Friday 16th March 2018

Friday.

Although Friday was going to be a warm and pleasant spring day, weather warnings have been issued for the weekend for snow and high winds. It seemed impossible that would happen, as the sun rose into the clear blue sky, throwing golden light onto our garden, as it is full of new growth and feeding birds. But there you go, the beast from the east's little brother is going to huff and puff for two days, maybe bringing snow on Saturday.

But until then, I could wander down the new path, looking at the now 18 fritillaries showing through the new beds, and lawn, filling the air with their sweet scent. Blue Tits and Robins are cheeping at me to get the heck out of the garden as they wanted their breakfast. Anyway, I have stuff to arrange, an inspector is in Spain chasing down some items for the project, and I have to find out if all is going well. So I go back inside to work.

All is not going well, but with two phone calls and an e mail, I sort things out and we are back on track.

Phew.

That called for a coffee.

The weather forecast for the weekend was changing hourly, but both Jools and I decided independently that we should go shopping Friday rather than risk of being snowed in on Saturday and having to drink cat's milk in our coffee.

THe day was quiet on the work front, but still calling my man in Spain, and all was now going well.

At half three, Jools comes home, our planned walk in the sunshine was curtailed. We grab the bags and drive to Tesco where it seems many schools had finished early, as the aisles were filled with screaming hyperactive kids in blazers and uniforms, and then I felt like that inside now the weekend was here. I just celebrate with a pint of merlot.

We get all we need for a few days, including milk. We pay and are off home, unloaded and ready for action by four. And as the year has turned nearly to the spring equinox, it was still light enough to go for that walk.

The sun was low and the light golden, but it was warm, 15 degrees or so, meaning it was very pleasant indeed. Not much growing beside the path over the fields, just a few red dead nettles, but plenty of spring growth showing.

No pigs in the copse, but it looks like preparations are being made for this years captives.

Down the lane to the dip, stopping at the top to look down on its flooded bottom. Now, that's a problem we can all relate to: flooded bottoms. On the way back I investigate a little used path and find lots of green shoots along with a single forget me not, two huge clumps of dog violets and Groundsorel. I snap them all.

Of course.

We wander back home in the golden light, arriving back home in time for a brew, and for me another night off cooking duties, as we were off out for a curry.

The Swingate used to be a pub, but is now a good Indian restaurant, and their start of ticks prawns is something to taste to be believed. So a table was booked for half six, meaning the place was just half full when we took our seats. I order the prawns and then chicken ghee to follow, which was very good. Although we are both stuffed.

At least from the Swingate it is just a five minute drive home. Back indoors we take our seats on the sofa for the new series of Gardner's World and our weekly date with The Don. But we were both struggling to keep our eyes open through the show, and we both head up the wooden hill at nine again.

More rock and roll.