The sunshine this afternoon brought our neighbours out in full force at various junctures. I made a short trip to Brigantia to collect some essentials, from my former toadstool home and ended up doing some weeding there for an hour. Back in Dingley Dell I stopped off at the Hypermercantile for some milk, fresh fruit and some jelly beans and completed my shopping expedition with a bowl of carrot and coriander consomme in the cafe next door. Then home to tidy our cosy lounge ,and do a little entrepreneurial business on my electronic box. I was drawn to look outside by the heat coming through the window,and spotted Mimsey Dagwort from number 10, walking past our front greenery. carrying half her clothing under her arm. Half may be a slight exaggeration but judging by the perspiration on her cheeks,and the redness of her countenance she had been sitting somewhere warm. Mimsey travels to and from the Metropolis every day,on the local tram service, and I suspect today she had taken a window seat. She was still wearing a vest top and a billowing blue skirt, but her work uniform of navy jacket, white tunic and scarf, was under her arm. She was puffing a little hard too as she struggled towards the door. Poor Mimsey ! I suspect the minute she got inside she downed a gallon of cold water,stripped down to her cotton bloomers and put on her sun hat. Conjuring up this picture does bring a smile. Meanwhile there also seemed to be some action at number six. Weedy Primpole was setting out to walk the wildebeests, or rather the wildebeests were walking Weedy. His arms must be at least six inches longer after one of those excursions. In this heat he must have found it quite difficult to keep up any pace. I decided that maybe my young plants and seedlings might like a good soaking so I headed off to find the watering can. Everything received a decent spray from seedlings to blossoming plants, and by the time I went to the back garden, the sound of merry voices on the other side of the fence signalled that Weedy had returned. Not a very long walk then,Weedy !
Woofing and barking first, then I heard Woody's voice calling the usual "stop that, stop that right now". The beasts never listen to him, but then neither does Severity. I was now watering the spot directly opposite that part of the fence with some open slats. If I peered carefully,while continuing to water, I could see the merrymaking at number 6. There was Weedy, now in his shorts,-big,baggy green shorts,and his top was OFF. His bare flabby chest was on show for all to see. A tin of cold ale sat on the oaken outdoor table, and the Daily Scandal was stuck in front of his nose. I swallowed a large swallow,hoping he was not glued to the problem page. Severity emerged from indoors to join him. She was clad in summer vestments too. A bright orange top,directly clashing with her bright orange hair, pink knee length capri pants and she seemed to be teetering on a pair of heeled sparky flip flops. My first impression was that there seemed to be rather too much of Severity and too little of the fabric in her choice of summer vestments. She laid her mug on the oaken table,and sat down, staring towards the fence. I felt the burning of a pair of black eyes on the slats of the fence. Determinedly I soldiered on with the watering, splashing water everywhere. To my dismay, some of it even went through the slats. I heard some giggling from the other side of the fence.
Then something shaking itself, and the golden haired wildebeest stood up behind the fence,whimpering all the while. I must have inadvertently sprayed it with my watering can. The woofing and barking began again so I took myself indoors into the sun room and listened.The barking and wailing had stopped,and the Primpoloes had been laughing,so I have to presume that no offence was taken. However I also have to hope that the golden wildebeest has a short memory, especially when I pass the gate.
A cup of acorn tea pacified my slightly shattered nerves well enough for me to go to the front garden and resume my gardening. I had only been out there five minutes, when two goblin forms on two-wheeled motor carriagws rampaged back and forward up and down Lobelia Drive. It was the infamous Oggie the Hood and Rikki Tikki the Red,his partner in crime. Their hooping and calling was getting wilder and wilder, and they almost knocked over an elderly elven lady, who was on her way down to the tram stop. Devilment existed in both pairs of eyes, and I feared how outrageous their behaviour might become. But the noise was broken by the opening of number three's door, and the sound of a shrill voice from within. No one appeared,I just heard the voice . And so did Oggie. All it said was "get in here now. Wait till your father gets home ". Oggie immediately stopped the whooping,dismounted his vehicle and head hung low, went back into number three. Rikki Tikki looked on, stunned at the change in his dare-devil accomplice and suddenly looking lost ,quietly sloped off out of the Drive. Wings thoroughly clipped,both of them, and all by a disembodied voice. I have never seen Mrs. Shilpit, only Nobby ,and he does not seem to have much disciplinary hold over Oggie. But it is clear to me now, that not only is Oggie afraid to disobey her,she probably is the one who wears the doublet and hose in that particular toadstool.
I have just seen smoke rising over the fence at number 10. THe Dagworts have started some kind of a bonfire and the fumes are blowing in the direction of our side of the street.Thankfully, our toadstool windows are closed,but my nice clean window panes clearly won't benefit. I am assuming they are burning the brushwood they cut back a few weeks ago, and it is not just a sign that Mimsey is overheating further.
Summer seems to be bringing a kind of madness to the neighbourhood. It can only be good for our health and wellbeing that Pendragon and I are spending the weekend in the Metropolis.
Umbrellas and sou'westers may be needed tomorrow,my dear friends. May you all find a quiet spot to shelter from the damp and dreary days. From Amarantha Willow,the Rainbow Faery.
