I was up early today. Pendragon brought me a heart warming cup of redbush tea, and a happy hug,before heading off in the sunshine,to work. I wanted to leave as soon as possible,as I was going to The Shop of the Jolly Green Woodman to find some gardening materials. It is only about a mile away from Dingley Dell, but the journey goes in to the countryside,and the shop itself is surrounded by trees and woodland greenery.At the door of the shop the Jolly Green Woodman has built a small bird sanctuary.When you arrive and walk up the path towards the door, you can watch all manner of birdlife feeding on the available treats hung up for them, quite oblivious to the audience of faery folk ,gathered there to see them. Blue tits, thrushes, robins and a fair share of dunnocks were in attendance today.Despite the blue sky and sunny aspect ,it was still cold, so I stood watching this morning, well wrapped up in my warm black cape and two woolly scarves. Inside I gathered a range of treats for my own birds back home. Fat balls,fat pieces, sunflower seeds and some berry suet filled the green basket to the brim,plus a new holder for the fat treats. I then collected some new garden plants to refresh some of the patio pots,and the largest pot I could find to re-pot my rhododendron bush. My trolley was full now,so I paid for my purchases and loaded them in the four wheeled electric carriage. I had browsed through everything in the shop,so was amazed to find that when I consulted the sun dial in the shop garden that it was just past noon. Definitely time for A Jolly Woodman Tearoom lunch. The restaurant was full of happy faery shoppers,but I managed to find a table in the corner where I could sit quietly, but observe the rest of my fellow diners discreetly. I feel you have probably guessed by now,that I am a bit of a people watcher. Pendragon laughingly calls me a "wee snoop", but none of my observations are used to upset or denigrate anyone. They add to my knowledge of the rich tapestry of faery life. There were 17 tables in the tearoom ,and all of them weighed down by the amazing array of healthy goodies chosen by the faery shoppers. I chose a hearty bowl of broccoli and pea soup,piping hot, and a herb scone, piece of carrot cake and a pot of tea,holding four good cups. A faery king's ransom, and more than enough of a feast for a small rainbow faery. Not so small if I keep having lunch at the Tearoom. Behind me ,two gnomes were attacking large platefuls of turnips and greens,with wedges of rye bread well buttered. I was close enough not to be able to avoid hearing their conversation. They were extolling the virtues of their woodland life,sharing stories of which trees they had felled and how many logs they had split.I laughed inwardly till the subject turned to their efforts to rid themselves of a family of moles,currently living on their home patch. Oh,the horror
of these two mole hill wreckers! As they pounded their fists on the table, and punched the air in their attempts to put their point of view, it was all I could do to hold myself back from calling out to them "Idle gnomes are just as much of a blight on Faery society as those wee dark velvet poppets that you are making a fuss about "I know moles can be a problem,digging as they please,but I am sure a little
mutual understanding and negotiation would help enormously. In our faery world there must be room for everyone. Looking round,many of the tearoom eaters were gnomes and faery folk of a certain age,taking time in the prime of their lives to get themselves in tune with the nature around them.Across from me an ageing witch and warlock were demolishing the fruity buns. The warlock was reading through the Daily Scandal,while his witchy partner sat in her single wheely seat, watching the sun streaming through the window. A mother elf and two little sprites were looking through their purchases ,as a shaky old wizard,teeterd in ,carrying his Spells and Concoctions tome for Growing Fine Turnips,underneath his arm .
His familiar, an equally sleepy St. Bernard, saw to his every need,pouring him a glass of water,wiping the cheesy mayonnaise off his purple tunic,slicing his fish tail quiche, and nuzzling him occasionally in the ribs, when his head fell forward in temporary slumber, into his butterbur salad. I finished the last few crumbs of my carrot slice and headed for the Indoor section,buying up seeds and seed pots, before finally heading back home. I surveyed the pile of goodies on my return,deciding I may have spent too much. By the time Pendragon notices, I'll have honed my reasons to an irrefutable perfection and he will decide that we needed everything and didn't I get a good deal ? As I was walking up the toadstool path, I finally met the next door faery, new to number four. We exchanged hellos,names, and a few tentative smiles. She seems more careworn than I had at first noted,and definitely has a story to tell. She was very reticent in giving any details about herself,so I just tried to be friendly and put her at her ease.We will talk again,I know, now that we have broken the ice. She is several degrees more amenable as a neighbour than Gumble ever was, and will make Pendragon's day,when she cuts the grass tomorrow.I hope she will settle in well to Dingley Dell life,and find a happy home here. Best wishes to you all in your lifetime labours,my friends,and happy tearoom days . From Amarantha, the Rainbow Faery.