Cursed when I discovered

We’d had a region-wide

Hosepipe ban declared.

Cussed again when I learned that,

Barring 40 Days and 40 Nights

Of fit-to-float-Noah’s Ark-weather,

It’ll last until November!

So it’s watering cans only

Between 8PM and 8AM

[and a 1500 Euro fine

Between the other 8 and 8!].

I would set my bedside alarm

To be sure to be up bright and early,

But of course I’ve just

Turned off the power block

To save electricity!

So, I filled a big bucket and watering-can,

Lugged them down ‘Concrete Garden’

And watered the tomatoes, leeks, carrots,

Parsnips and potatoes on our new ‘potager’.

Went quite well but I lost a load of water

Refilling the can.

Three buckets-full. Not bad.

Probably a lot less than the hosepipe.

Not so easy on the other side of the house

Where there’s two odd-sized,

Break-your-neck steps

Down to a steeply-sloping plot

More suited to tobogganing than gardening,

Where two tomato plants and some pumpkins

Are perenially calling out for preferential care

As they get the worst of the afternoon heat.

Went well

[As in I didn’t fall base-over-apex this time].

Left the empty bucket outside the door.

Came in.

Rinsed glasses and dog-bowls at the sink

And decided to save the water.

Already, in barely an hour,

There’s a bucket full to the brim

Ready for tonight’s After Eight!

Got me to thinking:

What if we all were to save

The water we run at the tap until

The temperature we want comes through?

That’s maybe a pint or so a shot

Times seven or eight a day:

A good gallon….and that’s only me!

Think I could just about water the veg

With what we currently waste.

Now how to save pre-shampoo shower water?

Any Ideas, anyone?