Autumn

Thursday 18th September, 2020

I was slightly surprised and quite delighted to wake to a clear sky. The weather forecast last evening and the heavy grey clouds made me expect a lacklustre day. It has been perfect except two signs of Autumn: the sun rises later and later and the breeze is noticeably colder. A few leaves on the trees change but not yet distinctly.

Chickens wildly scrambled out. I watched the sunrise in pyjamas having patted the dog. I went back to have coffee and the dog seemed hungry so I fed her. Then back to bed. The usual ruminations and orisons and thoughts of friends and those suffering. I count my blessings also...I am not a pious goody goody but just a man like all others. I try to live a good life. I try to honour my principles and my heritage. I try to forgive others and myself.

My first walk at 8am. I decided to return to the sheep free field of damson trees of yesterday. Within the last 24 hours the gate, open yesterday, was hammered and nailed firmly shut. No sheep but something must have concerned the farmer. So no return and thanks offering to the damson and apple trees. The Tortoise was stirring so I picked dandelions and spread them like a garland before a Hindu God outside his hut. Also some peeled cucumber.

So the day unfolded. Four changes of note. First I have never mentioned the Pygmy goat. He and three of his companions were to be slaughtered some eight years ago as the owner was moving in to a town house and could find no one to take them. She advertised on a post card in her local post office. A friend of the owners of the place in which I am noticed it. She conveyed the news to the tender hearted owner and all four came to reside here. Three have since died and the Pygmy lives with the sheep and they seem to have adopted him as one of their own....an example to us all.

Secondly I decided to clean out the sheep's water troughs. Well, two of the three. A scrubbing brush and a lot of elbow grease and twenty minutes has brought them back to a pristine condition. Do the sheep know or notice or care? Irrelevant as I do. I was taught not to seek praise and that public acclamation and thanks are irrelevant to the import of the deed itself.

Third on my evening walk I went along to the fourth bridge on the canal. The bridges were contemporaneous with the building of the canal. They allowed the farmers to cross between their fields. I crossed it into an open field where a Canada goose squatted forlornly alone. I crossed to the far corner and walked along the hedgerow...and, yes, another damson tree. It is laden with fruit. I have picked enough for jellies so I picked a few and ate them. They were as ever delicious.

Fourth and most spectacularly: on my first walk I was standing on the third bridge looking down the near straight mile of canal pondering on life. A wondrous noise and I watched as one adult swan was followed by five cygnets learning to fly. They gave it a 'hell of a shot' and I was deeply proud of them. My only sadness is that I know swans mate for life...where is the adult mate? I have looked for him/her but no sign.

Now it is evening. All are fed apart from me. I await a local farmer coming to deliver sugar and to take my letters to the post. I feel tired, my limbs worn out by exercise. Last night I had a hot bath but tonight after the chickens are locked in and the dog given her last short stroll I shall to bed. And I will remember a good dear friend whose funeral Requiem I watched live on my iPad this afternoon. She really was generous and kind and will, I am certain, be clapped in to heaven. May she rest in peace.