Insects

I don't know where the day's gone to. I slept well, woke early and seem to have done nothing much ever since. I know I faffed around a bit with my new bird table. It's small, only a little more than 30 centimetres square but the ground slopes where I want to put it. I've done some levelling and howking out of ivy but it needs more and there are crocuses which will have to be moved so I'll wait till they have died down. It's stable enough and Beaky was straight in. Other birds have been a bit more cautious but it is being used. Afterwards I struggled with my 1,000 piece jigsaw. I reckoned I had made a mistake buying it as after I got the edges in place it lay there untouched. A few pieces have gradually been placed. I don't know if I'm enjoying it but I don't like to give up. Wandered up the garden and found a bee harvesting the crocuses which was a thrill. My first bee of the year. Took lots of photos and cut back the lavateria which was getting in the way When I looked later there were about six or seven at work, all honeybees. Word must have spread. Now of course I want to see my first bumblebee. After that I appear to have done nothing. Started a new book, had some Selkirk bannock and fell asleep on the sofa. Haven't even been for a walk.

Up early but not bright eyed and bushy tailed so nothing much done until I got out and pruned back my kiwi fruit climber to create a space for my blue tit nest box. Found a selection of screw nails and cleared up some of the undergrowth so Andy would have a clear path to where the nest box was to be. He came over when I phoned and the box was up in no time. Frittered away some time having coffee then went out and tinkered yet again with the bird ground feeder. I think I've got it sorted out now although if nearby plants grow a lot I may have to rethink. The crocuses were alive with bees so a lot of time was spent photographing and I saw a blue tit giving the new box a once over. . Later in the day Linda phoned which was nice. Much of the conversation was gloomy though what with lockdown continuing, roads full of potholes, the problems of Brexit and the Salmond/Sturgeon affair. We didn't seem to be able to find anything cheerful to talk about except the weather. I'm keen to get on with the garden but am not walking as my knee and hip are not happy. It's hard to strike a balance. I think I need a day off where I take myself somewhere different for a change.