The sparrows that nest in the eves of The Rickety Old Farmhouse shuttle backwards and forwards to the wheat field on the other side of the lane. A flight of 20 yards at most. They eat. Fly home. Then repeat the journey. Twenty or so nests of hungry young squeak excitedly. Sophie observes them from a shady spot under an oak tree. She could sit there for hours. Every twenty minutes or so she emits a solitary bark of the ear piercing variety. The sparrows are unimpressed.
She and her brother spend a portion of the afternoon chasing round the garden at high speed in pursuit of those invisible things that only happy dogs can see. Chasing cannot be conducted quietly. The PON duos volume level is set to maximum.
Shady corners are explored.
Ears are scratched.
France looks as if it might be in with a chance of winning the European Football Championships. For the male residents of deepest France profonde this is a truly important development in comparison , with say, Brexit. Who, in the broader scheme of things, is to say this is a misplaced sense of proportion ?
18 comments:
Sparrow watching - better than anything on TV these days - unless you're a football fan of course. No, the males in deepest France profonde have the right idea - winning the European Football Championship would eclipse everything - even an invasion from Mars ! Have you put the champagne on ice yet, Angus?
By the way - what was the result of the assessment of the Very Old Farmer - do you know?
This is not proving a good week to be English...
Why is it that often the things you worry about the most tend to sort themselves out? Meanwhile the ripples are very interesting.
You'll have to cultivate a Scots accent, Gail !
Is our Bob OK? He look like he may be experiencing a bit of gip with his ears..
x
Are you going to a fan zone to cheer?
There was a sparrow's nest in the porch of the hospice where my dad was. We got endless entertainment watching the parents bring food. Little beaks would pop up just before the arrival. Nice to know some things go on.
Iceland and France.
There you go.
Happy dogs indeed. They radiate joy. Just a look at those amazing faces....
Yes, how is the VOF? Not the type to spend his remaining days wrapped in cotton wool. Good for him.
He is in an Old Folks Home 20 kilometres away but will be transferred to a Maison d'acceuil shortly.
There are times when being Scots is an advantage.
May they ripple onwards.
Yes, he's had a bath. PON ears are not designed for heat.
Englands departure from Europe and its departure from the European Championships are the cause of much jollity here.
We must have 50, probably closer to 60 of the little darlings in nests scattered around the gutters and eaves.
We have a blue bird mystery. It started around two months ago when Mr. Blue began to peck twice on Baily Bob's window on the world. At first we thought he was fighting his reflection in the glass. Not so. He follows us around the house, sitting on the outside window sill, pecking twice, and looking in. He tolerates Baily going to the window, but flys away if we approach. We wake up to Mr. Blue at the bedroom window, and say good night to him, around 8:30 at Bailey's window. He loves showing off when we have company! Has anyone heard of such bird behavior?
Wonderful behaviour indeed. Both here in France and on the farm in Scotland I've seen swallows and House Martins swooping around and playing with the dogs. Perhaps you have a Blue Bird that recognizes dogs are fun companions ?
Thank you Angus. If you see him please pass on our very kind regards.
Angus, your Blog is the Great Fun!! I check it twice each day and love all the interaction between your readers; it's like Family.
Thanks for always helping to make it everyone's "Best Day Ever" !!
Years ago a little sparrow would come into the house and pick through the carpet--no reflection on slack housework.
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