Long weekend

We just had a long weekend—Bank Holiday weekend. I spent a lot of time in my garden (so what new eh?). The thing is we’ve been having such dreadful weather recently and I had to take advantage of every ray of sunshine to work on my garden. I never realised that nurturing a garden takes a lot of hard work. There’s the matter of controlling the perennial weeds, pruning dead wood/flowers, watering, fertilising, staking, “de-bugging” and tidying. This year our spring was more than a month late compared to last year. One thing about gardening, you’re more in tuned with nature. Growing up in the city, I was never this close to it. Also, now that I live next door to a field I am more appreciative of the food cycle. The local farmer tilled and sowed his land a month ago and now the little seedlings are starting to show. It is quite exciting. We try to buy local produce as well—eggs, meat, jams, vegetables, etc. Over here in the UK we’re getting more and more concerned where our food is coming from. There is a big push of buying locally. The reason for that is it is not just fresher and healthier, buying locally means you’re saving the environment as well (my big thing). Supermarkets, in their quest of providing all year round fruit and veggies, fly in produce from all over the world and to my mind that is such a waste! Why have lamb from New Zealand when Welsh lamb is better? I actually look at the packets now to determine whether or not it comes from Britain. I also buy seasonal vegetables. However, I feel guilty sometimes when I buy papaya for my tinola dish. But I must admit it is difficult to buy all locally because of the cost and variety.
Let me tell you about the road I take to work. I’ve always wanted to describe the road to you because the scenery is quite stunning. I have written a lot about the A30—the main link to Exeter from East Devon. However I haven’t told you about the A38—the link from Musbury to the A30.The A38 is a long and winding road. Unlike the A30, this road is only a two way traffic and because it is long and winding, your can only overtake in two places. There are several dangerous spots where you’re driving next to a cliff edge and making a very tight turns. Challenging in bad weather and low light. Anyway, in spite of the dangers, the A38 is picturesque. I have many favourite areas on this road but one there is one place where I deliberately slow down just to savour the moment. The area is right after a very dodgy turning. For the next 100 yards or so, I go through a verdant canopy of beech trees. I love the dappled light it creates and the feeling of entering another world. I am so taken with it that I would like to see the treetops two seconds before I die.
I know that is not possible at all but in my mind that place is magical! The other place is quite near my house (just before I turn for Musbury). This road is open and wider. There are fields on either side.
By now I know the two roads quite well. I know when to slow down for the speed camera. I know when to accelerate to feel a bit of freedom in an open road. The A38 is not an easy road but it is very interesting. The A30 is a very fast road and there are areas that challenge your machine (a steep upward climb) and fast merging traffic.
The A358 –the road leading to Musbury off the A38—is a narrow country road with tall hedgerows on both sides. It is also one winding road and overtaking is not really a good idea. I had problems with this road late last year when I attempted to go to work in the middle of a blizzard. When I was about to turn off for the A38 my car spun around so I decided to go back home. However, by this time the road was covered in snow—basically everything was covered in snow. I didn’t know whether I had to turn or what. I lost all my landmarks! It also happened to be a very dark winter’s morning. We didn’t have sunlight until 9.30am! That was one time when I was positively scared.
Before I reach my house I use another little country lane. This time the road only allows one car at a time so when there are two cars facing each other one must be prepared to either reverse or go up a muddy patch of field to let the other pass. You cannot see anything on either side because the hedgerows are taller and at the moment filled with wild flowers like cow parsley, bluebells and primroses. I have spotted a barn owl on this road and a fox as well.
So yes I am surrounded by nature and loving every minute of it! Just in case you're wondering, I took the photo above yesterday from my bedroom window. I watch the sunset almost every night. It never ceases to amaze me.