Anniversary waltz

This wasn't intended to be a squirrel blip: I got my camera out because I liked the way the rain was making stripes on the tree bark, & didn't even notice the squirrel until viewing the picture on my laptop. I guess that, since the advent of Jack, he's been feeling a bit neglected, & decided to gatecrash the photo!

Twenty-four years ago the weather was almost as bad as it's been today, & our wedding photos show the assembled company huddled, shivering, under umbrellas outside the church - but the sun did at least emerge as we headed off from the reception towards our honeymoon destination (which was to be combined with a house-hunting expedition), & it shone all week. Today's weather showed no such mercy: we've had relentless rain & wind all day, & our picnic had to be postponed. Still, at least we've been able to watch our pond being topped up with rain water, & the water butt is once again full to the brim; but in deference to the occasion I did take pity on hubby & suggested that tomorrow will be soon enough to transfer some of it into buckets & cans to use on the veg garden.

Things we've learned about Jack
When he comes in from the rain he smells worse than a wet dog
He doesn't care what the date is, he still thinks he should be allowed to join in with every kiss or cuddle, but we've decided that it's time to nip this in the bud, & in the course of one day he's learned that he mustn't do it. It's really funny to see his bum twitching as he tries so hard to keep it planted on the floor, & he has transgressed a couple of times, but he's definitely got the message!

In other news, the birds seem to like the new pond; in spite of the weather no ducks (as yet), but plenty of other avian activity down there. Oh, & we're now pretty sure that the sludgy-coloured birds which have been visiting the feeders recently are greenfinches.