ready heron levels

 Ready for spring. The vegetable garden awaits seeds and plants.

On my way to attend to the vegetable beds I disturb a heron. It is exploring the pond in the corner below the rockery. It takes off and slowly wings its way down the lawn, its legs dragging out behind it. As it spreads its wings the walled garden and the lawn, which the walls encompass, suddenly seem less imposing than usual.

In The Grove this morning, I hear the murmur of traffic in The High Street below and above in the tops of the trees the chatter of birds. The sap is rising.