Bites'n'Pieces

For those of you who think that Australia has a monopoly on bities and stingers, let me assure you that Europe has quite a number of its own, most of which have taken a piece out of me.  This includes stinging ants – pretty small but very nasty, biting flies (a lot like March flies), ticks (which apparently carry Lymes Disease), and stinging nettles that are as tall as I am.  I currently have welts from all of these, plus one more that I didn’t see, but certainly felt, and which has given me the largest welt of all (and it’s just starting to get itchy today).

We are currently enjoying (not) a heatwave.  Summer didn’t actually start until Sunday when the weather turned mild (and the temperature actually got higher than 15!), and it’s been picking up in temperature until today (Thursday), which is around 32 degrees.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday we are looking at 35 to 37 degrees.  I didn’t think northern Europe got that hot!!  Might have to go for a swim.  There are a couple of ponds here which are very cold, but I’ve noticed that some people have already been in.  

With a ladder on the end of the jetty for easy access

Since Monday, I’ve been weeding.  There’s a garden here that’s a bit overgrown, so that’s been my project.  Downside is no-one to talk to.  Upside is being outside in lovely weather with birds all around.  The next few days, however, might be given over to watering!  

Notice how full the wheelbarrow on the left is!

Wildlife I’ve seen so far – hare, deer and red squirrel (which has a white tummy and likes cherries).  I missed out on the badger, which Heike and Sally saw last night.  There’s also a stork’s nest in Schnega (about 6km away), and it has at least two well-grown youngsters in it.  I’ve caught a (very brief) glimpse of the kingfisher twice, and I’ve finally gotten a decent look at the woodpecker – it’s a Great Spotted Woodpecker (as opposed to Middle Spotted and Lesser Spotted, which are also in the area and look like triplets).