As I was putting the seedlings into a sheltered spot yesterday evening, to protect them from the cold temperatures overnight (fortunately no frost), I noticed a lovely effect on the heron that stands under our birch tree. A ray of sunlight was hitting its chest and with the vivid greens of the new leaves, it was all very lovely.
Today, although still colder than it has been (thanks to that pesky east wind), has been sunny and bright and we could do things. John has been gardening all day. This morning I ventured into the metropolis to get my prescription filled and to get the fixings for the gazebo cover (remember that?). There were more people around than I've seen for ages other than at markets, with a mix of wearing and not wearing masks. The pharmacy wasn't so bad, but the shop where I got my fixings was very much in newly opened mode. There was hydroalcoholic gel as you went in and they wanted people to take a basket too - I think I was the only one that did.
The lady in the haberdashery department can be a bit dour, but was delighted to be working, delighted to talk to people (at a distance), and also seemed pleased to not be asked for elastic and bits for making face masks. When I explained what I was doing (she was surprised to be asked for 6 metres of Velcro), she was even more enthusiastic - it was a good shopping experience.
This afternoon I was able to get down to more spud planting, although I did have helpers. As the first 20 are well up, I need to press on with this. I got 10 planted today, and worked out where to rob some wider weed suppressant mat from, as the only stuff we found since lockdown started was 90cm wide, which only takes 1 row of spuds.
Once that was done, I went on a bee orchid hunt. They are getting going in the wildflower meadow but are well hidden among the clover and the other wild flowers. They will doubtless become boring over the next few weeks.
Tomorrow is market day, with many restrictions lifted. It will be nice to see some stall holders that have not been allowed in up to now, as well as keeping the faith with those who have kept us fed over the 55 days of lockdown. It will also be nice NOT to worry about being stopped and fined on the way there or back, as some have been. I was lucky it appears.
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