The sun shines on the sycamore in the corner of the Churchyard with a certain glow at dusk.
It reminds me of the trees that border the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Sydney Opera House
The ones that are filled with chattering flying foxes at Dusk
The sycamore is devoid of wildlife but the glow on its bark is the same as the one I remember from Oz.
I love this part of the day
My sister had visited when I was at work and had filled more terracotta plants with geranium, pinks and annual colourfuls. All gifts for my birthday .
The planters look lovely .
I watered them all and my existing planters in the front garden , the ones filled with hydrangeas, hostas and mock orange.
It a relaxing pastime after working all day.
I had baby oak trees in the car , a gift from a girl at work and I watered them too. I will plant them in a suitable place in the village .
It’s almost quarter past nine and I’m disappointed that the bats are not out yet, but that fox is barking again
And the dogs are all straining on the back of the trendy couch in the vain hope of seeing something
Beautiful writing again, John. I can see it all in my mind's eye. The planters will look gorgeous when they all bloom. Oak trees are one of the best trees for supporting wildlife. The village will be a magnet for all the local fauna, with the pond as well. I have one solitary bat that swirls round my house. There must be more, but I only ever see one. I don't know why some people are scared of them. xx
ReplyDeleteWe had one loose in our bedroom once and I caught it in a pair of underpants
DeleteFunnily enough, I once had one in my bedroom too. Opened the window wide, shut the door and it eventually found its way out. One of my cats was going crazy outside the room! xx
DeleteI noticed yesterday that there was suddenly an unusual abundance of baby oak trees - I think there were more acorns last autumn - My uncle had saplings in pots which his young ranger friend planted in a woodland after he moved on x 🐿
ReplyDeleteIf anyone has spare acorns please send me some
DeleteLovely writing.
ReplyDeleteThe flying foxes are amazing. I lived on the north shore for a couple of years and used to watch them fly to the Domain. There was a TV newsreader who used to foster foxes (he wore one in a sling contraption around his neck). I saw him in my local butcher and there was this little face peering out from the sling.
I had forgotten that memory…thanks for triggering it.
Did you listen to Granchester Meadows by pink Floyd ?
I did and I left a link to it in my comments
DeleteYou write so eloquently and heartfelt, thank you xx. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteI’m flowerly, but thank u
DeleteLove the pot of pinks! All the planters look lovely and what a wonderful birthday gift from your sister! Hope the bats made their appearance this evening, and you & the dogs have a good walk before heading to bed. Sleep well, John dear.
ReplyDeleteOh I did , 12 hours without a pee
DeleteIt is almost as if we are all quietly sitting with you. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI wish some of you were
DeleteWhat eloquent word pictures you paint with your storyteller's voice, John. Like Debby wrote, it is as if we're sitting with you. Ta.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thank you babs
DeleteYour writing portrays the essence of being surrounded by natures beauty. The bats are whizzing around behind my house because the evening is closing in and the mosquitoes are out and bats love eating the mosquitoes. Janet gave you some lovely planted pots and they look great placed on the wall.
ReplyDeleteI’ve got more coming from ann too for my birthday
DeleteA peaceful bit of calm after a busy day. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteToday has been gentle too
DeleteConnecting with nature is very healing and calming. I read that you gave Albert's food away. Don't you think that you might come upon another wayward feline in need? A home seems much cozier with a cat in residence.
ReplyDeleteNo , I’m not having a another cat for a while
DeleteI want to go on holiday this year and can’t be worried about a new kitten
What a generous gift of her time by your sister. Done with love. You are a very fortunate man.
ReplyDeleteI am indeed
DeleteSounds just lovely.
ReplyDeleteThose walls have their own beauty too. I always think so when I see them in your photos.
I’ve enrolled in a two day dry stone wall building course, in the autumn
DeleteGorgeous prose, straight from your heart to ours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Raymondo and thank you for your kind words over Albert
DeleteTo express my appreciation for what you do and say is always an unmitigated pleasure, JayGee.
DeleteOur Mock Orange is now filling the air with its perfume. It's beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh it’s delightful and is almost as beautiful as my honeysuckle around my front door
DeleteA nice relaxed evening.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Mock Orange is called Philadelphus?
Philadelphus is named after an ancient Greek king of Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
DeleteI forgot that you were such a hit in the big gay quiz Mavis x
DeleteI hope in all that straining the dogs don't push out a turd or two x
ReplyDeleteAnd then you spoil things lol
DeleteThe sweet bliss that you so beautifully describe.
ReplyDeleteI’m trying to be more mindful x
DeleteYou are so lucky to have a sister who nips and and pots up plants she knows you will enjoy all summer.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky , and they are birthday gifts
DeleteA poetic end to another Monday.
ReplyDeleteTuesday was more about radishes
DeleteI don’t think I have ever seen a bat in Toronto where I live, there are too many street lights. I saw them all the time in Grenada where they used to hang out in a tree right beside where my boat would be hauled out. the bats would cover my boat with poop. I loved watching the bats flying at night. Your new flower pots are so pretty, lucky you.xx GG
ReplyDeleteOurs circle the street lights in search of insects
DeleteIt's lovely that you notice so many sweet details of the life going on around you and you share them with us! It's a gift you have to pay close attention to everything! :)
ReplyDeleteI’ve always sat and watched
DeleteThat’s why I love Welsh terriers so much, they do the same
Speaking of bats, fruit bats roost over the vats in one of the rum distilleries in Grenada and they poop into the vats. I guess that is what gives the rum its distinctive flavour. They ave been making the rum the same way for over 100 years. GG
ReplyDeleteLol now that was interesting lol
DeleteYou and Weaver have such a wonderful gift for words John. The only two blogs I read every day. Jackie in Georgia USA
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie
DeleteDo what you wish to do today. Tomorrow is a new day, to do you what wish do tomorrow. AZDave in Arizona, U.S.A.
ReplyDeleteGood advice Dave …
DeleteBeautiful flowers!
ReplyDeleteNow to change the subject, do you think it’s worthwhile joining WW with just the virtual hookup? I live in the US and previously always joined the group meetings. As a yo-yo dieter that once again needs to lose weight, I’m questioning whether WW will work for me this time. Sigh. How has your experience turned out this time?
Thanks, Katie C.
Try cutting back on the carbs, Katie. My husband and I have cut out bread, potatoes, pasta and rice (and snacking between meals). I've lost 1.5 stones and he's lost 3 stones in four months. Loads of salad, veggies, fruit and protein. Tedious, but it works! Surprisingly, we don't feel hungry either. The tricky bit will be when we start to introduce some carbs again, but we've come too far to blow it now! Good luck. xx
DeleteI think it’s a great idea
DeleteI need a weekly weighin which gives me a certain structure and discipline
Yes, I need the guilt factor of a weekly weigh in and if I am paying for something, I’m more likely to stick to it until I don’t. I have never actually met my WW goal. This might be the fifth or sixth time joining. Yo-yo. Boing!
Delete-Katie C.
I have lost 35+ lbs by sticking to <200 grams carbs per day and 1500 calories. Cut out as many breads and sweets as you can.
ReplyDeleteI don’t eat bread now , nor sweet things
DeleteDidn't you have a bacon butty in a cafe not long ago?
Deletespecial occasion I do believe 🌭
DeleteOk, now I have to ask because it’s not a thing in the US. What’s a bacon butty? Anything with bacon has got to be good, right? Because, well, bacon 😋
Delete-Katie C.