As February 2nd (Candlemass Day) was fair and bright in the Aylesbury Vale, I’m sorry to say but winter has had another flight and we witnessed snow and a very cold snap of -6 the following week, but in Scotland it achieved the coldest temperature ever at -25 – serves them right for beating us in the opening game of the Six Nations Rugby and winning the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham!

March is a month of many weathers bringing cold snaps from the East and sometimes some nice bright, sunny days too. The March winds will be much needed this year to dry up the very waterlogged Vale of Aylesbury fields. It was almost a year ago when we were first introduced to the world of lockdown and really 2020 was a big non-event. With most sporting activities postponed and our social lives taking a massive stay indoors approach,
we were grateful to have finally said goodbye to last year, but unfortunately the second wave has hit much harder.

In my Christmas article around 60,000 people had died through COVID-19 but within two/three months that number has doubled! Two million people were infected at Christmas but that is now way over four million! Thank God the vaccination program has been a success and at writing over 15 million people have now been vaccinated. This is the best way out of lockdown and hopefully by April I think we will see the gradual return of
somewhat normality. However, it will be far different than the normality before, as I can see face masks and social distancing still in place for the rest of the year. It has made most of us think twice about popping in to see our neighbours, family and friends as nobody knows if we are infected. If we all act as if we have COVID-19 and be cautious then hopefully we will survive. It has been tough for everyone from the younger generation that cannot attend school and socialise, to the elderly that have left somewhat isolated in their homes.

At writing, there are still new infections of COVID-19 in our area so it’s not over yet, we just need to learn to live with it. Mother’s Day is on Sunday March 14th, so don’t forget to treat your mother (everyday not just on Mother’s Day) and to put your clocks forward on 28th March when we will be into British Summer Time – unfortunately that night we lose an hour’s sleep.

Easter is a movable feast and this year Easter Sunday is on April 4th. I love Easter with all the chocolate eggs, chicks, lambs and hot cross buns, and don’t forget it’s also the time to plant your seed potatoes too.

As spring is the time for nesting birds and new-born wildlife, a seasonal reminder, to keep your dogs under control especially around the stock at this important time. Cows and calves are very dangerous at this time if disturbed and many people have been injured and even killed by letting their dogs run loose in these situations. The mad March hares will be boxing to establish their territories and the birds will be all a flutter pairing up to find a suitable mate. It is also the time of the blackthorn winter. This is when the black thorn hedges come into a lovely white flower generally signalling cold weather. Heavy snow has also fallen at this time, so once again don’t forget to be cautious especially by delaying putting out your bedding plants until May.

The sporting calendar has already kicked off with the new ‘no crowd’ Rugby Six Nations where England lost to Scotland, but we bounced back by beating Italy. Last year Cheltenham was controversially held moments before lockdown and was said to be responsible for a surge in COVID-19 in that area but that just shows that life is a gamble. I heard that someone who never left his home all year contracted the virus may be from something that was delivered, so please be extra careful. There will be time for celebrations but not just yet. I would be very cautious about travelling abroad this year so try and support our own struggling economy by visiting the wonderful places in the UK instead.

There is a light at the end of this long dark tunnel and the warmer weather will help making us all feel so much better and by being cautious and sensible I’m sure we will all soon be allowed to once again enjoy an outside meal with our family and friends. That’s the added bonus of global warming, we get better summers!

Stay safe and enjoy your spring

The Countryman