In Corrogue

The sun room is my
Rain room – restful patter -plash
Of April showers.

This week in Corrogue

Springtime beckons visitors. This week my writing friend Helen came from Yorkshire for a break. That it was typical April showery weather did not dampen her holiday. She was content to lie on the ‘sun lounger’ in Shannon Park’s conservatory and be lulled by the sound of raindrops on the glass roof.

Like me, Helen is fair skinned. “I like rain. I know people think that is strange but I am fair skinned. Too much sun makes me uncomfortable.” Helen and I are in unity about this. I am also one of those strange people who appreciate rainfall and a temperate climate. Too much sun and I get itchy and irritable.

This week we are still getting frosty nights and early mornings but the sun is warming up the earth. I finally tackled the polytunnel to get ready for some late sowing. ‘Late’ is a relative term. I could have sowed seeds and watched them creep along in germination. Intuitively, I know that the climate is more benign now. It is a kindness to hold back and let nature dictate the timing rather than rely on a calendar. Last year I went by the book. I sowed basil and then waited and waited and waited for it to germinate and begin to leaf. When I talked to one of my fellow students on the horticulture course they noticed that their basil was ‘standing still’ too.

It was too early and the poor plant was struggling. This year I am practising plant compassion. The polytunnel is now warm enough to nurture them so long as the door is kept closed for part of the day to help retain the heat to get through the cold nights.

In the meantime, while the rain slashes our field I am weeding, digging, manuring and preparing the ground for them. The raindrops pound on the polythene greenhouse. Rain is my companion and sings its own April song. After the extremely dry winter it is reassuring to hear a gurgle and glug in drainage ditches.

Water is so precious. So I bless the rain and welcome it.

© 2006 Bee Smith