Phew – just made it!

Phew – just made it! I have been trying to write my monthly blog for the last couple of weeks but life got in the way 😁 It’s been an eventful month, our gorgeous granddaughter was born on 21st, mother in-law was chucked out of her assessment care home, back to her unsuitable flat. My brand new car broke down twice and is currently at the garage causing huge issues for me. I have an abscess, on my tooth and some very unpleasant tests awaiting me this week to find the cause of my severe acid reflux. Could it perhaps be stress? 😂

Apart from all that, I did manage to get to the BTS show and it was a lovely day out. The sun was shining and I was treated like a VIP, escorted out of the very long queue and told that I should have walked straight in. There were lots of hugs and kisses for “the ex-bug lady” and people were giving me gifts too! What a super day. I went home with some beautiful caterpillars and scorpions. I must admit that my old bug room does have quite a few live creatures in there now 🤣

The BTS (British Tarantula Society) show was an amazing event with literally thousands of people attending this year. Thankfully the venue is huge and can accommodate this vast number without any issues, outside there are open fields and many people were enjoying picnics. It was our daughter’s due date so I kept checking my phone but all was well and we didn’t have to take Milo along as he stayed with his other Nanna. I don’t think it would have been quite so relaxing with an active two year old in tow.

I have an old scar and it is very tight, I had this great idea ages ago that perhaps I should try leech treatment on it (to improve the blood flow and soften it up). You probably know that I have lots of great ideas and most turn out to be bonkers but not all of them. Anyway, I bought myself two leeches at the show, they are doing well and are surprisingly cute. Just in case anyone remembers, yes, I did buy a leech a couple of years ago and never managed to get the courage to actually put it on me but I will this time, I promise! Not this week, I think I have enough going on but I will put an update on next month’s blog and perhaps my Facebook page (if it goes well). I’m not sure how to contain the leeches, they are very active. I could end up with one stuck to my hand if I don’t get it right. More research is needed!

Back to my favourite subject, my adorable grandkids, we now have three and I doubt there will be anymore, two beautiful boys and a gorgeous girl, just perfect. It was mum in-laws birthday this week and we had a little tea party at our house yesterday. I was sitting on the sofa with one week old Delilah on my lap while rubbing mum-in-laws back as she sat next to me. Three months in hospital with a broken hip has done her no favours but I will be back to battling social services for extra help on Monday (tomorrow). I am working hard to look after everyone, Delilah was over ten pounds so my daughter certainly needs some help (she does of course have her super fiancée). The highlight of the afternoon was when I was helping mum to the toilet and she said “I feel like I’m 90” and I said “that’s because you are 90”, we all started laughing.

I have only seen the one stag beetle so far this year, it was swimming in my hedgehog bowl. Thank goodness it was fine, a magnificent specimen, I absolutely love them. My wildlife garden is doing well, our wildlife camera captures so much. Fingers crossed for baby hedgehogs soon, we certainly have a male/female pair visiting regularly. I don’t want to disturb any so I can’t open their houses to sneak a look but fingers crossed!

One day I will remember to read last month’s blog before I start writing the next. I have just re-read April’s so here’s the update 😄

Milo’s Curly Hair tarantula is now called Fluffy and has been successfully re-housed into a larger tank.

We have re-lined and restored my main pond. Everything is thriving, frogs, newts and plenty of water bugs. The boys loved rearing tadpoles from spawn to froglets and they have now been released into the wildlife garden.

The local reptile survey that my husband and I take part in each year, will be finishing this week. Unfortunately, this year and last have been very similar, a few common lizards and slow worms but no sign of any snakes. I fear the wet winters have taken their toll, I’m hoping that the adders and grass snakes seen previously, have just moved onto another area but it’s very sad. The weather certainly does appear to be changing, I’m fed up with watering our gardens every day. I think I might try planting cacti next year! Joking apart, I really like cacti and I have dotted some around the garden in pots, they look great and just occasionally sprout beautiful flowers.