Author: Jeff

Pic of the week 24/4/22

On Wednesday Becky & I went for a walk. We drove out to, and then climbed, Burrow Mump before walking along the River Parrott. It was a warm day, and wonderful walk. Until we turned back north to cut across some fields and circle our way back to the car park.

All was well as we passed a small group of cows by the river edge – as we calmly and confidently strode by they kept their distance. Turning into the next field, there were more cows. Again, initially they gave us a wide berth but as we walked along the field edge they became a bit more confident and began to follow us, initially leaving a long distance between us and them, but as we walked further through the field, they began to close up – more than once I turned and eyeballed them, letting them know who was boss, and they stopped, but as we walked on they continued to creep ever closer.

Reaching the gate was a relief, and Becky was swift to mount the five bar and put a barrier between her and our bovine followers.

But relief did not last for long.

Waiting for us in the next field was a bigger herd – twenty or thirty head of cattle looking at us inquisitively from 10 yards.

There was nothing for it, but to stride purposefully onwards, towards them, and they did swiftly scatter. But that was not the end of it. They were skittish and excitable, running alongside us, often veering towards us, necessitating a roar from me to send the pounding away. It was getting tense, and when the cows began to circle us it was as if we were in an old fashioned western movie – we were the settlers being surrounded by angry Indians, and we know those scenes only ever ended one way.

We kept a veneer of calm as our pace perceptively quickened along with our rising heartbeats. There was only one way – onwards.  For five minutes we strode across the field until at last a fence and gate offered us salvation. A quick scurry over the gate saw us land safely on the other side, able to continue our walk without further incident.

Friday was a much more leisurely affair as Sam led us on a walk through the woods leading up to Pen Hill mast. The woodland floor was carpeted with bluebells – a magnificent site on a wonderful two hour stroll.

On Saturday I planted up some sunflower seeds – 30 Giant Singles and 30 Korg (which should be a tall multi- headed variety) Here’s hoping they all germinate successfully.

Took Sophie back to Reading on Monday, and Sam back to Cardiff today, so it is back to the two of us for the next five weeks.  Back to school for me tomorrow.

Pic of the week 13/3/22

It has been another tough, tiring week at work for me, but one’s spirits are lifted by the signs of Spring that are now beginning to burst forth. All of a sudden, I can look out of my window and see our magnificent magnolia full of bloom and flower. It is almost as if it has snuck up on us, going from a collection of twigs to big flowers almost overnight.

The daffodils we planted last September are now also doing their stuff and are sitting proud in their clumps all across the garden.  The giant planter at the front of the house looks really good now there is a mix of dafs in flower, interspersed with the grape hyacinths that have, at last, begun to flower. As I write, the rain is once again failing (and yesterday was v cold in the v strong wind) but much of the day today has seen the sun shine through blue skies, and it has been uplifting.

After my run – not the best of time due to the strong wind – breakfast, pottering outside (tidying up the scarps of tiles that were left outside in the front garden and went to the tip to dispose of them x2 bags at £4 per bag) lunch, a read and a snooze, I do feel re-energised and revitalised for the week to come. I think we can safely say winter is pretty much over, and spring is on its way.

Pic of the week 27/2/22

With no home matches this Saturday, I wasn’t needed to referee so finished the day a little earlier. It was a beautiful day and, as I arrived home, Becky – who had at last tested negative after two weeks of positive tests – was about to set of for a walk, so I joined her.  Parking at the Hood layby, we walked down into Compton Dundun, looped round the village and back to the car.  It was only a 40 minute romp, but it was lovely to get out in the sunshine and se definite signs of spring on its way. A real treat.

Today, after swimming (I pulled/tweaked my hamstring last Saturday, so haven’t run since – could possibly have run today, but decided to give it a bit longer to heal) I spent the rest of the morning in the garden – another beautiful day with blue skies and warm sun – when you were in it. I continued to tidy the area by the compost bins, and then gave the buddleia a significant chopping back, only stopping when the car could fit no more for a tip run.

And yet the dawning of spring is marred by conflict in Ukraine.  Earlier this week, Russia launched an invasion into its neighbour. It is bloody and brutal, full on shooting war in Europe. The only positive is is that it doesn’t appear to be going the way Putin planned it, the resolve of Ukraine has been steadfast, Russia has become a pariah state, the west is unifying around the need to support Ukraine and, I suspect, in the long term this will mark the end of Putin and weaken Russia as a global player – it has been shown that if you stand up to them,  they can be beaten. However, the price Ukrainians (and, to be fair, many of the Russian soldiers – mere conscripts who are not sure why they are there) will be high. I think we are living through an event as globally important as the fall of the Soviet Bloc in 1989, 9/11 and the Covid pandemic. The world will be different a year from now.