Happy Easter

Bob and Sophie head out of the front gate impatient to get their day started. A foraging hare turns its head to see what the commotion is then quickly bounds off into the undergrowth. This year, after months of rain, the hawthorn blossom is thick and bright. The dawn catches the small flowers and for five maybe ten seconds they burn like a million red rubies. Then it’s gone. Hawthorns are farmers trees – unassuming, used as windbreaks, tough, but for two weeks they forget their dowdiness and stir the landscape with boughs of white. This morning they and the sun have reminded this dog walker that mysteries can be seen in the most routine of places. I find myself standing and saying a grateful thank you for this secret display ; perhaps this is what sixty year olds do. The PONs are unmoved. They race ahead, tails high, noses down, there are the wonders of the drainage ditch to be explored.

Back at The Rickety Old Farmhouse Bob sprints along the path to announce our return. His sister tarries under the bird feeders looking for uneaten sunflower seeds. She emits a low and most unlady like growl to warn passing woodpeckers and bull finches that she is not to be trifled with.

Sophie's coat trim is now largely done. She may not look show ring perfect but she's clearly enjoying having all that weight off her. She looks ( and acts ) like a six month old. Bobs trim will wait until Angus has a 'supercharged energy ' day. It will be a battle of the wills.

Despite the early hour there's a long line at the butchers. The wine merchant with a stutter stops and tells me to pop in to the shop on my way back to the car. He has a 1995 Pomerol which he says is perfect for Easter lunch. '' Make sure you open it four hours before the meal " he adds with that  gravitas only French wine merchants have.

The pigeons have nested in the belfry causing the hands of the  church clock to remain resolutely stuck at two minutes to five. A group of middle aged Spanish pilgrims stop in their mini bus and walk across to look at the swaying Jesus. Nothing happens so they wait for a minute then traipse back to the minibus. Being Spanish this is conducted with much laughter. Bob watches them from his stump seat. 

It's shaping up to be the best Easter day ever.


An Easter painting of the mundane : https://www.wikiart.org/en/francisco-de-zurbaran/agnus-dei-1640

And fifty seconds of Bach Easter music : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4wXNz8KFuk