Sunday 17th March 2019

The weekend.

And the wind and rain stopped, meaning we could do fun things like look for orchids.

I say that as it is nearly time for the season to begin, and anyway, a walk in the woods would be fun, no?

And then there was the pond. The wildlife pond. Jools is fine, but mine kept drying out, so it was decided we needed a new, bigger one.

A plan was agreed.

With us both on a diet, I am at least allowed to enjoy food, while Jools suffers the penance of shakes, it does mean there is more time in the mornings for other things.

Even still, with the sun abroad and shining well, we were on the road by eight, driving to Barham to check on the orchids.

Up the bridleway, Early Purples were showing well, and I found a Lady rosette there for the first time. Hope it gets to flower.

Then back down to the wood where hundreds of Lady rosettes were getting large and juicy, and inbetween, thousands of Common Twayblades were emerging.

Up in the trees, birds were singing, woodpeckers pecking, and I had a huge smile on my face as I walked up and down looking at the baby orchids growing.

It'll soon be time.

Back to the car and we drive back out onto the A2, then over to Wingham and onto to Sandwich to Ramsgate to the huge garden centre, where they had a pool centre.

We get a pre-formed base, some more plants and make it back home dounle quick, put on our workboots and get digging the old pool out, and digging down and down to the chalky bedrock. We made the hole larger, propped up the shelves onto which we would place the plants.

Happy with that we filled with water, placed plants and all but put up a huge neon sign telling frogs to come here and spawn.

I go to make dinner; shoarma spiced lamb, stir fry and noodles. And wine.

I know how to rock.

Jools has the same, but smaller amounts.

We then watch as the garden fills with birds, feeding on the seeds I had scattered.

The football played out on TV, only half watched, as my heart wasn't really in it as it was time to pack and get ready for more time away from home.

Wildflowerhour on Twitter, time for a shower and bed.

All done for another week.