Project 365 day 57: Toad

Today was glorious, morning frost followed by perfect blue sky.

I walked round the garden photographing daffodils, daisies, catkins and pussy willow, all suitable for Flower Friday; but a little later P called me out to see the toad, which sat patiently in the rather long grass outside the dining room window while I examined and framed him from all angles. His eyes were beautiful, with those striking golden rims. The catkins will still be there tomorrow.

P has spent the day digging a large hole in our driveway trying to locate the leak in the water pipe which is causing a large puddle and growing stream outside the front of the house. The tarmac, which concealed a layer of concrete, was very hard. Our neighbour, from yesterday's house, helped and loaned tools, and they managed to open the inspection cover and turn off the stop tap where the pipe enters our property. For now, it will be turned on for as little of the day as possible. Once the damaged pipe is exposed, hopefully tomorrow, we will have a clearer idea what we need to do. It's cast iron pipework, probably a century old like the house, and if it's starting to fail it may be wisest in the long run to replace the whole pipe from the water main to the point where it enters the house - but this is likely to be eyewateringly expensive.