We have been rather disorganised with the regularity of our Posts and the end of 2023 period has been no exception! It has been a demanding time in terms of the health of family and friends, both in France and the UK.
But it does not feel like 'full Winter' yet; we have not had the heavy frosts and snow at the end of November that seemed a regular event seven or eight years ago. So, the ground has weclomed the amount of rain there has been, after the very dry August and September period; and flowers have kept blooming and leaves have stayed put on the trees, shrubs and creepers throughout November:
Whatever the weather this year, it has felt particularly necessary to have colour and warmth and that we were fortunate enough to have some of that, shared with friends and with family through video-links.
One outcome of the wet weather, and a very welcome one, has been the replenishment of the big pond - its water levels are now up to 'normal' at this time of year, quite a feat after the Summer's drought. It has meant that the water level has risen by at least 1.75 metres and this has led the carp to put in an appearance and we spot their shadowy forms in the early mornings and evenings ..... very difficult to see them clearly, let alone photograph them ..... but they are there alright!:
Something that has been particularly noticeable this Autumn and Winter has been the growth of moss, on roofs, pathways and trees. Being entirely ignorant regarding the conditions that would encourage this we have been surprised .... because we thought that the droughts we have had would mitigate against moss growth. But clearly this is not the case and we believe that the growth has more to do with humidity levels which, in previous Blog Posts, we have commented have been increasingly high across all seasons. The moss growth is observable not only on roofs and walls but also on trees and shrubs. It is difficult to assess how serious this is, but certainly on roofs high levels of moss growth is a problem - from the moss retaining moisture and penetrating gaps and expanding and contracting according to temperature.
And alongside the moss growth (literally!) we've noted the increase in lichen growth. We understand that there are a range of views regarding lichen growth - the one we're choosing to note is that it is a sign that the air is particularly free of contaminents and that the lichen does not in any sense 'feed on' its host tree(s) ... so, we're sticking with that and enoying the subtle colours and shapes that the lichen display:
If anyone believes that January/February offers a 'break' from garden work - think again! In particular the season offers the opportunity to prune and renovate trees and shrubs and to re-form shapes and designs within the garden - suddenly two months or so becomes a short time! So, into the garden we go .......
Postscript:
I have been very aware, while writing this Post, that one can 'strike the wrong note'. As I have been writing, I have had various news feeds playing. How is one meant to absorb and deal with this? How can photographs of Christmas lights, decorations and cakes be in any sense 'right' in the context of the traumas that we know are being suffered? I have touched on this before, in previous Blog posts - that we need a change in 'investment'. Not 'investment' in a fiscal sense. We have to make a personal choice, allied with direct action (however 'small'), that we invest in the belief that the vast majority of our fellow humans understand what wellbeing means and wish to create it for themselves and for others.
Listening to the news feeds I am reminded of the following:
“A student, filled with emotion and crying, implored, "Why is there so much suffering?"
Suzuki Roshi replied, "No reason.”
We hope that 2024 will be kind to you and yours.