I’ve worked the last two nights so I’m back home properly today.
I have no news apart from the fact I’ve just booked my ticket to see the lisping choir in May
That’s the excitement of the day as The Archers has just disappointed with George Grundy’s heavy handed survival and me and the Welsh have just walked the length of the dark, almost frozen lane in the moonlight.
Mary now is wearing her multicoloured cardigan, her matching Christmas Jumper, a gift from Trendy Carol now washed and pressed alongside Roger’s.
Neither dog wanted to walking into the cold
A barn owl *, Huge and not totally silent loops over the field towards the ghost of the Church, unseen by the dogs who just want to return to the fireside. It swooped over my laburnum with the sound of silk curtains being quickly drawn and then around into the stable fields then back over us with its square head looking directly at us as we slowly headed for home.
It’s freezing
What joy to be able to look forward to your May trip to see your favorite choir in the world and won't they be singing some delightful music?!
ReplyDeleteWe have several species of owls here, including barn owls that are huge!
Hope you've recovered from those night shifts, perhaps with a G&T or two?
Hugs!
It’s a hard slog
DeleteAnother lovely moment, described and shared. Good to see you are moving forward w positive plans. [I have never seen or heard a barn owl, are they huge? We do have lovely white arctic snow owls some winters.]
ReplyDeleteOne step in front of another x
DeleteYou capture the mood and the atmosphere perfectly. I was walking along with you, enjoying the dark, the company and the barn owl, whilst looking forward to the warmth and comfort of your cottage.
ReplyDeleteYour social calendar is already starting to fill up. I've no doubt there are more treats to come! xx
Thank you my friend x
DeleteHow exciting to see a barn owl; I am very jealous! I have only once seen the kind we have here in Virginia, I think smaller than yours. My kids did see one in Scotland a couple summers ago now that I think about it. Anyway, hope you have more owl excitement in your future.
ReplyDeleteCeci
It was truly magnificent
DeleteThat is a wonderful description of a frosty evening dog walk - I am just about to venture out for ours; a bitterly cold day, even more bitterly cold wind - I live on a hillside with nothing behind me but high hills and moors, and sometimes the gale blowing up through my back garden is so strong I can barely open my front gate. At least three types of owl hunting in the fields on this bright clear night seeking supper. And snow is forecast. Typical January in operation! Brr!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year Betty xx
DeleteI thought they were going to take the opportunity to get rid of horrible George. Shame.
ReplyDeleteThere’s going to be a redemption arc
DeleteI remember walking Elsie in the early morning when I heard a noise approaching me from behind. I turned, thinking I would see a bicycle or something. There was nothing, but the noise continued. I was freaked out until I looked up and saw a heron flying low overhead.
ReplyDeleteNicely remembered x
DeleteDid that owl deliver your letter from Hogwarts?
ReplyDeleteIt did my lovely friend x
DeleteThis made me laugh. Oh, how I would love to get my letter from Hogwarts. When I get my magic, there is some shit needs fixin'
DeleteIt is cold in MA too, 20 degrees F. The night air always feels colder to me. Owls are magnificent. You must have a pair. I hear they mate for life.
ReplyDeleteIt was bigger than I thought
DeleteIt’s -2 here in New York …..
ReplyDeleteI’m doing a Lego
Lee
Lol
ReplyDeleteGood job you were with the dogs or that barn owl might have had Roger for his supper. Owls love hot dogs.
ReplyDeleteI wish you a happy and health 2026. You painted a beautiful picture with your words about the walk at night. Cozy up to the fire with the dogs and stay warm.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
We had Barn Owls living in our barn in France, then when I turned it into a home I promised them that I would build them a really nice Barn Owl House all of their own. I never did, and I feel guilty.
ReplyDelete"It swooped over my laburnum" sounds like something Mrs Slocombe would say in Are you Being Served! May your laburnum be well and truly swooped in 2026 <3
ReplyDeleteLolol. Thank you! Olivia
DeleteYour writing put me right there on the walk. I could feel and hear the surroundings . Lovely. I did fear one of the dogs would be scooped up! Olivia
ReplyDeleteLucky you. I haven’t had anything swoop over my laburnum in years. I don’t even know how to find my laburnum.
ReplyDeleteWeaver might be just the meal ticket the barn owl is hunting. It is feeling like -7 in Llanelwy with the wind.
ReplyDeleteweavinfool
We've got a pair of Barn Owls living in the barn, they're beautiful, they've been here for about 3 years and the mice population on the farm has certainly diminished! We find they're virtually silent wen flying so you must have good hearing to have heard yours. As often as we see them it still feels like a piviledge.
ReplyDeleteWe stopped listening to the Archers some years back when my husband announced it was too depressing. Maybe time to start again in the privacy of my sewing room 😁
ReplyDeleteBeautiful description of the owl John!
ReplyDelete"The ghost of the church" is a wonderful turn of phrase, you could write about all of the characters that haunt Trelawnyd.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great description of the owl. I wish I'd seen it! I don't blame the dogs for not wanting to walk -- I'm staying inside myself.
ReplyDeleteBarn Owls are magical aren't they. I once had one ahead of my car the full length of our 1.5 mile driveway back to the farm. It seemed to be using my headlights to hunt by. It took all my concentration to watch the track and not the owl. I might have veered slightly off course once or twice. ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter’s house is in a wooded area and just last week she send a photo of a huge Great Grey Owl up in a tree next to her house. She said she was glad her cats were in the house. It has been very cold here, 23F with light snow this morning. I wish I had something nice to look forward to other than doctor appointments. I have two next week. I guess being 84 that is all I have to look forward to. My eyes, gut and skin are all failing me. I always thought I would live to 100 but have changed my mind. I hate being a complaining old lady. You will be thinking of your trip to see the choir again, good on you for booking early. Gigi
ReplyDeleteI felt as if I were walking along with you. Brilliant writing my friend.
ReplyDeleteIt’s hard to get motivated to walk in the cold. Been rainy and cold here, so have been missing my morning walks. Nice you saw a barn owl. I never have. Enjoy your day! Cali
ReplyDeleteI am imagining walking through the dark as you did, the owl swooping along. Beautiful. I hope you bundled up well. And I never heard of laburnum, so I looked it up, beautiful but deadly, I guess.
ReplyDeleteAnd once again I was walking beside you as you described your walk and sighting of the owl, the doggos all dressed up in their finery and the warm cottage awaiting. Write the book John!
ReplyDelete