Clean again

After several months of good intentions and around 4,000 miles the car finally got a wash yesterday. I had almost forgotten what colour it was underneath all that mud. It is so embarrasing when you sit for hours in a queue of traffic and people looking at you must think "what a filthy car, doesn't he have time to wash it?" Well yes, I do have time but I fill it up with other things like contemplating the garden or looking for pigeons. When I cleaned the bird tables yesterday I threw the old grain onto the lawn, brushed down the tables and added fresh. This morning there were four pigeons marching across the line in parallel fashion, just as if they were on parade. They were joined by a small flock of starlings Every so often the head of a house sparrow would bob up in the grass. I keep it long because the books say it shakes off the snow much better that way. The snow must have taken one look at my long grass this week and decided to stay further north. Apologies to those who wanted to go sledging but I am sure all those commuting in London will thank me. Come to think of it "sledging" is the term they use for a particular kind of verbal abuse in Australian cricket so you should be ashamed of yourselves. For cricketing fans out there I am sure you will have noticed that the Australians can dish it out but they can't take it.

This morning's walk with Hugh saw us both lightly dressed as the forecast was for an increase in temperature and winds from the South. Well, I think it must have come direct from the South Pole, it was certainly cold enough. To warm up we had a romp with Bonnie and the whippets (that well known Havering pop group). Still no sign of the Peregrine but the Kestrel played catch me if you can, flying from tree to tree.

Spring is here, which means we will get a few sunny days before the icy wind and frost burns back any new growth. The katkins on the hazel are full of pollen and the pussy willow buds just beginning to break open. A lovely green woodpecker this morning with blazing red head markings who scuttled round the other side of the tree trunk as soon as I got the binoculars focused.

To CazChambers - thank you for your comments. Sorry to hear you are still "icky". Have you ever thought that chocolate might be the cause?? Hope R feels better soon, in plenty of time to give you everything you want for Mothers' Day