Work began a few days ago on lifting spuds in Aughton and Downholland.
Soon the sight of monster machines creeping across the green fields will be more common. Already the gulls are enjoying the feast that spud lifting always leaves behind in the turned-over soil.
Cabbages are being planted elsewhere and on Monday I noticed a field of hay had been mown and left to dry in the traditional manner rather than bagged as haylage. It's always nice to see rows of grass drying in the sun or being turned over to ensure even drying.
Not much in the way of wildlife, though. I've been disappointed in the number of hares and have hardly spotted any in the fields. I wonder whether they are finding it harder to survive now they are not protected for coursing?
Music on the moss: Buffy Sainte-Marie has long been one of my favourite singer/writers. Her early career in folk blossomed into some good rock music. I've been listening to She used to want to be a ballerina which features a wide range of songs, from the upbeat title track - I like the notion that "Rock n roll will never be Tchaikovsky, but Tchaikovsky will never be rock n roll" - to a great version of Helpless backed by Neil Young and Crazy Horse. Another fellow Canadian that Sainte-Marie helped popularise is Leonard Cohen and she does an evocative version of his The Bells. Even more striking is the portion of one of his novels which she set to an electronic score as God is alive, Magick is afoot on her brilliant Illuminations album. The lyrics are rather dense and you never understand the same way twice but her performance weaves them into a spell. Her voice and guitar were treated electronically to provide soundbite links between tracks, very avante garde in 1969. The other tracks range from really soft fluffy lovesongs to rock tracks which really bite. Try logging on to www.creative-native.com to learn more about her and the sterling work she does for the Native American community and her educational work.

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