Busy, busy week

Well, my dears, what a busy week we have endured. Now, it has to be said that whilst busy, my guardians have enjoyed luxurious extra hours of sleep and rest each day, thus, much refreshed went forth each day for a mini adventure. Firstly however the business of maintenance for both the house and carriage had to be undertaken on the first day; then, and only then could they sallie forth. Well, my dearest friends, hither and thither they did venture. Not all however was leisure, for my mistress spent Wednesday ensuring our wood supply. With her fellow woodsman, the new, larger carriage was employed to obtain two vast loads of wood, one for each house. Why the new carriage proved its worth; one trip alone accounted for nigh on three trips required of the older, smaller carriage. Such a vast improvement and time left in the day for more to be done.

Thursday evening was a pleasure for my guardians attended a Shakespearian play with a most prodigious cast. A joyous production it did prove to be, much to the delight of my guardians.

Friday was the wedding anniversary of my guardians and they did spend it doing what they do love, walking in the most beautiful woods of our home county. The sights and sounds of natures finest, the leaves falling as if confetti from the roof of natures finest cathedral, the murmuring and burbling of the river and the song of the local birds the music to accompany their procession. Beautiful mosses, the leaf confetti, fallen trees the pew on which to seat oneself. Truly beautiful and a balm to life's frenetic grinding. Only one other person was seen the whole time they were there. Peace and serenity for my dearest guardians, much refreshed by an hour or three spent thus. Thereafter a delightful hour was spent upon the most delightful of afternoon teas, served in a tiny Victorian tea room by the most attentive of hosts. Such choice to be had and truly to be tried to be believed - an experience to be repeated in due course. Then a perusal of a fine gallery before returning to our small estate.

Dear friends, with my dear brother no longer with us, I do so revel in these brief respites my guardians enjoy from their daily work. Their company is most important to me and thus I have enjoyed every moment I can with them, from the later rising time, to an evening of warmth, the fire lit, enjoying a good book or assisting my lady guardian with her latest woollen garment. I have so appreciated every extra moment with them. Alas, all returns to normal on the morrow, much to my distress. I can only hope for another week as this one in the near future.

Cacophony

Well my dears, such a racket to be had; as you know we have, in the past been most fortunate to make the acquaintance of a fine and dandy gentleman called Cedric Pheasant. He has for many years past our small estate each Autumn and always paid us the coutresy of dropping by on his travels for a tasty morsel and catch up with affairs. Over the years we have seen him and members of his family come and go; my what a pleasure it is indeed to see them in their finery, in the most becoming of autumnal shades - the male of the species are quite outgoing and never afraid to wear the brightest of shades. It is always such a pleasure to hear them as they enter the estate, a cacophony of chatter, shouts and wing beating to be heard. Why the poor field fare, thrush and robin families were quite startled by the noise and briefly rose, as one, to leave fearing danger. My, my the noise; however soon all was restored and all settled to breakfast together in the orchard. Such a beautiful sight and sound, a joy to behold.

Much to my absolute delight, my guardians have a week of respite from their formal toil which means the enjoyment of a slightly slower pace, lie ins, late breakfasts and pottering about. This very week my guardians are blessed to enjoy their 33rd wedding anniversary, a fact they plan to celebrate with a bracing walk and afternoon tea in a little establishment near the coast, and perhaps a viewing of some particularly fine art at a local gallery. Thus sated, they will return and we will enjoy a quiet evening as a family.

In between times however, preparations must begin for the festive season, as much to my guardians consternation, and knowing that it comes around with alarming regularity, it appears to be eminently upon us. Oh my. It has to be said however that sense will prevail and whence the festive period is upon us, all preparations will be safely in place.

Wind quartet....

Oh my, my, what a night of weather. We do so hope our Scottish and northern friends have fared well, with the forecasts of bad weather that were broadcast last evening. Why even here the wind was at its most tempestuous overnight, moaning and groaning and sending any apples, left on the trees in our little orchard, crashing to the ground; a symphony from the wind quartet grounded by the bass of the apples dropping.  This morning we awoke from broken sleep to the sound of field fares, blackbirds, robins and song thrushes arguing over the spoils of the nights storm, the sounds of their different voices mingling with the slightly milder wind. There is nothing quite so nice as being ensconced in a warm bed when listening to an overnight storm raging, nor rising in the morning to find that ones home and estate have been lucky and no damage ensued, for which we are most grateful.

My poor guardians however have quite a task upon them in collecting a large quantity of the fallen apples to dispose of such is the harvest this year. I forecast a busy day ahead. They will of course ensure a supply for the wildlife that abounds in our little haven.

My lady guardian will also bottle the sloe gin that has been carefully tended over the last month or so. Neither guardian partakes of alcohol but sloe gin is a desirous gift for country dwellers, plus, with the prospect of a visit from our family in the Australia's again next year, a small stash will be welcome. Our Australian family were quite taken with the small amount my guardians had when they last stayed and, as they are due to visit in Autumn next year, a warming nip may be gratefully partaken. Thus preparations have begun not just for the coming festive season but also with thoughts of autumn next year. Such diligence is admirable, do you not agree?

A day of rest...

One does enjoy the somnambulant start to the sabbath day should my guardians be fortunate not to have to spend the day in toil. A far slower pace is adopted with a later rising from one's bed. Oh how I do enjoy these mornings. My late brother and I were inordinately fond of a late start on an autumn or winter's morning, which would mean the four of us snugged upon the bed until one of my guardians would slip down to the kitchen to make the first cup of fine English tea, to be enjoyed sat up in bed, wrapped warmly against the chill. My guardians and I continue this ritual whenever possible. My male guardian will don his reading spectacles and enjoy a few pages of the latest tomb, whilst my lady guardian will either continue the crafting of a fine garment or assist me in updating you, my dearest friends. We are fortunate that the bedroom is dual aspect and a very fine view is to be had from either window; one overlooking the orchard and the other, the view beyond the approach garden - both a delight upon the senses. 

Once the time has come to rise and the ablutions performed, a leisurely late breakfast or indeed "brunch" will be partaken and the broadsheets examined, particularly by my male guardian who likes to keep abreast of current news. My lady guardian however is nought so fervent in her perusal, preferring to potter about our domain, tidying and tweaking to ensure our continued comfort.

Slower days are rare indeed, my guardians oft in toil, therefore these rarities are enjoyed to their fullest where we can. Today is one such day therefore I will bid you a hasty adieu. I do hope that your own sabbath is equally as restful.

All Hallow's Eve

Well my dears, the day did begin most auspiciously with a fine mist withdrawing as night faded, like long tendril fingers through the trees, to reveal a dark and still day, heavy with a moist dank air, redolent of fallen leaves. Such a fine setting for All Hallow's Eve. The trees and hedges are shedding their blazing finery to reveal the bare branches of winter time. Oh how joyous to watch this fine setting unfurl before us from the comfort of a warm bed, snugged most delightfully betwixt my male and female guardians. Bliss, dear friends, sheer bliss.

Once again the air will be fragranced with the spicy aroma of gingerdead men, pumpkins carved and suitable veneration undertaken for past souls and loved ones, with special time spent on thoughts of my brother, for ne'er a brighter soul could one have hoped for and he will be shining brightly this eve, I am sure. This day does also bring the end of summer and light, the harvest completed, moving on t'ward winter. How we do enjoy the seasons and traditions. We do hope you enjoy your Hallow's merriment but do not forget to respect them too, after all it is their day and no end of mischief may ensue.

Ginger dead men and minted hotpot

What a positively exhausting day it has been dear readers, exhausting. My male guardian did rise early and took the carriage to tend to the sick as his work requires. My lady guardian took the opportunity to catch up with the many tasks that ensure the smooth running of our little estate. Firstly however, clad in sturdy wellingtons, she did pay her respects to my darling brother; flowers refreshed and a morning cup of tea partaken whilst enjoying fond memories. Thereafter, seized by the brisk nature of the weather and clear autumn sky, laundry flapped upon the washing line, floors swept, and perhaps the most joyous task of the day undertaken, the making of ginger dead men in preparation for All Hallows' eve. Why our dear home was redolent with the spicy and warming aroma of baking, so tantalising. Once cooled the joyous task of icing little skeletons upon the biscuits began. The simple pleasure this did elicit and much fun too. All left to set whilst a most warming of dishes, minted hotpot, was prepared. Not only is this dish tasty and nutritious, but also excellent in preparation for a late return tomorrow evening, for sufficient is prepared for two days suppers. My lady guardian does declare that the second serving is all the more tasty for being a day old. A most comforting dish, my dears, for dusk did fall at five o'clock this day, with drapes drawn and lanterns lit to prepare the home for my male guardians return. 

Autumnal splendour.

Well, dear friends, are we not quite the most fortunate of people? The countryside has been transformed in to the most beguiling of paintings on our very own doorstep. The dazzling array of colours that greets one as we pull back the drapes these last last few mornings has been most becoming. The fields have been ploughed and the Autumn rain this very morn has turned the fields into sections of piped and glistening chocolate as the warm sun caresses them. Each field is bordered by country hedges that present a spectrum of colours through deepest glistening green of the holly leaf, and yellows, orange, gold and red of beech, field maple and more, with accents of red, black and burgundy from holly berries, sloes and the finest of blackberries.  If one is lucky, one can still squirrel out the odd filbert. Huge tree tunnels present frames for breathtaking countryside vistas that are peaceful and calming. Autumn winds blow and the somnambulant summer is chased further away. Pheasants abound along country lanes and great care is required when outward bound in the carriage.

My lady guardian, with her sister, did take the carriage this very morning, bound for a most delightful small town on Exmoor; small but perfectly formed with quite the right balance of artisan and necessary establishments to make it thus self sufficient. A most enjoyable morning was had with the journey outward and homeward bound admired by each sister, country dwellers both. My lady guardian finds the English country side beauteous and calming, sanctuary from the hurly burly of every day life.

As we write this missive, the sun is disappearing behind the landscape, chasing shadows across the fields; the air begins to cool and we are preparing for the freshness of the night to creep in as the shadows lengthen. The end of British summer time and the clocks fall back one hour this night. The joy of an extra hour's rest ensconced in a warm and comfortable bed, the breeze through the window redolent of log fires and Autumn. We are blessed indeed with these simple pleasures.