I looked forward to the new lockdown rules which will begin on 4th May. Some business have been allowed to open, a few more shops will open and bars and restaurants will be able to do takeaways from their door instead of delivering. As of yesterday people are allowed to walk more than 200 metres from their houses. Masks must still be worn whenever we are out.
None of this will make much difference to me. There are no restaurants near me and I have been fortunate enough to be able to walk outside from the beginning as Casa Debbio is remote and surrounded by forest. Our nearest neighbour is a 10 minute walk away.
I will wait patiently for the next announcement of a relaxation of restrictions.
In the meantime the garden has been growing at Casa Debbio. We have had more rain which should move things along. Peonies are appearing every day.
I love the crowns left behind once the peony flowers are finished.
The wisteria vines are beginning to lose flowers and the leaves are appearing. The flowers have been stunning this year.
There are a few different types of wisteria growing. This one is very pretty.
You can see in this photo that the lavender and rosemary along the driveway are starting to grow.
The plants lower down have already begun to send up flowers.
The driveway up to the house is now lined with leafy trees.
Tiny cherries are growing on the trees.
The weeping cherry is growing daily.
Hydrangea flowers are beginning to appear.
Roses are growing.
Wildflowers are growing on the old dry stone walls.
Ricotta flowers are now creamy white and look like lovely pom-poms.
I love this view from the terrace beside the house.
A snake just like this cruised past me while I was reading the other day. I am not afraid of snakes, but I like them to keep their distance.
Wild animals are still tormenting me. Every morning when I do my tour of the garden I find something eaten, pulled up, sat on or destroyed. Yesterday our tiny black walnut tree which had just grown a couple of leaves was chewed off to the main trunk, just a stick really. I hope it survives. A small animal, probably a fox climbed onto my bed in the garden and left behind a dent in its shape, squashing all beneath it.
The animals are worse this year because there is usually much more activity in the forest around me with walkers and bike riders. Usually by now they have moved further up the mountain to avoid people. Because of lockdown the animals have become more bold and roam my garden at night looking for ways to annoy me.
I picked some flowers today.
I put them behind my kitchen sink to brighten up the dullest of all household jobs.
Stay well and stay home.