Pond Filters, Burst Seals, Dead UVs and Cobs — Happy Easter Everyone!

 Sod's Law Strikes Again

Right then. You couldn't write it. Well — actually I can, that's rather the point of this blog — but you know what I mean.

You know how it goes. Everything ticks along nicely for weeks, you're getting on with the plots, the greenhouse is waiting to be put together, life is good. And then — bang. Everything decides to pack up at exactly the same time. Not one thing. Not a sensible, manageable one thing. No, no. Two things. Simultaneously. Because that's how it works when you're me.

The pond.

Now the pond is one of those things that sits there quietly doing its job and you don't really think about it much. The fish are happy, the water's clear, the filters are humming away in the background. You walk past it, you have a little look, you move on. It's one of life's quiet satisfactions is a well kept pond. And I do love it.

Well. Not this week I didn't.

Both Filters. Both of Them.

I went out to check on things earlier in the week and noticed something wasn't quite right with the water. Had a proper look. Filter number one — leaking. Not a dramatic gusher, but leaking nonetheless, and there's no such thing as a small leak you can ignore with a pond filter. So I got down for a closer inspection of filter number two as well, just to be thorough. Leaking. Also leaking.

Both of them. At the same time.

I stood there for a moment just taking it in. You have to laugh really. You absolutely have to laugh. The universe has a magnificent sense of timing and it never misses. I've seen it happen with lawnmowers, I've seen it happen with strimmers, and now apparently the pond has decided to join in the fun.

But wait. We're not done.

The UVs as Well

While I was investigating the filter situation I thought I'd check everything over properly. And lo and behold — both UV units have packed up too. Both of them. Gone. Not a flicker. Just sitting there completely dead, like they'd had a little meeting and agreed to retire together without telling me.

Four things. Two filters leaking, two UVs deceased. All in the same week.

I said to Sara, I said — Sara, the pond is having a moment. She gave me that look. You'll know the look if you're married. The one that says I'm very sympathetic but also not remotely surprised. She's been married to me long enough to know that when something goes wrong in this house or garden, it rarely comes alone.

So it's been a week of getting on the phone, going online, sourcing parts, waiting for deliveries. The joy of pond ownership in full glorious technicolour. The fish are fine by the way, before anyone worries. They're absolutely fine and looking at me with what I can only describe as mild contempt while I sort it all out.

Happy Easter 

Anyway. In amongst all the pond drama I did want to take a moment to wish every single one of you a very happy Easter. I genuinely mean that. Whether you're Christian, whether you just love a long weekend, whether Easter for you means chocolate and a good film — whatever it means to you — I hope it's a lovely one.

It's one of those times of year that always feels hopeful to me. Spring is doing its thing out there, everything is growing, the days are getting longer and the plots are full of potential. There's something almost magical about an Easter weekend in the garden when the weather plays ball.

And that's rather the problem this year.

Storm David— Look After Yourselves

Storm David is due today and tomorrow and while the worst of it looks to be tracking over Scotland — and my thoughts are very much with our friends up there, that's some serious weather heading their way — it's going to be windy down here too. Properly windy. The kind of windy where you look out the window and think right, let's not bother.

So please, if you're planning a big Easter gardening session — be careful. Secure anything that could blow. Don't be wrestling fleece in a force eight. Your back will never forgive you and at our age that's three weeks on the sofa. Trust me on this one.

The plots will still be there on the other side of the storm. They're not going anywhere. A bit of patience is all that's needed.

Cobs in the Kitchen

Which brings me rather neatly to where I am right now. Stuck in the kitchen. Happily so, I will say — I'm not complaining one bit. There's something very satisfying about a day in the kitchen when the world outside is doing its worst. Sara has the place in good order, the radio is on, and I am making cobs.

Proper cobs. Big, soft, floury ones. The kind that make a ham sandwich feel like an event rather than just a lunch. There are worse ways to spend a windy Easter Saturday than up to your elbows in dough, I can tell you that for nothing.

And when it all blows through and we get a dry spell, we'll be back up on those plots quick as a flash. Plenty to be getting on with. The season doesn't stop just because the weather throws a wobble — it just makes you wait, and then you go at it twice as hard.

Until then — stay safe, stay warm, eat chocolate, and have a wonderful Easter.

More very soon. Get those cobs buttered.