frog...
which would you choose?
Del boy Peckham
or
The Garden of England's
answer to
Eaton Square?
I think you know exactly
what I'm going to say...
Part of my early morning routine is to
'mighty-nightie' clad wander up to the new pond
and take tea with the frogs.
Er... there is one small problem...
I can creep, I can commando-like slither
belly through the grass, but
I can never spot them.
This morning no different...
passing the galvanised feed trough
a hugh plop is heard...
'Well, slapper my thigh!
They're only back in the gloom!'
Miffed, I walk away passing the
clear, clear fragrant water of the new pond,
the sun positively making it sparkle.
I feel a blog coming on...
I'll limbo-dance back and catch
the culprit sitting smugly awaiting his publicity shots
for his starring role on the blog.
Camera in hand I make my way back only to find...
a smallish hedgehog sat right in
the middle of the lawn.
All suddenly brightens in Lin's little corner of England.
'Ted!'
my dulcet tones reverberate around the Weald.
Carefully he picks it up and places it just by the new stumpery.
Frogs forgotten I stand and wait.
A few minutes later it uncurls itself and smartly walks
behind the biggest stump.
Since Lettice died I've needed something to love:
I've had an animal-shaped hole in my heart.
Could this little scrap, heal the prickles of
my hurting heart?
If I were a frog I'd be hopping mad! One of the first things I would do is to acquire clothing - perhaps a miniature sailor suit - as frogs are in the habit of leaping around in the buff and I don't think that that would go down too well with our neighbours. I don't know the answer to your last question. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteHello Mr YP, A frog in a sailor suit? It would be just my luck to kiss him and him turn into Capt. Pugwash.
DeleteLLX
Let's us know what you name the hedgehog LL.
ReplyDeleteCarol, that is exactly what Ted said... as if I would! I am a daft tart I'll admit, not that crackers though... added to which I've not seen hide nor prickle of him/her since. I'm just happy I'm getting it right with my wildlife garden.
DeleteLLX
How brilliant to see a hedgehog in your garden:)
ReplyDeleteJean x
Couldn't agree more Jean. I've just this Easter weekend taken delivery of many and various solitary bee houses. Last year's bumble bee house hasn't got any tenants yet. I wouldn't mind, but if what you read in the papers is correct there's a chronic shortage of housing in the South East.
DeleteLLX
What an absolutely adorable creature. Your hedgehogs are vastly superior to the US porcupines.
ReplyDeleteSadly Marty they are rapidly becoming an endangered species.
DeleteLLX
I found frog spawn in a disused food bin at one of the houses I clean. I took it inside to show 6 year old twins and guess what? A frog came to the surface! Magic.
ReplyDeleteI was only thinking today that it is YEARS since I saw a hedgehog. We don't even see them splatted on roads any more. You are so damned lucky to have that critter in your garden. Love it to death (and then some).
X
Call yourself a cleaner Ms MM! Next you'll be telling me your remit isn't to clean outside... a likely story. That's a brilliant tale... bet you all jumped... not as much as the frog I expect?
DeleteLLX
Careful what you feed her/him - you can kill hedgehogs with milk I believe, but tinned dog food is OK.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe the rubbish bread people feed the ducks with up at the village pond Nilly. It's a wonder they don't sink like stones.
DeleteNo milk for the hedgehog, I'm not as daft as I'd have people believe... although...?
LLX
I have a very soft spot for hedgehogs, so glad it came to cheer you up. Keep looking, I find frogs and toads in the most unlikely spots! They always make me worry I am going to stand on them accidentally. Your wildlife garden is looking good.
ReplyDeleteNeedless to say I haven't seen it again, just knowing they're about has made my heart sing. Added to which, like you I am always in fear of stepping on something lurking in my wildlife friendly long grass.
DeleteLLX
Love that little hedgehog. I'd be putting out a bit of dog food for him to encourage him to stay around.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you'll get another dog? A puppy comes as a huge shock after an old dog. We've decided to opt for dog sitting duties with our daughter's pup and it has made us realise our decision was the right one for us. Puppies are a whole other ball game.
Hello Helsie, I did just that and the food remained untouched. We have a long ancient hedge, which I'm sure is far more appealing!
DeleteI made Ted promise me no matter how much I grizzled and moaned (and I can!) that he wouldn't let me succumb to another dog. The funny thing is, although I miss her horribly, I really do think she was such a very special dog, that no other would come even close. And of course the commitment: we have only just now begun to realise we can at the drop of a hat just go.....
LLX