In the blink of an eye........

What a glorious week of weather we have had. Why, yesterday was a quintessential English summer day; sunshine, a gentle breeze and the warm air laden with the aroma of summer, quite delightful. It was a day for rest and reflection. Life has sped along and we find ourselves older, although not necessarily wiser. Our male guardian has sadly lost a member of his family this very week, a sad time indeed. At times like these one is apt to reflect and consider. The comment oft noted by our elder relatives, " time goes quicker as you get older", does indeed seem to be the case. Shakespeare is brought to mind at times such as these in his seven ages of man. My lady guardian has the most delightful poem of W.H. Davies, "What is this life, so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare". Do take the time to read it in full and consider these wisest of words for we are all guilty, are we not, of jumping on to the treadmill of life and only jumping, or falling off, when it is too late to take the time to "stand and stare". Therefore some time spent in quiet reflection has been the order of a number of days this week, as well as rejoicing in life itself and the possession of it. The hurly burly of the working day, somehow paling into insignificance for time spent together in the quiet loving embrace of ones sanctuary, home. My brother and I, both in advancing years, have ensured we have given comfort in plentiful supply to our guardians. The cycle of life passes at an alarming rate of knots within the blink of an eye. Do take the time, dear friends, where you can to stop and stare.

Apologies, dear and patient friends

My dearest friends, please accept my sincerest apologies, why I really do not know where the time has gone. Such a whirlwind of activity over the last month, why I am quite dizzy at the memory.
Indeed, where does one start. Perhaps, in the words of dear Colonel Brandon, at the beginning.

As many of you are aware, my guardians share a kitchen garden with my lady guardians sister and husband. It comprises five 6 x 3 metre raised beds, a small raised bed and a recently dug squash bed of a similar size, plus a strawberry patch, two beautiful fig trees and a small apple tree under which to sit and enjoy the fruits of ones labour (often with a tasty morsel and a well earned cup of the finest English tea). There are also two greenhouses in which tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are grown through the summer. It was a venture embarked upon with great zeal by both estates and, in it's second year, is proving most fruitful. To gaze upon it is a wonder but, more importantly, to feast upon the produce is a delight. Much to my lady guardians delight, there are murmurings of livestock in the form of a few chickens; what country dweller does not like the sound of a contented brood clucking about the garden. Oh, the excitement but, one must be patient, much to my guardians consternation. The sisters remember a childhood with home grown vegetables and chickens, and a plentiful supply of chicken manure for the compost to complete the circle. Delightful, quite delightful. Many an hour has been spent planting, weeding, nurturing, watering for the delight of fresh produce now and through the winter. What a warming thought. A well stocked larder and log shed are such comforting thoughts as we move through the cycle of seasons, with time spent through spring and summer in toil to keep one hail and hearty. A simple life with simple pleasures, bliss. 

Despite the summer weather not reaching its fullest potential, my lady guardian has taken every opportunity to throw open windows and doors. Within the house, a thorough programme of sorting and cleaning is underway. Why, one is fearful of being caught up in this frenzy and ensures ones safety by finding a quiet, safe place in which to rest until the dust has settled for another day. I am assured by my lady guardian, that the current frenzy is quite, quite different from "the spring clean" that was undertaken earlier in the year, but I confess dear friends, I cannot see how! 
The seasons are moving swiftly and one can understand the activity, why I can barely believe that we 
are mid way through the year and soon to celebrate the summer solstice. Tempusfugit, dear friends, tempus fugit.

As my lady guardian and I compose this missive for your delectation, we gaze out upon the apple, plum and damson trees and can see the ripening fruits. We appear to be in for a bumper harvest and the larder may indeed need sorting to accommodate such largesse. 

My lady guardian, a keen home crafter, has begun knitting a fine woolen garment for the cooler months. A most becoming fairisle pattern is emerging. No doubt my brother will examine it closely on completion and test for warmth and comfort.

Well, my dears.....

Well, my dears, what a busy time it has been if I do say so myself. Why, a positve whirlwind. It must be said however, what a glorious month is the month of May! Such an exciting time of year, such joy in just being. Why, the countryside around us is burgeoning with growth; lime green, lush green, crops putting forth, cowparsley in delightful abundance spotted with campion and bluebells. How my heart does sing to see the natural beauty of this great country. The skylark, high in the sky singing it's melodious song and the swallows and swifts swooping and a fluttering all around. The sky on the whole is blue with puffy white clouds high above us. Such is the wealth in nature.

My guardians have been busy amidst the estate, tidying, mowing and planting and they begin to reap the rewards, particularly in the sanctuary garden where my brother and I are oft to be found, enjoying the warmth of the sun on our ageing bones, such a pleasure.

The kitchen garden has been largely planted and the crops are bursting forth. Further beds are being created, of which we will benefit this autumn, for a fine bed of squashes has been planned including, to my delight, one or two pumpkins for carving at Halloween. Important to maintain tradition, you understand.

As I sit with my guardian producing this missive, the sun bears down, a light breeze is flapping the laundry upon the line and the droning of the bees in the apple blossom can be heard. Birds are a Twitter and my male guardian is enjoying respite from his toils in the garden with a restorative cup of tea and a leisurely chapter of a favourite book. "Oh to be in England", dear friends; I am inordinately fond of dear old Blighty. 

Early one morning.......

My brother and I have spent a most delightful time in the company of our female guardian. Sadly, our male guardian was detained overnight in good honest toil. On her return from her own duties, my lady guardian visited her relatives who live nearby. Once this was completed we were able to spend our time as we pleased. We therefore took the opportunity to review the orchard and sanctuary gardens, wandering hither and thither, a snip here, a tweak there. The new plants watered to ensure they bed in and a restorative cup of tea partaken on the garden seat to enjoy the evening spring sunshine. Clearly, our neighbour felt an opportunity for some essential guarden duties as, no sooner had we retired, than he commenced the mowing of his estate lawns. Such is the beauty of the longer evenings that I do declare he mowed until the clock struck nine o clock; granted it was quite dimpsy  by then but, one rejoices in the lateness of the hour to be able to contemplate such activity outside at that hour.  Quite quite delightful. 

Our lady guardian partook of an early light supper before embarking on a thorough polishing of the wooden furniture. I do so enjoy the most delightful aroma of the beeswax polish that lingers in the sun warmed home and the lamps glowing in the polished furniture as night ensues. So quintessentially English, do you not think? A delightful evening was then spent enjoying the merits of a good book to the strains of Bach. Quite delightful.

On rising at half past the hour of five this morning, we have tripped through the orchard to admire the emerging blossom in the quiet of the morn, with only the sweet sound of the birds to accompany us. Such a joyous and restorative way to start the day, always accompanied by a cup of the finest English breakfast tea to awaken ones senses. Bliss, dear friends, such bliss.

Glorious Easter Day

Well, my dears, what a glorious day it has been; we do so hope yours has been the same. My guardians, my sister and I awoke much refreshed after a splendid sleep; it is true that I, perhaps, require slightly less sleep than others and more regular refreshment but, nonetheless, was grateful for the opportunity of a little longer to rest. As the sun rose in the sky it was a beautiful spring morning, doors were opened and windows thrown wide. A line full of my guardians woollen, winter attire fluttered in the spring sunshine and a leisurely breakfast was enjoyed. The garden received much attention with lawns trimmed and raked, edges neatened and a general tidy up undertaken. Morning coffe was enjoyed outside, as was afternoon tea upon the terrace. Joyous birdsong and much fluttering accompanied the day's work, such a joy to behold. Most important of all, drapery in the home was not drawn against the night until well past eight o clock. Now that Michaelmas and Easter are behind us, we will rush full steam ahead t'ward summer. Next stop, cow parsley in the lanes and the early Sping Bank Holiday May Fair to enjoy.

Such consternation!!

Well, my dears, such consternation! Barely had I sent my missive to you all than a breakfast debate was had on the merits of Hot Cross Buns versus Easter Biscuits. Well, what can I say, merely to apologise for forgetting to mention the merits of a fine Easter Biscuits. My lady guardians twin sister will atone the longing for a Moores Easter Biscuit when they are unavailable in ones adopted country. These little morsels of spicy joy are stock piled for a visit to be enjoyed at leisure. My male guardian however swears by the merit of a buttery Hot Cross Bun.

Whether you are a biscuit or a bun person, do enjoy your Easter festivities.

Happy Easter, dear friends

My, my, how time does fly, why I have barely drawn breath and Easter is upon us. As I sit contemplating the day with my lady guardian, we can look out upon the estate which is blossoming forth with the damson and apple trees. Such a joyful sight to behold as we sip our morning tea and consider the day. We await the arrival of our male guardian, a little weary from a night of toil but no doubt with some tasty morsel for our delectation. My brother, as you are aware, partook of an early hot cross bun and I must say, I very much anticipate that we shall be enjoying this most delightful of Easter treats very shortly. The ritual celebration of Easter is a delight to behold and certainly has a most enjoyable feast of titbits to tempt one, does it not? 

Whilst my male guardian enjoys a well earned rest, my lady guardian will spend time in her own toil in the kitchen garden with her relatives. You may remember this joint venture embarked upon last year to the benefit of both estates. This weekend heralds the start of work in earnest to bring it all together once more. What a delight to spend one's time producing one's own food, and enjoying the fruits of one's own labour. Why my guardians still partake of onions, potatoes, leeks and purple sprouting from last years endeavours. Quite marvellous.

If the weather is clement then the task of renewing some of the hedging on our own estate will also be commenced. In the words of Hesiod "toil is no source of shame" and a weekend spent thus will invigor and delight, preparing for the fruits of one's own labour as the summer arrives. 

A weekend of blissful toil for one's own delight brings to mind the words of Ruskin "There is no wealth but life" with perhaps with the addendum from Einstein when he said "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." Happy Easter, dear friends, Happy Easter.