How are we all doing ?

Thank you Denby for your kind post.You and H have always been so supportive and it means a lot to me.John can’t go camping any more as he cannot get up from any low surfaces.He cannot get up from my sofa without help now.I remember Mum writing a really poignant letter describing John trying to get up from the floor when we sent in letters for his appeal.I’m so glad we did as he was successful and got to keep his car.I heard back from the solicitor and she is waiting for a reply from the auctioneer as there are discrepancies in the finances.I should be having a treat today a haircut at long last.We have had a lovely mobile hairdresser since 2004 and I’m looking forward to seeing her.We had rain last night but the grass is still yellow.Love to all Jane xx

Hooray,had an E mail from the archivist at Bath and they are happy to take mum’s papers and arrange collection so I will write back after lunch.Lovely to see the hairdresser too though it feels odd to have short hair again.It will be nicer in the heat though and easier to manage.I’m so relieved about the papers as it was mum’s wish that they went there.Love to all Jane x

IBeen gardening this morning witn the robin for company.B.T are sending out an engineer later to look at the internet problem.Still got mountains to do indoors but on the final push to get the house ready to go on the market.Love to all Jane xx

What a dear bird Jane! Reminds me of holidays at my grandparents. At 11 o'clock we had to stand statue still in the doorway of the kitchen, while my gran sprinkled the regular crumbled digestive biscuit on the mat in the centre. The back door having been hooked open all day, the robin would hop in and have his elevenses before we had ours. He was used to my gran but not to us, hence being still. Magical. If anyone would like to help save such wildlife, please consider looking on Clowne Garden Village facebook [public, you don't need to belong] and there is a link to a 38 degrees petition. Residents have posted a lovely video there of a robin taking food from the hand.

When the dandelion clocks were all over our 'no mow May' grass we had goldfinches feeding on the seeds! Anytime I'm feeling stressed, I just take myself for a circuit of the garden, looking to see what's going on, tadpoles in the pond, green plums developing on the tree, I suppose this is a kind of mindfulness. Works anyway.

Denby

Hi Denby,It is a delightful tame bird and was by me for 4 hours yesterday along with the male blackbird.I shall miss this garden so much.Nature is so healing.I always feel better for a walk down the garden.Love Jane xx

A better photo of it here.I can hardly walk today my back is so painful.Must have been all the bending yesterday though it’s been worse since  I fell.John is in agony with his back too as they put him on statins which caused his muscle condition to worsen.He has stopped them now but still in pain.There must be an alternative medication he can have to reduce his risk of heart attack or stroke.We are a pair of crocks.Heard the crowd at Glastonbury singing along to Elton John from the balcony last night.xx

Nature works for me too Jane, never fails to lift my heart. Love your robin story Denby, and how lovely to have had goldfinches feeding in your garden. On sunday a huge swarm of bees like a big black cloud passed over my garden where I was sat on a deck chair, and hovered over the stable yard. Looked like they were scouting out a place to land. As you might imagine I was scooting round shutting windows and doors when suddenly there was dramatic swallow attack!, From nowhere they appeared swooping and criss crossing around bees. They were like an RAF air display.  Hooray for the home-guard swallows since it encouraged bees to move on over my neighbour's house and settle in her cheery tree. I love bees but I don't want a swarm in my yard....that's too much nature   btw neighbour called bee-keepers association and swarm was safely collected within the hour.  

My wren which seems to have abandoned the garden and a high speed action shot of the one that got away .

Wonderful.I haven’t seen the wren lately.They like the holly at the bottom end of the garden.

It’s still really humid.I have been up and down steps painting in the upstairs bathroom and loo.My dad’s cousin Phillip has offered to come up for the day to help me.It’s really kind of him to offer and I may have to accept as I have so much to do.I feel a bit bad really as he is much older than me but relatively fit.Glad your bee swarm was resolved H.I had to have a swarm collected when I lived in Hull.They were outside and inside my bedroom.Love to all Jane xx