The temperature has risen quite a bit. I checked the salad garden, and yes, all the rocket and red mustard is still growing nicely.
The birds have started flocking to the bird-table every day, so the autumnal stores must be beginning to dwindle. I'm hoping that they don't start flocking to my salad patch instead, so we are well stocked up with their favourite snack food. The bird table towers above the garden at about 7 foot 6 inches. It is also roofed, huge all around, and fortified with wire, looking rather like an Army observation post. This is our the cat defence system. It works nearly all of the time, except that when the wind is exceptionally strong and blows the food out of the food containers - I have to be very quick to clear it up if this happens, but forewarned is forearmed.
The rooks and magpies take some of the food from the table, but they have to stretch a long way in to get it. The cats seem to be afraid of the big birds, who mob them - a major cat siren starts up if a seagulls appear. For some reason, the cats use the same noise for 'seagull' as they do for 'postman'. Funnily enough, the postman approaches the house with his back against the hedge, facing any cats. I suspect there might have been an incident with the biggest cat, Charlie. The postman is at a disadvantage, since he can't swoop.
The magpies have learned to pull the root-balls out of my pots to peck at slugs and grubs. A mixed blessing - great for getting rid of pests, but they occasionally turn their attention to the roots themselves!
Misty start but the sun has now burned that off and there's just some very high, streaky clouds hanging about. Good weather for walkies and bulb planting.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
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The temperature has risen quite a bit. I checked the salad garden, and yes, all the rocket and red mustard is still growing nicely.
The birds have started flocking to the bird-table every day, so the autumnal stores must be beginning to dwindle. I'm hoping that they don't start flocking to my salad patch instead, so we are well stocked up with their favourite snack food. The bird table towers above the garden at about 7 foot 6 inches. It is also roofed, huge all around, and fortified with wire, looking rather like an Army observation post. This is our the cat defence system. It works nearly all of the time, except that when the wind is exceptionally strong and blows the food out of the food containers - I have to be very quick to clear it up if this happens, but forewarned is forearmed.
The rooks and magpies take some of the food from the table, but they have to stretch a long way in to get it. The cats seem to be afraid of the big birds, who mob them - a major cat siren starts up if a seagulls appear. For some reason, the cats use the same noise for 'seagull' as they do for 'postman'. Funnily enough, the postman approaches the house with his back against the hedge, facing any cats. I suspect there might have been an incident with the biggest cat, Charlie. The postman is at a disadvantage, since he can't swoop.
The magpies have learned to pull the root-balls out of my pots to peck at slugs and grubs. A mixed blessing - great for getting rid of pests, but they occasionally turn their attention to the roots themselves!
Redditch, it's cloudy and mild, with a breeze.
Overcast , dull and mild - Lincoln
Misty start but the sun has now burned that off and there's just some very high, streaky clouds hanging about. Good weather for walkies and bulb planting.
Peasent and comforting........not hot, not very cold......didn't exceed 30, did not drop below 15. Clear sky, no wind/breeze. 50% humidity
Just love this time of the year!!?
Once the cloud and mist had burnt off it is a nice sunny day, windows open, no coat needed, very nice for December
White frost this morning, -5°
After almost two weeks of dry weather, the rain has arrived this evening. The garden needed it, but I don't - not just yet anyway.
Drismal. Damp and grey but not actually raining properly and not too cold either.