An impulse purchase

I didn’t think archery would be on at The Crooked Billet this morning, it being a bit on the windy side. That said, it was calm when we left the house, so it seemed reasonable to take a look. If nothing else, it would reduce the chance of cabin fever setting in.

Upon arriving at the pub, it was still a disappointment that there were no archers on the field. However, the dearth of clientele meant that we could enjoy a late breakfast in the most pleasing room The Crooked Billet has.

As we had been pulling into the car park, my daughter remarked how waterlogged the field across the road was. I’m pleased that she was engaged in her surroundings rather than just going through the motions of being with me. It would have been a tad more difficult to have reached the church we visited in that field last month, though.

The watery theme continued on the way home, as I decided to look in at

which we had already passed a number of times on the way to archery. I had in my mind the need for water snails to oxygenate my pond but there didn’t appear to be any here. I’m a bit shy about asking, so I could have been mistaken, but I didn’t leave empty-handed in any case.

Normally, I would do my research and then consider before laying out any cash. On this occasion, though, I didn’t want to walk away from a small business, with every intention of going back but not making it before the goods had been purchased elsewhere.

Besides, the gentleman who I assume runs the business seems to know what he’s talking about. So, the first plant I purchased was a water hawthorn (Aponogeton distachyum), which should provide flowers in spring and autumn. The second, waterweed (Elodea canadensis), should provide oxygen to keep the water healthy.

Perhaps the dwarf waterlily that went in the pond last spring will come back to life and provide some kind of role, too. It might even flower this year – but even if it doesn’t, I expect it no longer matters.