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Swifts, newts and decking
Posted by: Richard Jones, 07 May 2008, 11.12AM
On Sunday 4th of May, the winds of change swept through East Dulwich. And being an old country hand I could tell the moment I stepped out of the door that something was afoot. It wasn't a tang of salt air from the distant ocean, or a warning red sky, or a late opening of goatsbeard flowers either. It was the noticeable absence of 747s turning on their final approach into Heathrow. Only a serious change in the wind can do this. An hour later this new wind brought a wonderful gift - the swifts returned.
I'm no bird expert, but these harbingers of summer lift my heart when, as now, they scream their victorious celebration of return across the heavens. They made one low sweep together, a passing salute, then divided and wheeled off to the horizon. I counted about 15, the same number we get every year, give or take. They're late this year; in 2007 it was May 2nd.
Then it was newts, three of them paddling about at the bottom of the pond. They were easily visible against the new butyl liner I had to put in when the old one sprung a leak. Our pond is raised, three railway sleepers high off the ground, so these two females and a male had managed to scramble up and climb in. There's not much else going on in the water yet - no boatmen or beetles or skaters - but a shaft of sunlight through the scattered pondweed shows the dancing hordes of water fleas. The water is clear and clean so I'm expecting great things in coming months.
I spent a lot of time in the garden on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Why? Decking. I'm not sure what the received wisdom on decking is, but we have a thoroughfare near the end of the garden between the lawn and a secluded patio. Overshadowed by apple tree and creeper-covered pergola, and trodden underfoot by children stampeding to the playhouse, it turned to mud long ago, so putting a small area of deck seemed like the obvious choice. This is the first time I've tried my hand at this type of woodwork, and I'm feeling rather smug I have to say. We now have a small but perfectly formed seating area in the dappled shade, just the place to enjoy a glass of something with the neighbours as the swifts continue to screech overhead.
Comments
Frieda (London)
07 May 2008, 12.36PM
Smee
07 May 2008, 06.45PM
Christine Hooper
07 May 2008, 09.00PM
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