I have just realised that my last blog post was way back in October, so I thought that I would catch up. I tend to 'hibernate' through the dormant winter period (even though I do take extra vitamin D), with which this phase of the lockdown has coincided, but with spring on the horizon I am waking (slightly) earlier in the morning and enjoying the lengthening evenings. I think that spring must be my favourite season with its signs of new life. Even so, I am quite in awe of people who can regularly produce a new blog every week, or even every few days.
I have continued to feed the birds during the winter, and have added red millet and niger seed to their regular diet of suet nibbles and sunflower seeds. The unprotected peanut feeder is broken and they are out of stock at my usual supplier, so there is just the 'squirrel and big bird' proof one for now. As another new thing I have ordered some sultanas for March as I have read that this is a good time to spread some round the garden.
Last weekend, on the one warm day, Roy and I pruned back the large buddleia which had grown to over seven feet in height. There are also some smaller shrubs that I managed myself and also cut back the old fennel and mint growth from last year while I was at it. Indoors, I have been potting up some of the many spiderlings that have been thrown forth by the two matriarchal spider plants that are taking over the stairs window sill and I discovered a small oak sapling in the pot of the aloe vera, where I must have plunged an acorn after our collecting walk at Westonbirt Arboretum last autumn. I must pot that up separately too before its roots entwine too firmly with the aloe vera which is also growing at a rapid rate. The Sweet William seeds which I sewed in pots in the greenhouse last September have survived the winter without any watering. Also there are some shoots coming through in a pot which I planted up last autumn and which I think may be hyacinths.
Roy and I have both had our covid vaccine jabs - mine last week and his nearly three weeks ago; he had no ill effects with the AstraZenaca, whilst I had a sore arm from the Pfeizer vaccine. We now await the second booster jab, though he has been asked to go back to do some mowing for his various clients in the village and nearby. We had a National Trust cottage weekend booked, which was carried over from last year, at the end of April so I am currently trying to find out what their plans are. The original idea was that we should spend the weekend with our daughter and her boyfriend, but I think we will let them have the cottage for the weekend and perhaps drive up to spend a day with them, as we probably won't have had our second jab by then. They live in the suburbs of Manchester which has had a persistently high rate of infection since last year.
On a recent walk, among the various things spotted were this fire hydrant sign which had fallen into a small stream and a small wooden door next to the church which seemed to lead only into a field.
I have re-opened the Etsy shop, MillCottageRetro, and wait to see what will happen. Collection will be by courier as before for the time being. The current state of the pandemic is puzzling at present with some areas like ours (the south west) having reduced infection rates whilst others (the midlands) the rates are going up. I suppose it is early days yet. I have introduced a special offer on the glassware with a 'buy two get one free' deal which might help to get things moving, though I would imagine that there are many people short of money for anything other than essentials.
'Til next time,
Julie
