It’s been a surprisingly half-decent week. I know! What are the chances of that? We had less rain this week (although there’s still plenty more than we need at the moment) and even a few spells of modest sunshine. I am assured by people who know about these sorts of things that Spring will eventually arrive.
And, speaking of Spring – as the days get longer our daily school transport run has become marginally less demoralising. A few weeks ago we were departing and arriving back home in the pitch dark. Now, the sun is gently rising as we leave and still going relatively strongly when we get home. Yes! Spring will be here before you know it.
And, the birds, of course, are going mental. As I walk Daisy along Plumpton Lane of an afternoon, the birds in the hedgerows are aburst with song telling rivals to stay away or attempting to attract a partner. I can’t tell which.
Apparently, in spite of our continual moaning about the surplus of rain we’ve enjoyed these last few weeks, the BBC assures me that this has not been a particularly wet winter.
Provisional statistics from the Met Office show that is not the case, with rainfall so far this season just 9% above average for the UK as a whole – wet, but far from the wettest.
The article does go on to explain that there has been considerable regional variation, of course. Where we are, in southern England, it’s on course to be the second wettest winter on record whereas the north has been significantly drier than normal. We’re certainly looking forward to it ending and before you know it, we’ll be in a drought and slapped with a hosepipe ban!
My brother Steph has recently become the proud owner of a labrador retriever puppy. (“Owner” sounds like the wrong word to me – perhaps “carer” or “companion” might be a better term). We grew up in a household with a succession of labradors, both black and yellow and Steph’s household has nurtured a couple of others prior to this one. When their last boy moved on, like us, they decided to do without a canine companion for the time being. And, like us, they found that a home without a dog was missing something.
As the puppy settles in, Steph has been wondering whether he made the right decision. My response – providing a home for our Daisy was the best decision we ever made.
He was tempted to call it “Yoohoo” which I think is a marvellous name. Imagine being in a field and shouting “Yoohoo” at the top of your lungs. However, I gather they’ve settled on something more suitable with the term Shenanigans incorporated somehow. I’ll have to ask him for the definitive version.
[I am informed that Yoohoo’s registered name is Lakota Delightful Mountain Dew but she will be called “Shenanigans”].
These photos come from Steph’s daughter Amanda, our current Dr Stragnell. The black lab is Amanda’s dog, Lincoln. Enjoy.
And finally, if you have clear skies in your vicinity over the next few nights you might be able to witness a relatively infrequent “planetary parade.” Six planets – Jupiter, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune, Mercury and Venus – will appear to be in a straight line (a straight line on a curved sky, admittedly).
Pretty doubtful that we’ll get a decent view but if you’ve got clear skies and not too much light pollution have a look. It’s one of those celestial occurrences which doesn’t ask you to get out of bed at 3.00 am or similar. Wrap up warm!
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And, be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get. And, hold your loved ones close.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg