Slowly...
I am allowed to start my day slowly. I am allowed to potter inside all morning, reading, writing, checking my photographs, enjoying the log-burner, while waiting for the day outside to warm up.
Winnie the Dog
It's nearly midday, but it's still cold out there. Have just taken the dogs out and about for another walk. My dogs are very unsympathetic to me feeling cold. Apparently country dogs are much tougher than country gardeners. They are much furrier, that's for sure!
Leaves to Rake Up
Brr... I need a plan. What warms a gardener up in late autumn? Raking leaves! But I don't feel like it - prefer the leaves to be wet when they go into the plastic rubbish bags anyway. I'll find something else to do.
Crabapples By the House
Two hours later...
Am inside for a short break. My house is toasty warm! Have been trimming and clearing the side house garden. It's still quite cold outside.
And two more hours later...
Have just come in from bonfiring. Moved over to the Wattle Woods behind the cottage. The path behind the cottage is now clear up to the little wooden arched bridge, but the gardens alongside are still chock full of mess. This will involve a huge clean-up (and burn-up) if I ever get it remotely finished. Everything has to be burnt because it's gum tree mess - leaves, dead branches, bark, and so on. I reckon it's two months work. Aargh!
Conversation with a Fantail...
Had an interesting conversation with a fantail who was following me around, encouraging me. 'Keep on going!' he squeaked happily. 'Keep on going! If you're cold, just puff up your feathers!' I pointed out that I was featherless. That shushed him up!
Hello Fantail!
I came inside to have a hot shower and warm up in front of the log-burner instead. No need for feathers. Nice.