Summer’s survivors

I’ve had a few days out and about on wildlife patrol with Lyra, now freed from the post op “no scratchy” T shirt, recently (ably assisted by Keith and Mum, respectively, as side kicks) so thought I’d submit my late summer report. The heat of the last few days has turned the wheat to gold,Continue reading “Summer’s survivors”

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot

The last few days have been mighty fierce indeed. No sooner had I thrown off the remaining post viral lethargy than a whole new ambient temperature related lethargy arrived. I have spent the last three days reading yet more books (having finished all the Mick Herron spy books (quite funny, but read them now asContinue reading “Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot”

It’s all gone Pete Tong

Where to begin….. We set off for the Isle of Wight primped and prepped. Our little party was staying at the Grand, where an ongoing ambience of being in the middle of a Hercule Poirot adventure coexisted slightly uneasily, but in a good way, with the breakfast mix tape of 70s funk classics. The weddingContinue reading “It’s all gone Pete Tong”

Open season is closed (for a bit)

Finally, or at least for a month, we have the garden to ourselves and license to ignore it or appreciate it from a sedentary position, as the mood takes us. The annual garden open day took place last Sunday, on the coldest and windiest (but thankfully not rainiest) day for ages. The cohort of stalwartContinue reading “Open season is closed (for a bit)”

The midsummer narrows

We hurtled to midsummer this year and nature has been running ahead of us all the way, reclaiming its territory. In the Hirsel woods the paths between the ferns have dwindled to the narrowest strip, brambles swarming across, ready to tug at unwary ankles. In places, the nettles have reached shoulder height. Mum and IContinue reading “The midsummer narrows”

Wind and Water

We have, again, a house full of family. Ishbel drove up and arrived on Wednesday night, we visited dad and collected mum yesterday and this afternoon the bold boy himself arrived. Lyra is cock a hoop at having all her pets conveniently in one place and, in the case of Auntie Granny, bristling with tripeContinue reading “Wind and Water”

Along the riverbank

Having endured trench foot all day yesterday after a walk through the long grass around the fields (yes I could have changed my shoes, but somehow it was a chore too far..) today we took the riverside walk, where the kind folks who look after the fishing have mowed many paths meandering through the longContinue reading “Along the riverbank”

New month, new routine

Well perhaps…As the days lengthen to the craziness of midsummer I am waking earlier and earlier (our bedroom faces south and west and fills with light at about 4 am). Usually I lie and find something to fret about for an hour or so then drift back into a weird dream filled sleep, which leavesContinue reading “New month, new routine”

From the sublime….

It has been a busy few weeks since last I sat down to post. With help from Mum I have been weeding up a storm with a view to the first substantial gardening opening of the year last Thursday. We had a party of about 27 from a local group in for a look roundContinue reading “From the sublime….”

A walk on the wild side

The doughty agents of Wildflower Patrol ambled along the river yesterday, checking on developments. The sun was shining and there was hardly a breath of air as we left the house so, after much discussion and humming and hawing, intrepid Agent Aunty Granny took the bold step of leaving her polar fleece behind. It seemsContinue reading “A walk on the wild side”