A Photo a Day
18th to 25th April 2021
Yes, coffee is what I rely on. I have no vices left except decent coffee and swearing. That’s it. So, if the coffee machine goes on the blink I know I’m in trouble, although it does increase the swearing.
Luckily, although it threatened a terrible, terrible day, I realised it just needed descaling and I had enough vinegar in the house to do it, so the day was saved.
I spotted a Frittilaria meleagris all by itself in the shade in front of the doctor’s surgery. Its name comes from the ‘fritillus’ which is a Roman dice box. The chequered markings on the flower resemble the parallel indentations in the fritillus which are there to give a better spin to the dice. It is also known as the snake’s head fritillary and the chequered daffodil.
Rushing past the sitting room I spotted that the floor lamp was on fire. I came to a skidding halt and frantically back-peddled to deal with it.
It wasn’t on fire. Nor was the light on.
The glass bowl of the lamp shade, at a certain time of day, catches the sun that sneaks in over the curtains.
I make sure to check it every day, now, because it looks wonderful. A bowl of sunlight.
I go up to the top floor every day and remove something as part of my ongoing effort to clear the house of the enormous amount of ‘stuff’ in it. I always hop into the dormer window and look out. To my right I used to be able to see hills, but those horrible flats (in the background) were built a few years ago on part of the cricket ground. Not only are they ugly but there is no longer a view in that direction.
The tall things with bent necks that you can see are two of four — they are super-industrial lights that were erected for international cricket that plays long into the night. There was local uproar when they went up. I prefer them to the horrible flats, though — they look as if they uproot themselves under cover of darkness and go for a wander in order to then report back to their alien overlords.
I love spring beech leaves! These were in a hedge grown around a garden we passed when Doggo and I were out walking.
There is nothing quite as fresh as fresh beech leaves.
The Noble Defender of Property (TNDoP) has to be on the alert 24/7 from intruders. These two, above, are constantly trying to get past the defences of TNDoP’s domain. They are relentless, and remorseless. But TNDoP will defend us until his last breath. (Or until supper-time.)
It’s worthy of mention this week because he’s usually unable to get into the garden-proper by a fence and gate especially put up to prevent him — somehow, the gate was open this morning — eek! — major panic as he suddenly realised there was nothing to stop him except my ability to shriek more loudly than him in my terror as I envisaged him getting through the trellis and out and away, but thankfully, this disaster was averted.
The ivy-leaved toadflax is another favourite of mine. It will grow everywhere, in country and in city. It’s like catching sight of an old friend whenever we go for a walk.
We wish you all a fabulous, and safe, seven days over this coming week!
A Photo a Day for last week:
