Laundry's little helper

I wonder if many know what this is? 

I had one. 

It was made by Hotpoint and lasted for well over 10 years.

I used it frequently and it saved me money by not having to switch on the washing machine.

It's a small spin dryer.

Popular in Japanese households, it allows you to spin out clothes which have been hand washed such as wool jumpers, underwear and the like.

Most people discarded them when front loading machines came down in price and did everything for you.

I must admit I still favour these little machines. Rated at A+++ they have good credentials and use little electricity because you use them for such a short period (they spin out the excess water very quickly, in seconds really).

Yes, it means getting up close and personal with some of the washing but if you've already paid for hot water why not use it without adding more electricity to the mix.

Oh, but shoving it in the washing machine is easier!

Yes it is. Some of us just prefer a less high tech way of doing things I suppose. 

Changing natural patterns

Normally, this orchid flowers later. The tulips are meant to be 'lates' and the apple blossom, May.

Things are changing rapidly; I wonder how many people acknowledge this?

Flooding, torrential rains and gale force winds have graced us this year.

Fields which should be green with autumn sown crops are partly under water and where they did get planted, many have swathes of empty soil where the crops have rotted.

My garden is looking splendid. A riot of colour in fact. Yes, the bumble bees are out as are some of the honey bees are too. Surprisingly there's also a wasp or two. As yet no hornets but the green fly have been feasting for some time now.

Yesterday I saw an intrepid butterfly attempting to remain aloft even in the gale force gusts we were experiencing. 

I hoped it found food. 

I hoped it found shelter.

I look around at people as the scurry from place to place. Are they seeing the changes or just enduring the inconvenience? Are they aware worse is to come as change continues in our atmosphere? 

Do they get the point that the hotter it gets feels good but brings with it monsoon rains, gale force winds and the probability of malaria, denji and other mosquito borne diseases as they get blown over from the continent?

I look at my garden and enjoy today. I cannot control tomorrow, I can only be aware of it. I thank the natural world for giving me one more year of pleasant surroundings. I thank the natural world for bird song, warm days and cool nights.