What a difference a week makes! Though not so much if you or your relatives are still without power. I have been wondering if the contiuing power outages has affected some UK postal deliveries as I sent a parcel from North Wales to Galashiels in the Scottish Borders on 22 November and my niece still hasn’t received it 5 days after her birthday!!

Of course, somewhere between here and there, someone might just be sitting down to read an anthology of short stories (some by me), drinking a choice of two different flavoured hot chocolate sachets and munching their way through a packet of five Curly Wurlies. Do leave a review on Amazon for the book.

So back to today’s Six on Saturday, edited by The Propagator.

“Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag...” It costs a lot more than tuppence (1p) these days, and with the weather being so mild until a couple of weeks ago our feathered friends have ignored the feeders. But last weekend, after Storm Arwen had moved on to cause havoc elsewhere, robins, tits (great and blue – I’m hoping for long-tailed), a wren, and several sparrows (or at least small, brown and grey things with beaks) have been jostling for a spot on the feeders in both front and rear gardens so I’ve put more out, and a tray for the robins who do their best to hover but prefer to feed on the ground (or the garage roof). Of course, I’m never going to manage a photograph of them feeding unless I sit outside for hours!

A first for me as I attempt to germinate English bluebell seeds – outside, in/on the shady border, with just leaves to prevent any heavy rain from washing the seeds away. The instructions on the packet state they need an intense period of cold (or is that a period of intense cold?), so chilly fingers crossed that something will grow.

Something is growing in the ‘Blue’ pots. Crocuses? or the snowdrops I popped into each of the four pots? Time will tell.

I bought another pot of sempervivums to complete my brother’s Christmas present. I have no idea what they are as the label reads “Sempervivum”. Ssshhh – I’ve snipped a few ‘chicks’ to grow on.

Heuchera ‘Marmalade’ is still growing; ‘Berry Smoothie’ is hanging on but not growing. It has dappled shade, moist but not wet soil, yet it has looked like this ever since I moved both of them and chopped off the leggy growth. It doesn’t need fertiliser and I have tried it both under a cloche and not, without it making any difference.

For those of a sensitive or nervous disposition, my final image is on Page 2 – a fine example of rattus rattus in winter plumage.

“The only good rat is a dead rat”.

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