Bright.

While not that hot it has been a pleasantly sunny day. This morning I spotted a pair of blue tits here for the first time. They were in the front garden acer feeding I presume upon aphids and other small insects. Hoping to encourage them I was going to fill a feeder with fresh peanuts and hang it in the acer. But could I find that half bag of bird peanuts? Not a chance. I searched through all the kitchen cupboards, and there aren't that many of them, several times. Then I searched again this time climbing on a chair to check the plastic storage boxes on top of the cupboards as well as go through the cupboards again. I had to give up in the end. Possibly the peanuts have already been packed for the move. Instead I hung a seed filled feeder in the acer.

Today I went out shopping, first to Lidl's. There the shelves were a little sparse in places but everything was there. I did a generous shop with the hope that I don't need to go out again for 10 days or even 2 weeks when the risk of infection will be greater. After much condemnation of 'panic buying' it turns out that apart from a few selfish people the main reason for the empty shelves we were faced with at the start of the pandemic was simply every shopper adding one extra of the popular items to their shopping. A sensible response to the advice we were getting to prepare to self-isolate for two weeks if we had symptoms that might be corona.

With just a couple of things to get from Tesco's I was looking forward to a gentle browse and check out any plant bargains. When I got there I was greeted by a queue (below) that went from the front entrance, around the side …... 

……. down the side (the photo below continues on from the right hand side of the photo above) and the same again to the far corner of the building. Too long for just a few items. Instead I got back in the car, filled up with petrol and drove over to Asda. No queue at all there though the security guard said sometimes there was a queue and sometimes there wasn't. Inside Asda a number of the more frequented aisles were part of a one-way system marked by arrows on the floor. I got the rest of my shopping and a few bargains. There wasn't a lot of wholemeal bread left but I got one loaf which was all I needed. The bargains were 5 spools of gold curling ribbon at 10p each and 2 nice quality red party tablecloths for 20p each. They would be very handy for wrapping extra large parcels.

Anticipating the opportunity to photograph the pink Harvest moon it is disappointing to see the sky filling with clouds. But for once the evening light is reflecting off the sea in the far distance, a rare occurrence.

Sunny.

Sunny again today but with the wind changing direction quite a bit cooler.

I had to go into town again to pay a bill at the bank and also to visit the pharmacy. We've always made a point of paying for work as soon as it's been done and an invoice issued. I think it's especially important now with people's incomes affected by the lockdown. Peter had checked when the bank would be open, 10.00 - 2.00, so I was a little shocked to find the doors firmly closed. Luckily I looked a bit further along and found a side door open with members of staff waiting to help. I was pleased to see that inside there were plastic screens to protect the staff. Waiting outside on the pavement was this lovely dog with its soft toy (not a puppy) also wearing a red collar. On the way home I swung by BJ's hoping that as they also sell some food and pet supplies they might be open but they weren't. I'm still waiting to buy us a couple of sunloungers.

Back home Peter mowed our lawn and a large portion of the communal grass. At the same time I trimmed the blob bush. I used my deadheading scissors rather than shears in order to avoid cutting off the tiny white flowers sitting just below the new growth. That took quite a time during which I had a long chat with my neighbour's daughter as she sat outside. It was interesting hearing about her recent travels in NZ ansd Asia. 

Looking out of the kitchen window yesterday I saw a wren having a dust bath on the flat top of a hefty fence post at the end of the garden. By the time I got my camera to a viewpoint from Peter's study she had gone but a pair of blackbirds were in the back garden. The male bird kept appearing from the ivy growing over the side fence. I wonder if they have a nest there? They wouldn't be in any danger from housebound Speedy but there are other cats around. (Haven't seen Fluffy Cat for a very long time.) 

The latest numbers of Covid patients at the hospital has increased to 13. Personal face masks - I've drawn out the paper pattern and cut the fabric for my first face mask. I was going to sit in the sun and hand sew but ran out of time today.

Animal Antics.

A lovely sunny day with strong warm winds. In our sheltered back garden it was toasty hot, perfect for a bit of sunbathing which we did for not too long mindful of the high UV levels. On the radio today's official temperature high was 20C/68F.

I woke so early this morning that I started my exercises while it was still dark. I could tell the night had been warm because although I'd inadvertently left the window open overnight the room was comfortable warm. As the sky lightened I was serenaded, not so much by the dawn chorus but by a virtuoso performance from a single blackbird. A bit later on when I went into the kitchen I saw that the blackbird must have been responsible for yesterday's plant pot vandalism. While I didn't catch him in the act today he was close enough to the scene of the crime to be the main suspect. 

Looking out of the back windows I saw beautiful pink sunrise clouds with the colour reflected in the clouds over the sea. I know I often post this view but I like how the morning light lit up the new green leaves on the trees.

Later on into the morning I went up to my study to find Speedy leaning right out of the window watching a tabby cat walking in the neighbours' garden. I pulled the window to, then went down to shoo the cat out of our garden before it used the grass as a toilet. By the time I got outside there was no sign of the cat but more disturbingly when I went back upstairs there was no sign of Speedy and the window was wide open again! We searched the house before coming to the conclusion that Speedy had jumped out of the window. He wasn't in the garden but when I walked down the path whistling him up he appeared from the tabby cat's garden. I checked him over but couldn't see any signs of damage which was a big relief not to mention the vet's fees for a Sunday call-out. 

Having got out of the window once Speedy was clearly ready to jump again. Not wanting to risk any more of his nine lives I fitted a screw hook under the window sill and tied a cord from that to the window latch. Speedy was not impressed. 

I decided to treat Speedy to some outdoor time while I sat in the sun so I put his lead on and hooked it under the leg of my chair. All went well until Speedy decided to try and leap over the wall by way of the side table, my arm and a large mug of tea. Luckily the tea wasn't hot but I did get soaked. No surprise that Speedy was put back indoors after that.  Besides enjoying the sun and securing the window I had an ironing session with the washing that had dried in no time at all. 

Garden Mystery.

A bright and sunny day today and with the winds changing direction it has been hot especially out of the wind. Right now, squinting hard I can just about make out a few wisps of cloud in the bright blue sky.

Looking out at the back garden this morning I could see compost scattered across the decking. 

A close inspection revealed a thoroughly dug up plant pot with compost flung far and wide. I'm guessing a bird maybe a blackbird, dug through the compost for insects or woodlice. It hasn't rained for a long time so I'm starting to water the plants in pots.  

It's been a good day for washing which dried quickly, has been ironed and is back on the bed. Once all the household jobs had been done I decided to do some more weeding in the front garden. While working I listened to the sounds of children and adults chattering in their gardens or on the grass. One of the dads mowed half of the communal grass and Peter is planning to do the rest maybe tomorrow. The dad then set up a kiddies football goal and kept his children busy shooting goals and playing generally. I can still hear the mums chatting from their gardens. 

It sounds like we will soon be encouraged/told to wear face masks when outside. More to provide protection for others from any germs we breathe out than to protect ourselves. I've already looked up patterns to make fabric face masks and had planned to start today but it was too nice to stay inside. There seems to be a consensus that surgical face masks should be reserved for medical personnel and the general public should wear fabric masks which can be washed and reused. I've heard today that despite instructions to stay home some people are still trying to visit the area often with caravans and campers. The police are stopping them and sending them back home thank goodness. 

A Trip to Town.

Fairly sunny today with a chill wind.

I had to collect our prescriptions and as council parking charges have been lifted for the time being I drove down and parked in the cattle market car park. When we first moved here there was a weekly cattle market here on Fridays and the car park would have been full of trailers and tractors. Nowadays Castle Mound, the motte of a motte and bailey castle dating back to 1086 looks down on cars belonging to shoppers. 

The High Street was almost empty with people making sure they kept 6ft away from each other. I felt sad to see some very elderly people, I counted 6, still out and about. When I got to Boots (the chemist) I was asked to wait outside until a shopper came out. I think they were letting in about 4 or 5 people for the pharmacy and the same for the shop. Lines were marked on the floor, both inside and out of the shop to show where to stand at the safe spacing. At the pharmacy counter plastic screens protected the staff and there was a physical barrier about 3ft from the counter to prevent you getting too close. I had taken the precaution of writing out our details; names, address and medications so that I could hand over the list and not have to shout it out. For once the pharmacy was fully staffed and they were even answering the phone. Normally there are about two people serving and the phone is never answered. There was a variety of personal protection amongst the pharmacy staff. One girl had none, several wore latex gloves, one had a surgical facemask but no gloves and one had gloves and a plastic visor. Out in the street I saw several people with face masks and gloves and a few more with gloves.

As well as picking up our prescriptions I went to the butcher to get some meat for my friend who is self isolating and some for Peter who much prefers the local butcher to the supermarket. Then to Iceland for milk and blueberries for us and bananas for my friend.

I dropped off her shopping at my friend's house and had a chat from outside her garden gate. Then home where Peter opened up the doors for me and turned on the tap so that once my gloves were binned I could wash my hands. We're not going as far as washing or wiping down the shopping as we unpack but might have to rethink that if or should I say when the virus reaches North Devon. I think it's safe to say that the virus doesn't remain after 72 hours so dry goods could be left for that long before being unpacked.

And yes, I decided to use up the rest of the hair dye which is what I think I've ended up doing before and now my hair has more of a 'summer spent in the sun' look rather than just  'I've been on holiday'. The daft thing is I don't go round with my hair down and usually have it tied back and under a head wrap to keep the hair off my face.

Home Hairdressing.

Greyer, cloudier and colder today. That wouldn't have stopped me from working in the garden but various twinges were reminders to take things slowly. Last year's nasturtiums left many seeds in the compost when I pulled up the old plants. I didn't remove them thinking 'They'll be nice for the new owners'  ha! events intervened. Instead I shall watch them grow myself.

Most of my afternoon was spent messing about with a box of hair dye/bleach. What I'm really waiting for is for the natural lightening of my fringe (above) to extend over all my hair. For the time being I'm encouraging the process with a bit of home hair bleaching. It's only gone a bit lighter, more of an 'I've been on holiday in the sun.' look but even though I only used about half of the solution I really can't be asked to go through all that faffing about again. Also I haven't quite got the hang of taking a selfie.  

Once again the day hasn't been long enough for everything I'd like to do. I've been playing the paino more and I really should get back to learning the guitar which I've let slide recently.

Chilly.

A frosty morning and generally colder today with even more clouds.

Still no rain so once the usual routine was done I carried on with digging out celandines from the front garden. I'm just clearing them from around the campanulas and hardy geraniums to let them grow unhindered. Also bright yellow clashes horribly with purples and pinks. I'm limiting myself to one bucketful of weeds a session so that I don't overdo things. Note my specialist weeding tools, a table fork and long thin screwdriver. 

As the lockdown continues more people are being made redundant and businesses closing down despite the promise of money from the govt. to cover 80% of the wages of employees put into furlough. That however will be going through the employers and not until the end of April which is too long a wait for many people. So many people must be really worried as it's always been said that most people are only one or two months' pay checks away from homelessness. With the 'austerity' that has been imposed on us for the last 10 years it has been almost impossible for anyone to make significant savings. I feel so grateful that for us our only worries are for the health of our friends and family and taking every measure to prevent infection. We have sufficient food and medication, a warm home, ways to keep in contact with family and sufficient exercise equipement to work on our fitness.