Watty's Awakening

Watty1

Love your suggestions. Slinky reminded me I needed to find some swallow cups to replace the damaged nests from last year (either very poor builders or a lack of clay) so have bought just one to see what it was like on line - and then - this evening the first of the swallows has returned and was sitting on a stable beam.

I cannot begin to explain the absolute joy this gave me. And how happy I am to see the swallows back.

PennysIntoPounds

That is an absolute delight, I'm beaming just hearing about it 😊🥂

Greying_Pilgrim

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81966249#Comment_81966249

Me too!

I was amazed (but delighted) to see a couple of swallows and maybe a housemartin last week, when on hols. But they've not made it to 'here' yet - but yes, 'joy' is exactly the right word. They're "back", and for a brief moment, everything is right in the world…….

Thanks for letting us know 'Apollo' * is back with you Watty.

Greying X

*Julia Donaldson wrote a Children's book about 'Apollo the Swallow' - based on swallows migration to/from Africa and the game of 'chinese whispers'.

daisy_1571

We noticed one flying about end of last week when we were having a cuppa in the garden. Id looked it up and they shouldn't be here till very end Apr for the leaders and mid May for most. Luckily I hadn't checked so we've had dangly cds in the porch for a few weeks. Didn't want them returning to nest on the tiniest light we have above front door. Last year we didn't realise till they'd put a couple of twigs up and we obviously had to leave them. Had our gates chained up with a notice directing folk round to back door for more than 4 months till we were absolutely sure they were away and not using it. Lovely to have them, lovely they raised 3 chicks, less lovely the mess all down our front door and the walls as they flew around, less lovely the parents dive bombing out the gates whenever we had the temerity to walk past 😆 and I wasn't keen on advertising to tge world to come into my back garden.

This year we wanted to make sure they didn't start a nest as I would hate any wasted effort on their part. Such glorious little birds

Cherryfudge

I think I want to move into Watty's barn, it's going to be wonderful for wildlife.

I've not yet seen swallows this year: the swifts are due soon and centre their flights around the end of our road, but swallows don't come within sight of our house. I keep hoping…

daisy_1571

According to merlin we have swifts, shallows and barn swallows. They are so quick its really hard to see the markings so it was nice to get merlins ideas

Watty1

How lovely, so many of you are happy with the return of "Apollo the Swallow". They have been here most years since I moved here but PPH always grumbled about the mess, so I did not experience the joy with them I have today. (He also evicted some which made me really angry). Because it is the hay barn and the stables I just put some horse bedding underneath so I can sweep up easily so the mess is not an issue.

I just need to be more diligent keeping the feed room and tack room doors shut so they do not nest in those two places. (Last year one did so when they left I removed the nest and gave myself a firm talking to about shutting doors which hopefully will last).

Off to the village now to collect cash for boot repairs as they are being returned today.

Watty1

Boots returned. They are like new. Now the repairs might have been expensive at £95 but that is cheap for new boots of this quality and they will probably last another 10 years.

Whilst getting the cash I popped into the village charity shop and bought a pair of jeans for £1 as I want to use the denim to patch VNM's working jeans. Shop had an "everything at £1" sale on but I could not actually find anything else I wanted. Put the jeans in the washing machine and proudly informed VNM I was very good at this money saving lark.

Not sure why but there was hysterical laughter from him.😂 I left the kitchen before he could mention 3 horses and associated costs.

Cherryfudge

Boots are brilliant value especially if you get ten years out of them at less than £10 a year.

I would have said 3 horses are, unless you are a multi-millionaire, absolute proof you are good at handling money. 🐎🐎🐎£££ 😁

greenbee

Boots are VERY good value. My very expensive boots were unrepairable as the way the leather is treated means that once it has split there is nothing that can be done.