I am at risk of sounding 'Jokey', at the height of this terrible pandemic, 'Covit 19', and whilst it appears that all might be lost for Homo Sapiens - with our fellow humans dying in droves throughout the world - It might seem insensitive even to try looking for something cheerful to raise a smile. It really should not be done.
We are well into the eighth decade of our life and now in retirement - Like it or not, we are in the "at risk" population with the additional risk of Lucie being back on steroids which compromise her immune system.
We do feel a little helpless by this necessary confinement, the dependence on others and the guilt at not being able to do our bit to help. So, running out of marmite is just a trivial example, perhaps one of many, which can be allowed to fill the empty spaces, if we are not careful.
On the bright side, provided that our state pension drops into our account every Monday and drops out of the wall on demand, it's hard to complain - we just keep taking the tablets and being ever more grateful for our lives when others, much more deserving, are losing theirs.
In fact, spring weather is upon us - bright blue, vapour-free skies are above us, the trees get greener by the day - the bird-song is louder, traffic noise is silent, the air is fresher, there's no-one about to disturb the peace and our neighbours save us the cost of petrol by insisting on doing our shopping. We have much for which to be thankful.
(As I expect of any lager, the tin shown on the left does the job but is far too strong at 8% by volume - it has to be sipped rather than swallowed - better to take wine? The tin on the right is devoid of any taste or 'throat opening' quality what-so-ever. It just takes up fridge space... Better to drink water)
I am looking forward to reopening our little brewery and making real beer at the Old Mill, just outside the village of 'Hede' - but this is not possible because of the crisis....but hey....
This visitor to our new bird table - is definitely a fledgling - could it be a little Golden Oriole? or is that wishful thinking? ... its breast plumage is a soft yellow colour. It seems woefully unaware of our presence and the danger it is in with our cats. Below is a 'google' picture of a 'Yellow Hammer'.
It's spring and we are preparing for our epic journey to the Bassin Jacques Cartier in St.Malo where we hope to repaint and do some minor repairs to Body and Soul...So far the canal remains closed to all traffic - Perhaps the 1st of June is a bit ambitious. But this year it's never going to be plain sailing y'know.....