Butterflies but no bees

I'm walking regularly again. Did I mention my broken leg? All more or less mended now.

This morning in Acres Field I saw an inordinate number of black and white butterflies. But no bees...

Magpies

Jill and Jasper go walking every day. Here's what we wonder about...

Magpies

While walking the dog yesterday I noticed one magpie. While searching the sky, unsuccessfully, for its mate, to bring joy, I failed to notice Jasper vigorously rolling in sheep's poo - sorrow indeed.

Later, I saw three more. So was that three, or should I have added them to the original sighting which would make it four? I can't think of anyone I know who is expecting a baby right now. Which is a good thing, really, as I'd be confused as to whether it was going to be a girl or a boy or twins - one of each.

Actually, my mum always said Two for a letter, Three for something better. As a very young child, and unconcerned with rhyme, I interpreted that as Three for a parcel - to me that was definitely better than a letter. 

Where does the untold secret come in? Must look the thing up.

Sheep

Today I kept a watch out for overturned sheep. Found one the other day and managed to get it upright and untangled from a bramble bush. Yesterday I met a voluntary shepherd (my sister in law Rachel says they are called Lookers) who had found two trapped in thorny undergrowth. She managed to get them out after calling the warden who told her to be as rough as she liked, so she pulled and pushed harder. I think the farmer may have to clear some of the thorn bushes. They're pretty nasty things to get caught in if you're covered in fleece.

Sheep are strange. They see you coming, look very scared and then run towards you. When they realise what they're doing they panic and run back to where they've come from - which is where you're going to. 

Jasper was a bit wary of them at first - there is a large flock on Acres Field where we walk most days - but is getting used to them now. I don't know if he'd ever seen sheep before, but he was definitely as scared of them as they were of him. Now he keeps a wary eye on them, but doesn't cower away.

Cycle paths

I think I'm going to write a letter to the Argus, our local paper, about the ridiculous situation with cycle paths in Brighton and Hove. What on earth is the point of a cycle path that ends, suddenly, with no continuation in sight? What is the point of a cycle path that narrows to a few inches every time there is a bollard in the middle of the road? What is the point of a cycle path that is used by motorists as a narrow parking lane - because there is no parking restriction on that part of Dyke Road.

If we're going to have cycle paths, of which I approve, then we should do it properly, so that we can let our children use them, confident that they are as safe as they can be. Cycle paths should be protected where possible from other traffic by a kerb or something similar; they should be everywhere; they should be clearly marked with signs to show where and when cyclists should give priority to other road users or where they take precedence; they should not end abruptly.

We have a Green council. They could do something really innovative in our city. Improving cycle paths would make the roads safer for motorists, too.

Magpies Again

According to Wikipaedia it's:

One for sorrow

Two for joy

Three for a girl

Four for a boy

Five for silver

Six for gold

Seven for a secret

Never to be told

This seems to be the most popular form of the rhyme. Although there is mention of letters, the devil, heaven, death, mirth and birth in other versions, I haven't found one that features 'Something better'. Perhaps that is just my mum's preference. The rhyme also appears to relate to crows, too.