Monday, September 12, 2011

Carefree rhythms .





It's hot . All the village houses have their shutters firmly closed to block out the sun . However , here at the rickety old farmhouse the shutters are kept resolutely open . This , according to 'the font ' is so that the bats , and their young , can sleep contentedly in the shade behind them . Bats it seems eat 600 insects an hour . There are literally hundreds of them behind our shutters which may explain why we have no mosquitoes in the garden . A bug free poolside in return for open shutters seems a pretty good trade-off .

Across the road the old farmer has now finished putting up the row of coloured Christmas lights around the eaves of his house . Mid - morning and he can be seen clambering up a ladder , carefully training an electrical cable through his climbing nicotina plants . At this rate it can't be too long before the lights are turned on and the village turns into a minitaure Coney Island . Thankfully, there's no sign yet of the huge Christmas star . Walking home with Wilf ' the font ' notices that our neighbour is working feverishly in his garage with what looks like ancient welding equipment .

Exhausted after an early morning trip into town for croissants and cakes , Wilf decides that sleep is a priority . Most of Sunday is spent dozing either in the hallway or on the shaded front doorstep . 23 hours of naps . The carefree rhythms of an old dogs life .

11 comments:

  1. I think the bats would have to build their own house!

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  2. Maybe you need to install some bat houses. We have some around here and the bats seem to like them. It might be a fair trade off!

    Oh, to be able to nap 23 hours a day! Wilf, I envy you!

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  3. never knew there were bat houses. how cool! you get to use your shutters and still protect your little bats. 'til then... kudos to the font for safeguarding the wee mosquito eating fellows.
    i've been retired for 5 yrs (i'm 66) and am just now learning the pleasure of a nap.
    good for you willfee. i think we'll live longer and prosper because of our naps!
    though... 23 hours might be a bit too much for me!!
    i love you little guy,
    tammy j

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  4. I have bats all around my west coast cottage, but they haven't yet succeeded in eating all the midges...

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  5. The Bat Conservation Trust tells us that bats in the garden show that you have a green, healthy environment. Bless the The Font. A good person, to be sure.
    Oh Angus, your favorite, the big Christmas star, might soon be shining brightly through your window. With the lights in place, can the star be far behind?
    A day of napping might do wonders for all of us. Wilf is just smarter than we are. He allows himself to do what he needs to feel his best. When do we ever do that? Our love to all.
    P.S. The china is absolutely beautiful. I love it!

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  6. Not sure if I would be as hospitable to the bats if they wanted to live behind our shutters. :) I am very happy for the barns that two of our neighbors have because the bats have good homes there AND they come into our yard to eat at night. The best of both worlds. Hugs for Wilf.

    Blessings and Love,
    Janelle and Maggie Mae

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  7. Enjoy the slow, hot days of lingering summer Wilf! Winter comes soon enough and with that, perhaps a little more spring in one's step? Cooler temps always makes our clan happier! Keep on going Wilf, darling boy!

    With love from your Canadian pals,
    Dianna along with Tor, Willow and Tucker

    P.S. Could we have a taste of both tarts please? Tails are wagging in anticipation!

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  8. Ohhh, I love that balcony! So pretty. Those tarts are making me hungry. Wilf as always looks fab. Best wishes to you.
    B

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  9. Long live the bats! I'm with the font on this one!

    Ah, sweet Wilf - so contented in his family.

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  10. Your balcony is so pretty!

    Soooooooo, are the bats just going to live indefinitely? It's nice that they eat all those insects but I really wouldn't want them living at my house.

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