COLD GARDENING

Dawn in different guises from here on the hill looking over the bay. Recently we have had a few spectacular sunrises. We do not get sunsets as we face south south east but sunrises - ! Especially at this time of year.

The garden has been frozen solid at times which limits what can be done (If I had the will to do it.)

This begs a question - we have two outside taps and how do you avoid avoid icing up? You can use foam tubing or, as we have, wrapped them with the netting our birches came in a few years ago. Something else kept in case it might be useful one day - the shed is full of stuff like that.

The pond has been frozen though rain by Tuesday night has signalled slightly warmer weather. It is important to keep some clear water for birds and animals, let alone things that live in the depths. Work is mainly getting some salt onto the track and brushing any snow away from the back door, picking up fallen sticks in the wood for kindling.

The squirrels continue to materialise from somewhere and eat peanuts from the feeders. A friend has had both great and little white egrets on his pond (well it is more like a small lake) which does make us a bit jealous.

There are still things to see in the garden - sunshine, albeit watery, on the stipa gigantea and the wonderful white bark on the birches at the top of the lawn. (The lawn is what I call the vaguely mown meadow we have - R says it is just roughly cut grass.)

This photo really gives the sense of chill we have had - D down in her cottage has the fire lit - and I am not surprised.

So I need to get off my backside given half the chance, mulch and tidy (or the other way around), pot on some stuff, make a new flowerbed, etc etc.

Meanwhile a mug of tea by the wood burner I think.