very serious.  So the windscreen has been replaced and (hopefully) sealed properly. In the meantime, the water that's already in the car needs getting out.

Five full bucket-loads of our industrial vax hoover and there is still a squidgy feeling to the carpets, though no longer a pond. The solid foam underlay seems to have an infinite capacity to retain moisture, hence leaving all the car's doors open in the blustery wind.  I've also resorted to a hair dryer in an attempt to speed up the process.

Although coming from the south, the wind may be too strong for the cranes who are embarking on their annual journey up from Spain back to northern climes.  We were witness to some five to six thousand right overhead one late afternoon during the week.  Wave, after wave directly over our rooftop. A welcome promise of spring, as are the little daffodils that I am uncovering from under the dead twigs and grasses.  Their small size means that their golden heads remain defiantly upright, whatever the weather throws at them. 

4 comments:

  1. Lovely signs of spring...how wonderful to have seen those cranes!
    Let's hope they and the little daffs are a good augury for the year ahead.

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    1. Hello Fly, yes, it is wonderful. This winter has been especially dank and the last few days have been very special. The cranes this year have been amazing in their numbers - I said to Tod we can't ever move anywhere else, or at least it must be under their flightpath! As always, take care.

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  2. Cranes fascinated my dog Ted. I hope Vita is going along well and you all can get back into the dryer garden soon - without having to bark for an open door! Lesley

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    1. Morning Lesley, Bertie occasionally barks at the cranes when the noise is very loud and right overhead but otherwise neither of them are bothered. I think we are more fascinated than they are - always stop what we are doing to watch. Vita doing very well (at last) thanks. Just spends her life looking for poo! But who wouldn't after 3 months of antibiotics, so she's getting probiotics to help.

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