An interesting cloud formation this morning, a little bit of sun now and again but very very cold, although that is to be expected. We now have the days of the Ice Saints. I do not know which countries have these icy guys hanging around, but they are a cool bunch in Switzerland. It all began with St. Mamartus yesterday and today we have St. Pancras. Tomorrow it will be St. Servatius and it all ends on Friday with the cold Sophie. I remember the Sophie well, as it was my mother-in-law’s name. Although Spring sprung some time ago, the ice saints live up to their name and we often have a cold spell at the beginning of May. There is a cold wind blowing and time to wear a light jacket again.

The cold spell does not seem to deter the slugs and there is always a kamikaze troop that explore the food reserves. I found this guy slugging its was on the top of one of my raised beds. How he got there I do not know as it is quite a climb. He looked quite determined, but his days are numbered. I am prepared to fight the battle and sprinkle my slug pellets regularly.

I visited the store yesterday and they still have their promotion for garden help. I had enough points for yet a third insect house which I have now installed in my front garden. I must say the articles are quite good quality. I already have three watering cans and two sets of garden tools. The offer is finished on 15th May, so I still have time for more, although I no longer need more. I have even collected a few items for my grandson, naturally under his mother’s supervision.

If things continued upwards in Switzerland, it will not be long before I see my No. 2 son and his family again.

The lockdown rules have now been relaxed in Switzerland and the stores in the shopping mall have now re-opened, although I really only visit for groceries. However it is good to see a little normal return. The children also returned to school yesterday. We still have to keep our distance and there are limits to visitors in the stores, but I have had no problem. Things are now returning to the new norm here and our government are still keeping an eye on things. Our Covid cases are receding. Today I saw an online report about how things are progressing in various European countries, but no mention of Switzerland. We are probably too small for their statistics and uninteresting. I am still being cautious and have no desire to mix with the others in restaurants or department stores.

Today was actually a day of cleaning lady visit, but she has health problems at the moment and cancelled for this week. I will be off on a visit to the local car authorities this afternoon. I still have my original driving licence which is almost 40 years old. It is the old paper version and they have now been replaced by the plastic card with photo. I have time to renew it, but it must happen until 2022. After a search yesterday I found the last photos I had done which are only a year old and will take them along this afternoon to have the licence replaced. Mr. Swiss already has the new one for some time and said it takes only a few minutes and you get it at once.

And now to depart and continue my daily routine. I have a few windows to clean, but nothing drastic. Have a good day everyone, see you later. Will leave you with a glance at my iris in the garden which are developing very well.