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 |  A third blog? A good idea? A fresh start? A disaster? An omen? ...who knows anything? |
| My house has two quite hazardous steps into the front yard and will in time need replacing. By the side of the steps is a small gravelled area between a wall and the side of the house. When I first moved in there was a large, unidentifiable plant in this spot but as it was neither attractive or practical I decided to have it removed even though I don't like destroying things. My son brought his shears and spent s therapeutic afternoon lopping off branches and digging up the remaining root which has actually been recycled into a modern day abstract garden statue. However he couldn't take the debris away as it was a Sunday and the local tip was closed. The next time my sister visited she very kindly offered to bag up all the branches and remains ready to dispose of at a later date. As I was making lunch for us in the kitchen I heard her squeal then laugh so went outside to investigate. Seems the biggest toad you've ever seen had decided to take residence underneath the rubble. It didn't move or make any sound but it was obviously alive if not kicking so we gently placed one of the sacks on top of it. Over the next few weeks I gradually got rid of the unwanted sacks of rubbish, but every time I looked toady was still underneath the one we'd covered him with. Eventually he disappeared so assuming he'd found s new residence I got rid of the last sack and raked over the now empty patch making it even and ready for weedkiller and gravel before planting new climbers. The following week after hauling one of my dustbins up the steps ready for emptying I looked down and there was toady who had obviously taken up new residence under the bins. The following day he'd disappeared again. I've been waiting for a dry day to spray the area with weedkiller as there's some unwanted ivy taken root and yesterday I thought I'd hit lucky. However I noticed a rather large, gravel covered lump has appeared in the newly raked patch and looking at its dimensions it is certainly toady sized. I'm not an expert on reptiles, but I believe toads hibernate and I have a feeling said lump may contain a sleeping toad. I daren't prod or poke it for fear of discovering something I don't like or disturbing toady and no one else is willing to take on the task. Neither dare I spray the weedkiller as I'd hate to be responsible for a poisoned toad, if indeed he is under there. Seems there's nothing for it but to leave any plans for next spring when hopefully toady will have awoken and moved on and I can get on with my spraying and planting. Of course, with my favourite time of year approaching I too feel tempted to hibernate, but not under gravel with a big fat toad for company. |
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