Western Walkabout: Favourite Walk
Richard Harris introduces us to some of the friends - plants and animals - in backyard.
One of my favourite walks is a casual stroll round my pocket handkerchief backyard looking at all my friends – plants and animals.
I do this walk before breakfast, stepping through the sliding door and greeting Byron, a manic depressive gnome who looks out over the carp pond. He can see two old frogs playing chess with a collection of beetles, watched by a ceramic tiger snake. A tiny frog sits on the rim of a bailing cup, also watching the play.
I spray water from the garden hose over the climbing rose, then I top up the carp pond which overflows into a small lily pond. The overflow waters the Chinese cedar which is doing very well next to the late mulberry.
I water the rocket plants – all volunteers, being self sown – and top up another small pool which accommodates various tadpoles, some white cloud mountain minnows, and four baby golden cichlids. They are mouth breeders and I’m teaching them not to eat live food.
