Woke to find a tick had attached itself to my “poitrine” this morning. How disgusting. Luckily River Sprite is of age to help and ran down to get dogs tick hook thingy from kitchen drawer. She removed it expertly. Its pincer things were still wiggling. Had a red mark at the site rest of the day. Couldnt help thinking about the cartoon chatacter,, “The Tick” who was blue as I recall and once got trapped in a phone box in New York and couldn’t dial as he had no arms. Primroses are finally on the wane now. Not sure I ever remember them being so brilliant as this year. Saw first one bravely poking out of a hedge in a cruel, bitter wind on February 4th. Bluebells, red (pink) campion and wild garlic in the ascendant. Couldn’t resist collecting some yesterday and with River Sprite made wild garlic and chicken pesto.
Drove somewhere today. Defiantly but technically it was essential shopping. had to collect some meat. The beast, fine Devon red bullock, slaughtered 31st March, hung for 3 weeks then took a week to butcher it.
Stopped at filling station on A38 . Only other car on the usually busy forecourt contained a man who got out in green uniform with Ambulance written across his back. Felt a bit guilty. Filling up was a swift process. A safety screen at the till and no pork pies. Drat. There was however a cheese and onion sandwich. There is a God. Wiped down with sanitiser before prizing it open and wolfing down. Sheer joy of eating filling station, bought food. Felt like real contraband Only £22 to top up. Car last filled up Mon 23rd March. Lockdown was announced that day. Have only used car twice since- to get meds from pharmacy.
Have sometimes looked at my car in the 5 weeks and wondered if I should start it – keep it ticking over. Last week forayed to post office with important package. A sunny day but a chilling experience. 4 miles to nearest market town and not a car on the roads. Nothing. Not even a white van. Eeerie driving all alone. As if a space ship had been down and scooped up all the humans and flown off.
Looked at Dartmoor on my right. Very beautiful but very closed apparently. Funny to think I was really going to explore it this summer. Do the mythical “Abbots Way” Now wonder if I will ever make it back there.
On meat fetching trip today saw the blazing yellow of huge fields of oilseed rape. Realised as we have none locally it was the first spring I have not seen it while driving about. A much missed seasonal marker. Boris Johnson is back to work today.
The River Files 