HOPE

Wednesday 16th September, 2020

I was up earlier than usual even in my new early rise regime on my silent retreat. 5.59am was on the clock. I feared turning over and going back to sleep and missing the chicken liberation movement duties of a morning. So I staggered to pat the dog, make the coffee and then out to the hen run to liberate and feed the hens. Once again they shot out of their house as if chased by a Rottweiler. And eat they did. 

I went to my new found gap in the hedge to watch the sun rise and guard against marauding and thieving mallard. The sun was, for the first time in five days, blocked by mists. It finally appeared at about 6.50am. The sky lit up but I noted the clouds which I had not seen for those five days. By 10.15am the clouds had dissipated and the sun was as warm as ever. 

Three walks today...the first to collect 5lbs of damsons from three new trees I had discovered. Then 4lbs of crab apples from another two newly discovered trees. The hedgerows were proving abundant and were as the hedgerows I remembered from my childhood. In fact I have enjoyed revisiting those hedges and noting the abundance of berries and rose hips and sloes and damsons and apples but, sadly, not as many little creatures and birds as I would have expected. 

The second walk was up the drive to the dustbins to deposit the detritus I have found on my walks. I am scandalised by the waste just dropped in to the local canal or on to its tow path or simply in fields. I must collect a couple of shopping bags full a day. 

The third walk was to pick blackberries for my breakfast tomorrow.

Apart from walks I have again watched the tortoise eat dandelions and cucumber. I have stewed the damsons and apples ready for jellifying when I can get the sugar and find the jars. I have watered the plants, fed the hens, filled the sheeps' water troughs and watched the barges pass by. I have read and I have written a few letters.

As always it has been sublime.

BUT at about 3pm the tortoise went back in to its straw lined box. The clouds began to gather, the wind became autumnal and I feared the loss of the lazy sunny days. By 6pm the clouds were a dark grey and tonight, as I write, there are no stars to be seen. I have had five days of clear skies and five nights of the same. I count my blessings and look to it snowing tomorrow!! I jest except one never knows in these days of horrendous climate change. I have heard the news and prefer not to recall it...I shall just hope.