Well hello again,
I've written recently about 'Leaping into March' and now here, in a very real sense, is exactly where we are. That's always a good place to be ;-)
Right from the start, March has a plethora of patron Saints days and we celebrated both St David's and St Piran's in turn, with leeks in cheese sauce and then saffron buns.
Saffron buns spread with Rhoddas clotted cream of course. Yum. And once toasted with pilchards on top, also yum.
Winter carbohydrate feasts absolutely must end now though, as fresh green herbs, wild garlic and raw vegetables take their place. Springtime is definitely happening even if it doesn't totally feel like it yet.
The elder trees are in leaf, so are some of the hawthorn and brambles. Willow and hazel are in bud, white and green. A pair of magpies are reinforcing their substantial nest structure high up in the cherry tree. Pigeons and blackbirds are mating. Foxes have been heard wailing at night, and all sort of other creatures are coming out to play. Owls and badgers, finches and rooks. Buzzard and kestrel.
Temperate Maritime
If you live elsewhere and ever wonder what it's like on the Isle of Wight in winter then I shall tell you. Yes, there are fewer people around, but only a small number of businesses shut up for the off season. Slightly worrying, perhaps more so in recent years. The temperate maritime climate tends to be benign. It rarely snows, and then not much. ‘Soft hail’ was the event of last month. We do tend to have gale force winds and lashing rain sometimes, but then lots of days with big blue skies and winter sunshine as well. Overnight ground frosts may or may not happen towards the end of the year. Powerful waves smash against the coast at high tide. Coastal and river flooding can and does occur in vulnerable places. Most people carry on doing outdoor things. Hiking, nature watching, gardening, house repairs, cycling and yes swimming in the sea. Not just the surfers.
People with dogs and some smokers happily sit nursing a pint outside the pub even as it starts to drizzle with rain and passers-by have their hoods up. Weekends and school holidays are a little bit busier than the baseline occupancy, not a lot. That's all I'm saying, just to give an idea. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any specific curiosities.
Yarmouth Sunday 10th
The best ever hosts at the Wheatsheaf Inn, Yarmouth have kept up their programme of live music all through the winter, and even ramped it up a bit. This is great for local musicians trying to make a year round living and I'm happy to be playing again this coming Sunday 10th at the usual time of 3-5pm
It can't be long before we can entertain outdoors in the structures of the beer garden again. I'm particularly looking forward to the cider and music festival in May.
Newport Friday 22nd
And how is the One Man Show coming along then Andy?
Well, why don't you come and see for yourself?
Where: in Newport, IOW at MusicCraftCIC 98 High Street
When on Friday 22nd March from 7pm
What Preview of excerpts from ‘Boulevard Days - the One Man Show’
Limited seating bookable at: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/andyroberts/
And now I shall press the big shiny “publish” button from my plush economy class seat aquaplaning across the Solent on board the Red Jet from Southampton. Ready? …….
SplishsploshVrooom!
Andy