… is the title of a terrific album by 1970s beat combo Ritchie Blackmore and his Rhythm Rainbows.
But I digress.
The title of this post is a perhaps witty allusion to the properties of sap at this time of year – the observation that THINGS are, notwithstanding inasmuch as which, starting to throw off the stultifying shackles of winter. Why, just this morning in the Jardin Des Girrafes I observed the two bunnies, at it, like, well, bunnies. I could only prise them apart by tempting them with breakfast. They are mother and son. I think they’ve been at it quite a lot, but the fruits of their Oedipal burrow, if any have issued thusfar hexadigitally and henceforthward, have been consumèd by the cat Naughtypants (Not His Real Name). The burrow itself – well, that has been extinguishèd by the activities of the builders.
As I might have mentioned in an earlier effusion, the Jardin Des Girrafes is currently in the throes of a massive extension. After many months of planning, dreaming and the scraping together of cash, our conservatory out back
has been removèd
and is being replaced by this ongoing erection
which, like the eructations of Mr Blackmore and his Rhythm Rainbows, is rising at a prodigious, puissant, and – I dare to say – tumescent rate. The groundwork was laid with care by a team of builders of a certain age and deliberation, but when they’d done, they gave way to a team of young, virile bricklayers who move so fast that it’s impossible to capture them on film (despite entreaties from Frank). One hardly dares venture outdoors during the week lest one is fair mown down by a barrowful of wet cement or buried under a pile of bricks toted in haste by a youth of Ganymedean proportions. Now that the extension is – against all hope – actually underway, I am even as we speak haunting the alleys and byways for a decent secondhand aga with a ‘balanced’ flue – I’ve been researching these things, you know – that can be transported from distant parts with the help of my friend Mr M. P. of Cromer and his Trusty Vehicle.
What with all this foam and fury of business, I have suddenly found myself in THE ZONE, so, yesterday, as the builders were finishing up for the day, I broke ground at last on the first draft of my new book. I am now 947 words in. My friend Dr J. G. of Sussex, a prodigious science writer, says that 1000 words a day is a good rate, and I am inclined to agree. I can write 1000 words rather easily, but tend to stop after that as my mind wanders into teh silliness.
Even so, I can still get away to enjoy the glories of the coast at this time of year. Here is a snap from yesterday’s lunchtime walk, from Cromer lighthouse, looking westward (Dog in foreground for scale).
The wind had dropped, the sun was shining so brightly that it actually cast shadows (I’d forgotten what these were) and one didn’t feel that one had to wear a deep-sea-diving costume outdoors for fear of being exfoliated to the bone by just standing in the breeze. Spring has, as they say, Sprung.
Yes but. This extension of yours. Will it have…, you know… spines.
Speak fer yersself, sunshine.
Bah. I snowed here again yesterday. But on a better note, I just spotted the first Common Grackle and Red-Winged Blackbirds of the season, sure signs that spring is on the way. Or sure signs that they think it is, anyway.
“It”. “It” snowed here again yesterday.
You had it right the first time.
We’ve already had several days with temperatures in the 80s, and the mesquite trees have leafed out. I’d be very surprised if we had another freeze before November. My response to this is “Ugh!”, because we have quite enough warm sunny weather here, thankyouverymuch. Wish I could export it, or better yet, move elsewhere … but you know, good secure job, bad economy, retirement years away, etc. etc. At least the warm weather has been good for the garden and the newly-planted trees.
Congrats on the extension to the house, cromercrox – I’m sure it will increase the comfort and happiness of all the Croxii. And I join the entreaties for videos of bricklayers at work … you know, for research purposes, in case I decide to expand my abode. I should really take Smaug down the road to the local garden store and load him up with dirt for the third raised bed this morning, so I can plant the “salsa garden” seedlings that will arrive this week.
Thanks Kristi! I am quite excited about the extension. The idea is to make a big, new kitchen in there, with enough space for a biggish table, such that grownups can find a refuge while the Minor Croxii monopolise the sitting room. Up to now the only option has been to go into the conservatory (cold in winter), go upstairs or go outside.
The tiny kitchen – too small for more than one at a time, and strictly standing room only – will turn into a small study, twice or even thrice the size of my current Wearable Office(TM) – and a new hallway (leading to a new side door) with enough space to welcome at least a dozen dwarves and a wizard. Upstairs we’ll still have three bedrooms and a bathroom, but they’ll be bigger and in different places.
Here began the autumn of the overnight. This very cloudy. It’s amazing with the heat that had made only a few days ago. I would say that something like rising …..
Ouch, is my birthday.
Feliz Navidad, Alejandro!
Debes decir: “Feliz cumpleaños Alejandro”. But it does not matter.
Thanks for the books of HG. They are very interesting and well written.
I said ‘Happy Christmas. I now see. Ooops.
Thanks!