The sun shone all morning and there was a hint of Spring in the air.
Mr Toad…not a real toad, you understand…caught the rays of the late winter sun and looked quite animated.
Spring is officially welcomed into the west of Ireland on February the 1st, Imbolc, Brigid’s day.
I would not be surprised to see it arrive early!
Certainly here at Bealtaine Cottage, the Daffodils are ready to open flower and Primroses are out.
Clearing the polytunnel formed part of this morning’s work, one of the first dry, sunny mornings in some time.
This involved scraping the weeds off the paths and composting them.
Then the top layer of last year’s straw was cleared from the topsoil and spread on the beds. it doesn’t take long and the result is worth the small effort.
I use an Oscillating Hoe, which although expensive to buy is a great investment, as it saves a lot of hard work.
The winter has been mild and most of the herbs in the tunnel have kept their leaves, with Fennel beginning to grow already and broccoli making a good show.
The garden took on a mantle of life in the sunshine and the birds all appeared to be very lively.
A beautiful fox has made an appearance over recent nights and even sauntered along the front of the cottage in broad daylight yesterday morning.
I think it’s a vixen as I hear her calling at night from the hill of Ballyfermoyle behind the cottage.
Meanwhile, indoors, Sam continues to eat, drink, play and sleep.
I make sure that little Flo stays in the lodge with Sam and Che, as being white furred and young, could fall prey to a very beautiful but hungry fox.
I lost a beautiful marmalade mouser called Ossian to the fox some years ago and it was a dreadful experience.
Flo is very territorial and chases all comers!
Jack, as you can see, is very hen-pecked by Flo…he always gives in!
