Close Encounters of the Wild Kind

After several nights of waiting patiently and bribing with a tin of dog food and peanuts, Pickles had finally strike a pose for me. Before, as soon as he saw me, he’ll make a mad dash for freedom. Isn’t he the sweetest thing?

I put the food out at about 9pm and came out after 10.30pm. I sat quietly in the dark while he ate. I want him to get used to me. All I could hear was the grunts he made and the crunch from the nuts. Bats were flying above my head. Here I am nestled snuggly amidst hundreds of other houses, I got my own bit of wildlife.

Yesterday, we made a early trip to the reserve. We were greeted by swallows who were  playing  above the car park. We walked through the woods and were instantly bombarded with high volume non-stop bird songs. From a distance, we could hear the distinct call of a cuckoo. It was amazing.

At Steely Hide, we’d our first sighting of this gorgeous kingfisher. I nearly missed him as I was engrossed in listening to a cetti’s warbler warbling (!). Luckily, Babe saw him. All you could hear was our cameras clicking away. We felt very privileged to have seen him.

I took the day off on Monday. I’d a hard night, wheezing and spent the night sleeping downstairs on Babe’s recliner. Guess the pollen count must have been very high. We also decided to  clear the empty boxes under the bed and gave the bedroom a good spring clean. Fingers crossed, I’ll be able to have a good night sleep.

Today, we’d an easy day. Babe watched the British Grand Prix and I tried another new recipe for lunch. I made a lamb hot-pot (minus the kidneys) using barbecue sauce. I made 2 batches and one will be for the freezer.

Also made an pineapple upside-down cake. Nearly had a disaster cos instead of sprinkling brown sugar, I used couscous. Luckily, I realised my mistake and was able to scoop off the culprits. The casa smelt delicious. Bonn Appetit.

Today’s Father’s Day. This lovely blooming Paul’s Scarlet climbing rose is for my wonderful Abah. Thank you and may Allah bless you and our family always.

I planted this climbing rose last year. I’m training it to trail around the fence. Very pretty and with its spiny thorns, acts as a safety barrier too.

Did you celebrate the solstice? How I wish I was among the 36,500 revellers who had  welcomed the dawn of the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. Imagine that roads in the area was gridlocked in the hours leading up to sunrise at 0458 BST. Wow…

The event marked the dawn of the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation. This is a time to celebrate growth and life and also time to acknowledge that the sun will now begin to decline once more towards winter. (Just not too soon)

As the sun spirals its longest dance,
Cleanse us
As nature shows bounty and fertility
Bless us
Let all things live with loving intent
And to fulfil their truest destiny

Wiccan blessing for Summer

May we all be blessed with a wonderful summer.