2022 April – Sentinel Oaks, Eeyore House, Bluebells, Portrait, Dins, Birthday, Peter Kay, MacBook resurrection

Sentinel Oaks

This is a picture of me under the two sentinel oak trees at the entrance to the wild woods.

The wood is a 132 hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest with about 280 different species vegetation including a wild service tree.    A what?  Apparently the berries, known as ‘chequers’ were once used to flavour beer (before the advent of hops) and the timber is fine grained, dense and bendy – used in the past for billiard cues and musical instruments.

The woods also have colonies of ‘black hairstreaks’ which are one of the UK’s rarest butterflies and a thriving hazel dormouse population – aaaah. 

 

Eeyore’s House

This is a picture of me investigating an Eeyore House in the wild woods.

Eeyore isn’t in at the moment or I would be going berserk.

 

Bluebells

Here are pictures of me and the bluebells ‘cos they (and me) are stunning.  Bluer than a blue thing. The bluebells obvs, not me, silly!

 

Portrait

This was drawn by offspring #3

It is proof that lawyers aren’t all bad.   Some of them even appear to have a rogue artistic streak….

 

Dins..?

This is a picture of me reminding Mum that it’s time for my dinner.

She seems very preoccupied with her phone at the moment.  She needs to stop that malarkey and get on with looking after me.  Like right now.  I expect you can tell how I’m feeling from the look on my face.

 

Birthday

It is my birthday on 30th April – set because this is the date when Mum (accidentally) brought me home for the first time (see November 2020 diary post).

I am expecting to get some extra treats.

Mmmmnnnn…yesssss …things are properly looking up ! :)

 

Peter Kay

In between things, Mum has been watching the comedy genius that is Peter Kay on YouTube.  You really should too.  It is ‘laugh out loud’ stuff.   Top answer to a heckle has to be:

‘…next time someone says ”penny for your thoughts…” …….. sell…. ‘

Highly recommend ‘Car Share’ as well.  Hilarious.

 

MacBook resurrection

Yay!! Mum has her MacBook back after Apple (cough, cough) said it was unfixable.  The lovely IT guru, Jeremy, has fixed it.   Plus Mum now has 3 screens to do work on – starting to run out of desk space but funky.

 

 

Saffron’s recommendations this month:

Music: This month (can’t believe we’ve not been here before now!) we going all out for Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen – 20 studio albums and loads of awards.  American singer, songwriter, musician.  So many great tracks to choose from but here are some you’ll probably recognise. Indulge yourself – go on, you know you want to. 

Born to Run

Born in the USA

Glory Days

Hungry Heart

Thunder Road (oh yessss)

The River

Dancing in the Dark

 

Reading: Two books this month from the Penguin books series ‘Great Ideas’.

‘Why I Write’ by George Orwell (1903-1950)- of its time and a fascinating glimpse into the world views of the author.  Has an especially beautifully written, image ridden but nonetheless graphic and harrowing chapter ‘A Hanging’ – for max impact, to be read within the context of the book.   

‘On The Pleasure of Hating’ by William Hazlitt (1778-1830) – another beautifully written book of 6 essays / short stories. WH was viewed as a radical and an inspiration for journalists and satirists.  

 

Film: The Fly (1986) starring Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis and John Getz.  Kinda based on a 1957 short story by George Langelaan, the films won awards and critical acclaim.  Gruesome SFX and a pretty gruesome plot as well.  Brilliant but feel that a strong drink is required for this one, my friends.  

 

In the news:

The energy price cap rises by 54% for gas and elec (whaaaat!!) 

Biggest reform in Divorce law for 50 years removes the ‘fault’  and/or 2 year separation requirements 

Partygate – Bojo and others fined for partying during Covid restrictions

High Court rules it was unlawful to release hospital patients to care homes without testing for Covid during the pandemic

4.9 million people have Covid in the UK – the highest number since the pandemic began – driven by an Omicron sub variant.

Extinction rebellion block bridges over the Thames

Russian invasion of Ukraine – there isn’t enough space here to cover this – look it up and cry.