Spring is sprung, look lively.
It’s a busy time in the Village. The birds
are eating for six, getting ready for nesting, the squirrels are stealing the
bird food, and the pigeons are hanging out in the owl box! There is an intruder
in the veggie patch; a subterranean intruder which is very mouse-like and who I
wish would just pack up and go before I have to dispatch him. I have given him
warning that if he is still around when the pea shoots and broad bean shoots
arrive, he will be sent packing. He will not eat my precious harvest this year.
The Woods are lively too. A herd of deer stalks the woods. It wouldn’t
be so bad if they just stood quietly and watched us, but they wait until we get
close to them, then charge across the path, startling the Boxers. They are good
though and a stern ‘Leave!’ usually does the trick.
We have a new walk-mate. We heard the
familiar mewing last week and since then have seen the Buzzard returning to its
roost each evening. Spectacular. I wish I could photograph birds. My little
point and click camera is useless for that. And anyway, I’d have to make sure
the Boxers stood dead still too…
The Stalker Cat has been out the last few
evenings. Frank is a large friendly boy, but he does rather lie in wait for the
Boxers as they go out for their late night tinkle. The little big dog has a
very deep bark, sorry neighbours, but if it wasn’t for your cat…
There’s a new farm shop in the next
village, selling their own free range pork, poultry and eggs. We enjoyed our
visit to the farm at the weekend, and had a lovely drive from Puttenham over to
Tilford for lunch. Puttenham Common is a fantastic place for dog walking. I
prefer the top car park, the views are splendid and the sunsets are glorious.
It is a vast estate, popular with dog walkers, ramblers, horse riders and bird
watchers. The Tarn car park next to the
lake is a beautiful spot for anglers.
We had a lovely lunch at The Donkey (reviewed here); two
gorgeous rescued donkeys hee-hawed happily in the Sunday sunshine. Sadly, the
Boxers couldn’t come with us. Dogs are welcome but we were with friends and it
wasn’t convenient. They did enjoy their sunset walk in the woods though, and a
snooze afterwards in front of the fire. The evenings are still a bit chilly,
and I’m still keeping tender plants under cover. The garden, though is ready
for Spring, buds everywhere and lots of colour. Such a wonderful time of year
for humans, dogs and wild life.