A quick catch-up. The Lowdown on Lock Down

 And so on it goes. Most of this year we have been in lock down and I am so grateful to have the garden and my home to enjoy. It got really cold and some of my plants have suffered from frost, but I had a good fire going and was cosy. Then the rain which kind of keeps one in anyway. I even did some oil painting which I really enjoy even if the results are ... well, it's therapeutic!

My granddaughters haven't been able to go to school or playgroup and I think that's very hard for them. Even the local playground is out of bounds. No children are seen in the village. They are all indoors doing remote schooling via computer. I take the younger ones for walks around the lanes, observing the signs of spring and finding fairies!

We have had more rain which is a blessing after the years of drought. Still not the same amount that used to pour out of the sky when I first arrived. 24 years ago it rained nearly every day for 5 months! It was very muddy and my youngest son learned to say 'deep' standing in a puddle with the water pouring over his wellies!

The land is everywhere green and lush with chamomile, including my roofs. The garden has been dug over and some vegetables have been sown, but the slugs and snails have been voracious and sometimes I feel like quitting the whole b*****y thing! But I don't. I put cuttings into pots and they either make it or not. Usually they do.

The little pond is still a delight. It has a tiny solar fountain which keeps the surface rippling. There are at least six frogs living in it and the little fish.

I am helping a friend to build his own cob castle. I find it so exciting that it is possible and massively satisfying to build with the clay soil from beneath our feet.

The guinea pigs are doing well. Baby Jesus is almost as big as the adults. He scoots about very quickly and is very shy. I say 'he' but I don't know if he's a boy or a girl! They follow me into the garden squealing delightfully, knowing I will pull some long grass and dandelion leaves for them. I thought the cats were becoming too interested in them but it turns out that mice have started to nest under their straw so that they can eat the left over seeds of their food...

All the fruit trees are beginning to blossom. Who cannot be thrilled by the sight? Let's hope for a gentle easing into spring and an easing of the lock down. I miss the cafe culture!