I was summoned from the cool and restful shade of my shed by the singing of a goldfinch from the top of the nearest apple tree. The rough grass under the trees was cut and the broad sward of the main lawn called, looking hot and exhausting.
Eight, or was it nine boxes of cuttings today. Every four lengths of the garden the mower ran too heavy and demanded lightening. Every four lengths of the lawn a walk to the compost heap and a moment of quiet to listen for the bird again, or to watch out for the passage of gatekeepers, solitary wasps, wild bees and, occasionally a ground beetle or a devils coachman.
The cutting equipment away, I've come inside to the cool of the house. Soaped and rinsed my hands, splashed my face. The kettle is on and, while I wait, I fill a mug with cold water and drink, looking out at my work. I catch the smell of the fennel by the compost on my arm and feel the prickle of sweat on my scalp.
Sunday 22 July 2012
Wednesday 4 July 2012
The rain, the rain, it's at it again
The outlook varies from standing water to standing water with ripples. We are, again, promised a month of rain in 48 hours - I sincerely hope it isn't last month's rain in 48 hours, since last month we got three months' rain. For all that the rain is warming up and I find it quite pleasant to be lulled to sleep by falling rain.
The foals care not where they wander any more. I first motored between a foal and its mare two weeks since, but now they care less. There are remarkably few butterflies. I have seen both a male and female stag beetle in my garden. Middle son said he saw an adder, which is not impossible - and he is generally a good observer; what he saw was, at any rate, probably too large to be one of our rather common slowworms.
The increasing judder in my car brakes turned out to be in line with my three year old instinct, that the front discs were going gently square. A mere three hundred quid, added to the cost of MOT work and new tyres has resolved that small problem. At least the new discs are manufacturer's originals and not just the cheapest tat that was available.
Dad is living at home again. I must phone and see how he is coping.
There is the smell of fresh paint at home, as if the Queen were about to visit.
Tiredness and insomnia battle it out as the first rays riffle the curtains in the mornings. A shame to feel half way through the year, but a blessing that the light mornings are toning it down a bit. Actually, with the weather the mornings have been almost gloomy this week.
I dare not go on, lest this entry join the previous few in being too long.
The foals care not where they wander any more. I first motored between a foal and its mare two weeks since, but now they care less. There are remarkably few butterflies. I have seen both a male and female stag beetle in my garden. Middle son said he saw an adder, which is not impossible - and he is generally a good observer; what he saw was, at any rate, probably too large to be one of our rather common slowworms.
The increasing judder in my car brakes turned out to be in line with my three year old instinct, that the front discs were going gently square. A mere three hundred quid, added to the cost of MOT work and new tyres has resolved that small problem. At least the new discs are manufacturer's originals and not just the cheapest tat that was available.
Dad is living at home again. I must phone and see how he is coping.
There is the smell of fresh paint at home, as if the Queen were about to visit.
Tiredness and insomnia battle it out as the first rays riffle the curtains in the mornings. A shame to feel half way through the year, but a blessing that the light mornings are toning it down a bit. Actually, with the weather the mornings have been almost gloomy this week.
I dare not go on, lest this entry join the previous few in being too long.
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