AJ found this toad while hunting for beetles. He has literally made the most luxurious toad home just outside the kitchen door. He has dug out a hollow under stones left over from some building work. I can stand on the kitchen door step and reach the stones. He is very close and, previously, unnoticed. There are lots of places for slugs and snails to hide among the discarded stones. I should think it is lovely hunting ground.
We do well for toads in the garden. From previous posts and my obsession of taking photos of snails, it is evident that we have a lot of snails and slugs in the garden. Our soil is rich with worms. I should think that it is perfect pickings for a toad. There are plenty of old stone walls for a toad to hide away in during the day. We try and leave areas for them. We try and take care of them. Sometimes in unintentional ways.
When we first moved to the house, our one and only bathroom was downstairs. The bath’s waste pipe went out of the wall and ended about 2 inches above a drain. Before alarm sets in, this only transported the water from the bath and the sink. There was another, more discreet pipe for the toilet. One night I was giving little AJ a bath. As I rinsed the bath around before filling the bath, I remember thinking that the water was not flowing away fast.
Bath was run. Bubble bath added. Toddler washed and clean. I pulled the plug and nothing happened. It was blocked. This is an old house and although frustrating, I have learnt to expect these hiccups. I wrapped AJ in a towel and walked outside to see what was blocking it. We got there just in time to see a toad fall out of the pipe and sit on the drain cover. With the blockage dislodged, the water came rushing out. This poor toad was now having a tepid, soapy shower. I don’t know if it was shocked or enjoying the shower, but it did not move. Fortunately, dh arrived home at that moment and moved the toad up to the rhubarb patch. It was a very clean toad.
I met the toad again a few nights later, as it was coming out of my greenhouse. There was a definite smell of lavender.
I’m pretty sure that, the one we found today, is a different one. The toad shower happened almost seven years ago. The bathroom has been moved, so no chance of another shower, I’m afraid. Have a slug instead.
Imagine if Beatrix potter had heard this story!
I’m sure there would be a lot of wringing of leggings and flapping of waistcoats. Maybe an aversion to all things lavender scented.
Love re-reading her books to the children. She has one of my childhood favourite authors. I know not everyone enjoys her, but I longed to be able to draw and paint like her, and write like her.
love those toads, they are definitely a favorite around here.
sweet pictures!
We seem to have more toads than frogs. It’s always magical when we find one.
That is a great story! Love the Toad :0)
Thanks, Val. It’s a family favourite especially with AJ.
A very handsome chap. We do get frogs in the garden occasionally but I’ve never seen a toad. Thanks for answering the jam related questions, I’ll let you know how things go.
We used to have lots of frogs. I’m not sure why they have disappeared. Hope the jam making goes well.
He’s a beauty. I love all things in the garden. We have dozens of frogs, but I’ve only seen one toad. He lives in a hole under the wall. Cliche!
Its always a thrill when you find one of these little fellows.