There is a definite shift in the seasons this week. Most days we’ve woken up to heavy frosts and clear skies. It has been uplifting. The sky was so clear that we moved the telescope outside, looking at the moon and planets, in the evening. The garden was very inviting during the day too, which made for a few interesting encounters this week.
During the winter, we don’t venture out into the top of the garden to a great extent. Leaving the area past the hen house and the bird feeders relatively quiet. The wild life soon cotton on.
For instance, this week, I looked out at dusk and spotted a fox taking a short cut. This is a rare sight. Contrary to impressions, living in the countryside, the towns and cities have far more foxes than we do. I’ve encountered foxes (and cubs) on our local walks, but I’ve not seen one in the garden for over 20 years. The last time was when I caught one red handed (or is that pawed?) with one of my best laying hens in its jaws. It’s always the best laying one.
I wonder how often this one has ventured through our garden? Makes me understandably edgy for our hens.
Seasonal shift
With the season shift, this week was St David’s Day and Pancake day. First year that I’ve not made welsh cakes, as they count as a snack which we’ve cut back on. I did make pancakes to go with our Caesar salad. Felt a nod towards healthy eating.
At the weekend, I cleared the greenhouses ready to plant up in the next couple of months. I also sowed various varieties of tomato, cucumber, aubergine, peppers and basil in pots. The baby cucumbers have already pushed through the surface of their pots, which makes me excited for the shift into the growing season.
Books and crafting
I started reading Wool, this week. We watched the sci fi series Silo, which is based on the book trilogy, and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for the next series. In the meantime, Eldest and Youngest bought me the first two books at Christmas: Wool and Shift. I left a bit of a gap between watching the TV series and reading the book, so as not to jumble them up.
I’m also dipping into my Strength Training and Pilate books. The diagrams are a bit weird, but both books help me to understand the newer exercises I do in class and also improve my gym time.
Talking of which, it turns out that my love of crafting and exercise are strangely connected. Today was not the first time I’ve chatted about knitting at the gym. This morning, I was in the locker room, getting ready for my next class and found myself joining in a conversation about the best craft lights to use in the evening when knitting. I really didn’t see that coming when I signed up at the gym, but it is one of the reasons I love it. People are happy to chat.
Jumper
I’ve finally written a post about my latest, finished project. The jumper was completed before Christmas, but I was waiting for a good day to take the photos. So much love and thought put into this jumper. I hope Youngest gets plenty of use from it.
So that is my week. A bit of a bits and bobs kind of week. I’m thankful for the definite shift this week into spring. I hope it holds.
Joining in Anne’s word of the week link up.
I have loved the warmer weather and spending more time outside.
Eek! I hope the fox stays clear of your hens and your pancakes look so good with the salad!
It sounds like your gardening is going well and talking about knitting at the gym seems odd but why not. hehehe
The pancakes worked surprisingly well with the salad.
We all have felt the shift this week I think. It’s made for better moods all round hopefully. Your knitted jumper looks stunning! Well done. Hope the foxes will stay clear of the hens and happy growing season to you!
Thank you. I’m very pleased with the finished jumper
Lovely photo of the first bumble bee of the season, I haven’t seen any yet but I’m looking forward to it.
The blue skies have been amazing this week, they just lift the mood so much.
I hope your chickens will be safe from the fox, it is nice to see wildlife when out and about, but some animals you don’t want to welcome into the garden.
Yes, I hope he keeps away from the hen house. We have so many wild pheasants which are easier to reach, so hopefully they will distract him.
I am excited about the change in season. I much prefer the warmer weather and seeing flowers in bloom. How exciting to see a fox, as long as your chickens are safe of course! The jumper looks wonderful! #MMBC
It’s so rare to see a fox in our garden. My first thought was that it was a dog or deer, until it lifted its head and looked at me.
We have quite a few foxes they make a dreadful noise sometimes. I am hoping the nice weather from last week makes a quick return. I like the sound of Silo but I don’t have Apple tv. I might give the books a read. I’m currently enjoying Lost in Space and reading a sci-fi book The Other Valley. Your jumper is lovely, I’ll take a look at your other post now.
Oh, the foxes can make a racket. I really enjoyed The Other Valley. Hope you do too.
Getting your garden ready for planting is exciting. I do love spring; it’s my favorite season. I hope you have a great week! #MMBC
It’s all the anticipation for the growing year!
Love the jumper! There is fox (or possibly more than one) that trots up and down our road in the wee small hours. I’ve named it Gaspode (Terry Pratchett) because the noise it makes sounds like it’s saying BARK rather than an animal noise. I’ve had some chilli seeds germinate but that’s it so far.
Love the name for your local fox.
Sounds a character.
It is nice to feel the shift in the seasons and have some warmer weather. I agree with you at seeing more foxes in towns and cities – I see more when I’m driving through the nearest town than I do in our garden. Hope the one you saw leaves your hens alone. Lovely to be planting things and seeing the baby cucumbers starting to grow. Nice to have the social interaction and chats about crafting at the gym. I love the jumper you made for your youngest. #WotW
That’s interesting that you see more foxes in town. I guess the lure of easy bins to scavenge in is strong.
I hope your hens will be ok. We often seen a fox in our garden at night. I’m always amazed at how close he comes to the house!
#MMBC
I have a feeling that our garden is quite busy at dusk and later.