Autumn is working its way up to a full suite of weather. Thus far we have had brilliant sun, torrential rain, fog, gusty winds and a light frost. On fine days Lyra and I have strolled along the river bank admiring the birds (me) and enjoying the occasional paddle (Lyra). Lyra can find the paddlingContinue reading “In and out days”
Category Archives: country life
Summer Swan Song
Having confidently declared autumn up and running in my last blog, we found ourselves enjoying a mini Indian Summer last week. Everyone, and everything, seemed to come out to enjoy the sun. Little troupes of mushrooms suddenly appeared in the garden. They crept stealthily out from under trees and a few, bolder types, marched confidentlyContinue reading “Summer Swan Song”
A scented nosegay
Since Lyra lost her sight I’ve been trying to think more about sounds and smells, to be more aware of what she is experiencing. Walking round Norham last week, Lachlan got in on the act and we spent a large part of the walk trying to work out the source of a very particular smell,Continue reading “A scented nosegay”
You gotta roll with it*
*In keeping with the zeitgeist I am offering up an appropriate soundtrack for this post. I am, as it happens, typing away in the kitchen whilst Keith cooks and I have to say he is not indulging in any Oasis nostalgia and purports to be singing some 70s rock. It is not entirely clear whatContinue reading “You gotta roll with it*”
Learning again
August is that month when jobs are left half done, baskets of weeds lie abandoned by the path, fruit is parked in the freezer pending preserving inspiration. The seasons are set to change, but not quite yet. Autumn jobs can wait a bit and its too hot/stormy/wet (take your pick) for any serious effort. WalkingContinue reading “Learning again”
Dog Days
It was gloriously sunny today, far too hot for working in the garden (though Keith manfully tried). Instead, Lyra and I took ourselves for a long meandering walk – so long indeed that it was interrupted by a phone call to check we had not fallen prey to some unknown peril. As ever, I wasContinue reading “Dog Days”
Limbo
June passed in a frenetic blur of activity. Somehow we hit peak gardening, peak attic emptying and peak builder organising all at the same time. Something had to give and it proved to be the keyboard…. Our open garden day at the end of June was swiftly followed with a rather frenetic trip to LondonContinue reading “Limbo”
Everything Changes
It has been a tough old month so far. Lyra was a little off colour at the beginning of the month so we trotted her off to the V.E.T. Conjunctivitis was the general conclusion – the pollen count was high, it being peak yellow season, and there was a lot of it about. A courseContinue reading “Everything Changes”
To the Wall…
I squished so many garden photos in my last post there was no room for anything else so this is a little catcher upper for the last few weeks. When I left off I think we had made it through Keith’s big party and were awaiting the advent of the rugby crowd for further celebrations.Continue reading “To the Wall…”
VItamin D…
Finally a blink of sun. The effect has been remarkable. Watching the garden over the last few days has been like watching one of those time lapse photography films with buds bursting and opening almost as you watch. Everywhere there is a riot of colour. The tulips have been absolutely magnificent. We have had rankContinue reading “VItamin D…”