How do you know it’s summer in England? No not because the sun is shining. Because it’s raining! It really is almost that predictable.
We’re on holiday for a couple of weeks at present; a badly needed break. Unfortunately we failed in our attempts to go away because we were unable to find anyone to feed the cats (none of our 3 cat feeders is available, nor is our local cattery; they’re all on holiday too!). So we’re staying home and trying to go out for days. But it’s raining! – nice steady summer rain which looks set for the day.
The two top things we want to do are go to London Zoo (I’ve not been since I was a child) and go to Kew Gardens. Both are largely outdoors. Which ain’t too much fun when it’s peeing down with rain. There are few things more miserable, in my mind, than being out for the day in the rain.
At least the rest of the week looks good. Meanwhile we’re at home doing a few odd jobs around the place and not much else.
Update, 1735 hrs. And it is still raining; don’t think it’s stopped all day! We’ve spent the day pottering about and clearing out all the old toot from our wardrobes.
Today being logical May Day in the UK (ie. public holiday on first Monday in May rather than on May Day itself) I thought we’d have a picture of actual May Day. This was the view through my study windows on May Day: bright evening sun, dark cloud and apple blossom.
Heron … bastard … just been at my pond … thrown one large goldfish on the lawn … fish still alive and replaced in pond … might survive … rest OK as far as I can see … heron returned after 15 minutes … seen off by locals crows … I like crows … I also like herons and fish … but not together!
No matter how bizarre a vertebrate is, it receives only three types of incoming sensory data: chemical (smell and taste), electromagnetic (light, and electric and magnetic fields) and movement (touch and sound).
I’d never quite looked at it this way before, but of course it is right. The only bit I don’t understand is what organ we use to detect electric and magnetic fields. Maybe we don’t. Maybe this is the preserve only of pigeons, which have been shown to have lodestone like sensors in their brains. Interesting though.
I found this today on a rose bush in the garden; the first one I’ve seen; I’m pretty well certain of the ID. Not the best of pictures I’ve ever taken.
The Harlequin Ladybird is a recent arrival in the UK and it is spreading from the SE. It is a pest: it is aggressive, spreads quickly and predates other ladybirds rather than following their example and eating aphid. More information at www.harlequin-survey.org and www.ladybird-survey.org. Yes, I have submitted a report to the survey.
And now one has a dilemma. Do I destroy the beasticle on the basis that it is a pest, or do I let it go free rather than risk damaging my karma?
The Berberis in our garden looking stunning in the Spring sunshine. It’s been in flower like this for at least the last week. It’s bee heaven too. You really need to see this full size on Flickr!
Eccentric looks at life through the thoughts of a retired working thinker
