Ten days on

The walks with the dogs around the farm these days are taking so much longer as we sniff (not me but the dogs) and stop in awe and wonder at our absolutely stunning surroundings. Everything is looking so full of promise and so very, very green - that nice, special, fresh, green that you only see with new shoots in the Spring.

The ducks on the lake at the back are all pairing up, and the mallard drakes and the cock pheasants are all looking very splendid indeed as they try and catch the eye of a female partner. And as for the bird song, it seems louder and clearer than ever. Fabulous.

Not being in a hurry and without any time pressures has meant that much more of our surroundings come under scrutiny by both this lonely walker and dogs Hattie and Dizzy. Everyday, something different either prompts greater thought, imagination and frequently investigation. The other morning I imagined that some clumps of stinging nettles were frantically waving at me as their leaves waved manically in the wind ! And actually it was rather a nice image, to think that in the midst of all this peace and quiet these little stingers were actually glad to see a walker out and about. Nuts I know! But Hey Ho!

With the boathouse now being shut for ten days we are very much missing the marina team - so tonight we are having a virtual get together thanks to Zoom. Technology is not second nature to this writer, but we will give it a jolly good crack - and report back. The only prerequisite is that everyone must have a joke up their sleeve, and a drink in their hand. It should be fun and bring some much welcomed light to this self isolation.

All in all, the past ten days have gone amazingly fast, let us just hope that everyone continues to pull together and we get through this crisis quickly, and emerge stronger, kinder and an improved human race. One thing is for sure 2020 will cetainly be known as the year that changed the world and humankind as we have known it.