A Skylark walk.

Conronavirus a daily record. March 24th 2020

Another beautiful sunny day dawns it is day 1 of lockdown. Ian & I wear our shorts although it is rather chilly 1^st thing. We then take the saab – roof down – and drive to Flackwell heath. We have the most amazing walk. Very few people around and everyone is keeping their distance. It is quite strange as we veer away from each other and apologise for doing so.

In the most I think people are adhering to the rules, however there were some cases of people sun bathing in parks and having to be sent home by the police also some BBQ parties were broken up. In supermarkets people are still going mad and not adhering to the 2 metre rule. Mainly the problem is in London and big cities where people have to get to work. The tubes and buses are rammed perhaps there are not enough running now. They have reduced the number of them in London at least.

Anyway back to the walk. Ian has done this walk many times but it’s a first for me. We look down across from Flackwell towards Marlow. The fields here have either been sown for a fallow year as there are furrows of grass and clover, or they are left like this for the wild life. The air is full of the song of the Skylark accompanied by the mewing of an occasional Buzzard. It is so peaceful.

A runner speeds past us at full pelt down the steep hill, his legs seem to be rather out of control and I think the angle of the hill is his propulsion rather than muscle power. Bit like a child when they run down a hill and cant stop.

Down the hill we go across Sheepridge lane down through Little Marlow cemetery, so pretty with the Daffodils out. Back across the road and up through Pigeon farm, tackle a short but steep hill then we are back in the town and cut through the back alleys to the car.

Once home we have coffee in the garden, sort out the bird box. A blue tit was investigating it again this morning but no nest-building happening. I wonder if it has lost its mate. Anyway a bright green thing is dangling in front of the camera and needs attention. I would not normally interfere with it but as there is no nest building going on I think its ok. 2 seconds was all it took to remove a piece of moss from the camera lens.

We also sort out the netting on the pond, the fish seem to be doing well, fingers crossed they will survive this year. I have put some weed in the pond in some gravel pots and we are hoping it will provide a place for some eggs to hatch and might get some baby fish.

Bucks council have suspended green bin collection, which is a massive blow not to just me but the majority of people as the garden is going to be the main source of activity in the next few weeks/ months. There was a fear that the blue bin was also being suspended. Now that would have caused severe problems, as I am sure the nations wine, beer consumption has increased dramatically. Not us of course, no no not us, absolutely not. Well perhaps a teeny bit.

We catch up with friends on face time; thank goodness we have this wonderful technology now. Its great to catch up and keep in touch.

Dinner tonight is not very exciting Pork chop, new potatoes, courgettes and Broccoli. However it was very tasty.

Over 4 miles walked today.

A bit of gardening, but some other jobs outside completed. Planted some seeds and Lilly bulbs.

An early night as both very tired.

It is 6.15 am on the 25^th as I write this the sun is just climbing up over Winterhill. Lone joggers pass by, getting their 1 form of exercise in before the world wakes up. Their breath is visible as they puff on past and I notice there is a frost on the cars over the road. I am still wearing my shorts today though.

Ian is grumbling why am I up? Better go and make some tea.

Bye for now.