Waiting

 Well I’ve caved in this afternoon and lit the woodburner.

Yes it’s August, and not even raining today, but the cottage had just begun to feel damp. Damp washing, damp in the air, damp walls, Not pleasant, and I think I may be getting a cold so was in need of a little bit of comfort.

Aside from looking at all things pumpkin I think I am almost ready to embrace the new Season when it arrives, and this morning it certainly felt chilly.

Now do I really need a pumpkin mug, or a witchy one, no but they would be quite nice to hold on cold Autumn mornings, and would help me start the working day with a smile. I’m as yet undecided, however they are in a certain shops cart for now.

Hubby has managed to resurrect our ailing tumble dryer and I’ve loaded it up with a motley assortment of damp feeling items.

I’ve been listening to music more, a sure sign that things are a changing, during the Summer I couldn’t give a fig for music during the day, but now…well a little Spotify never did hurt anyone did it?

We have some upcoming plans for my week off which I have started today, hubby hopes to have some time off in the next few days…exciting…I hope!

Last evening my journey which should take about half an hour ended up taking an hour and a half. Roads, closed, due to roadworks, roads closed due to accidents, and fires. I thought I could escape the queues once I’d left the big town however things never do go quite to plan. I travelled on lanes I had not been on for years and witnessed the biker behind me come over the front of his motorcycle after skidding on some mud. He said he was OK but his bike didn’t look too clever. Having fallen down a step at the weekend and doing my shoulder a mischief there was no way I could help him lift the thing. A car had reversed up around the corner for us though, just out of sight, so I drove up to tell him what had happened, and then a Sainsbury’s van was behind him and he said he had a first aid kit. I hope all was well, but aside from making sure he was OK there wasn’t anything apart from getting the additional help I could do.

Between us and the family next door we have been looking after youngest daughters’ beagle this week. beagle meaning hound, meaning little wotsit on occasions. She’s very tolerant of the children though which is I suppose the main thing.

OK so now I’m roasting, quite literally, I think the damp should soon be driven off quite successfully!

Wilbur here looking quite accusatory I feed!

The buddleia has been attracting plenty of butterflies 

  This clever moon helped youngest grandson off to sleep the other day.

Hopefully the weather can cheer up a little for the next few days, I may even have something of interest to impart instead of mere ramblings.

Blessings, J. x

Loveliness

 And so Summer is drawing to a close, not quite ready to relinquish her reign, but still we can feel Autumn is ready in the wings, waiting for her turn to encourage leaves to drop, Summers’ flowers to fade and fruit to ripen. A time to continue to harvest and store what we are able to help see us through the uncertainties of Winter.

This morning found me pottering around with a pair of secateurs, snipping here and there. Deadheading to prolong the blooming…beginning to trim the fruit trees, and a little weeding.

I keep thinking life will slow down a little, but as soon as it does something fills the space. We entered a float in a local carnival at the weekend on behalf of the ploughing association hubby has an hand in helping, and yesterday spent a few hours down at Bucks Mills. I didn’t take a single photo, but did paddle in rock pools, dip my feet the sea, and generally nothing. But it was good to go. Even taking into consideration the very steep decent and climb back up to the car. I have awoken muscles in my legs that have long since been forgotten.

The weekend before this we went to a heavy horse working event which wasn’t too far away in Chittlehampton. Glad we looked ahead at the weather forecast and went on the Saturday as I don’t think they were able to combine on the Sunday.

Hoping to cook over a campfire this evening, though we may get a few spots of rain, I’ve invited the tribe from next door. I need to find the tripod and set it up as I’m doing a strange invention which was a happy accident some time ago. Stewing beef marinaded in mint sauce, a few bits of Smokey bacon added, onion, puréed tomatoes, possibly some green beans. Delicious, strange but true. That will bubble away in a hanging pot over the fire, whilst jacket potatoes bake in the embers. And not a pointy hat in sight!!

Just a couple of pics, feels like I could nod off sitting here.

Blesssings J. x