Day 333

Posted byThe Bald BirderPosted infamily, reptiles, weather

Tuesday 16 February

The members of the Gentlemen’s Film and Leisure Club have had a lockdown photo competition. We all submitted five snow themed photos to the group and we await the result of the jury. Not exactly sure who the jury are, but its exciting nonetheless.

Erica and Lyndon have a new lodger in their place in Italy. Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus). Probably come inside to shelter from the colder, damper weather. Their may also be a feast of moths and cockroaches available who are also attracted to the well-lit houses. So, a great lodger to have, and considered good luck in their native homes of Turkey and Cyprus. Be kind to him, both.

My sister in law has been advising me on a camera for my birthday in May. I’ve mentioned before how this year has thrown into focus [poor pun] how much I have enjoyed taking pictures of the things I see around me. Mostly of the natural world. Everything in this blog has been taken on my phone but I think I’ll step it up after the blog ends in March.

Over the past couple of weeks conversations with Stan have become quite serious. University has been the main topic but we have also talked politics (UK and US), learning to drive led on to personal liberty, social inequality and the list goes on. But our most earnest and potentially important topic of discussion has been survival-planning for a zombie apocalypse.

A soggy day today, so a picture of my incredible family last week. Precious time.

We have decided on what tools, food and weapons we would take. We know we would only be able to manage a backpack each, especially as we would have the dog (who would be wearing an adapted harness with knives and forks attached). We have even decided on what jackets we would wear (most bite resistant).

Seriously, this lockdown has given us all time to be together. And as the weeks and months pass, we get closer to Stan heading to university in September. Next year it will be Adora’s turn. We have always been a close family, but I doubt we would have spent quite this much time as just the four of us. I am grateful of this ‘enforced’ family time, especially as I heard today of a tragic situation where someone else’s family has been torn apart by a suicide. We have really gotten to know the young adults that our wonderful kids are becoming and continue to be hugely grateful for what we have.

And Adora made pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. Not just any pancakes. We are so very lucky.

Really miserable day weather-wise. Low cloud, drizzle and showers made for a soggy dog-walk. But time to do the jigsaw, read and drink tea. Not so bad.

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