Weather conundrum for harvest

Hmm, a little conundrum; a colleague and I were discussing a comment she had heard about the weather we are currently experiencing; should one describe it as a "heatwave," or simply "summer"? Well, what a discussion point indeed for the English, such is our obsession with the weather. Hmm, indeed. 

The temperature has continued to rise, with 31 degrees yesterday and something akin to that this very day. The fields around us have continued to turn a ripe golden colour, and lo, this very day the harvest has begun. The air is now redolent with the warm, ripe aroma of ripened harvest, a sweet delicious scent reminiscent of one's childhood spent helping on the farm. Oh, how I do love harvest time. Let us hope the current weather holds 'til the harvest be safely gathered in. 

Light refreshment....

Such bliss to walk in summer rain for 'tis, on the whole, warm, light and refreshing. One really did enjoy one's homeward bound journey today for, after such scorching temperatures of late, it was indeed a delight to march along whilst receiving a gentle warm shower of summer rain. We have been most fortunate, my dears, to have had a number of bursts of rain today and oh, how the garden has absorbed it. The temperature remains warm and the forecast consistently positive but a little respite for the garden is a must. Added to this was the drop in temperature last night as a preamble to the main event today. Oh, how blissful it was to finally be able to sleep, such delightful comfortable sleep. How we do so enjoy that gloriously satisfying deep sleep, leaving one refreshed and able to face the day with a spring once more in the step. High temperatures for prolonged periods really are quite exhausting, particularly in a country such as dear old Blighty, that really is not used to it. One can only hope that the overnight temperature remains conducive to another night's restful slumber.

It ''twas whilst out and about with my sewing bee friends recently that one espied oneself in a mirror in the fabric retail establishment we were visiting. It has to be said dear souls, I was fair astonished to see that one had acquired a healthy light tan, much to my amazement. Being a fair skinned redhead, one generally does not tan, merely acquires freckles with a decent coating of factor 50 sunscreen atop for good measure. But lo, before me, staring back in quite an astonished manner was my very own tanned face. The hilarity that ensued at the dawning realisation really was quite amusing. I have however been making my daily walk for well over a year now and feel so much happier and healthier for it. Not only has it benefitted one's pocket, but one's mental and physical health too, therefore what is not to like. Walking really is a most advantageous and enjoyable pastime. The weather has not deterred me bar one day in winter when the snow and ice abound; I stepped upon a very icy surface indeed, ending up flat on my back, teeth jarring together when I received a mighty head butt from the piece of ground I was walking upon. The stars and flashing lights went on for a few days accompanied by an almighty headache. That day I was most grateful for the transportation I received to my professional toil. 'Tas not, however, my dears, deterred me and I remain a fervent supporter of such a simple and enjoyable form of exercise. All the better to enjoy the glorious countryside we are most fortunate to reside in.

Fabric retail.......

One has been most fortunate to have another delightful day with my sewing bee friends. We spent some time in a little old market town a mere thirty minutes away in the carriage from our little estate. We had purposely made the journey to visit a most delightful fabric retail shop. Deary me, the choice, the colours, oh my, my, sheer bliss. All three left said shop with a little something or more to be delighted with. I have no doubt dear reader, we shall return, before err long, for there was much to delight the eye for the dress and home maker, so very much. After a number of hours browsing both dress and furnishing fabrics, we rested a while and enjoyed a most welcome cup of something, a very welcome refreshment indeed. The three of us are rather fond of independent retailers who offer something a little different and were not disappointed in this lovely little market town. We did venture forth once more and found ourselves in one such shop where we all three fell for a pair of shoes apiece (thankfully, all completely different styles). Sense however prevailed for two of us, despite the pair one coveted oneself being quite the most beautiful and comfortable shoes one had ever had the joy to try. One could not, however, justify in any way the cost, for one's eyes watered on espying the price tag. Such a sad, sad moment, my dears, for they were a feast for both the eyes and feet; never before had a pair of shoes fitted so well and felt so right but, a second glance at the price tag saw one wisely return them whence they sat. The beautiful leather and cashmere goods were to die for but one's conscience could not allow it. Practicality will out, and there is much left to do upon the estate.

On our return, after a short interval and light repast, we set to and completed the garment that been started a week or so ago at our last Sewing Bee meeting. The male guardian arrived as we were finalising the double stitched hems and sensibly took himself off in to the orchard to bask in the sunshine with a restorative cup of tea and a little something to nibble. He did not wish to reprise his previous experience of three twittering ladies in various stages of undress before him as he unexpectedly arrived home. Far too early in the day for such displays, my dears. 

These days are such a joy and others are already in the planning stages. New patterns are being sought for the fabrics purchased and much discussion and debating will ensue. Further little outings will also feature, for information purposes, you understand. One really should do one's research do you not agree. 

Oh, my.......

Oh my, dear souls, for 'tis warm, oh my it is. Dear old Blighty is ablaze with sunshine and, sadly, we are also seeing what the Australians would term "bush fires" on the moors of the north. Saddleworth has been ablaze for days and the poor people living in the surrounding area are suffering. Stirling efforts by the Firefighters and armed forces can be seen on a daily basis across the media to keep things contained. Sadly, the reportings are nearly always accompanied by stories of foolish people happy to literally inflame the situation. Take heart dear souls of the north for we are with you in spirit, if not physically, and can only hope for an early end to it for you.

The land is dry and parched, with the sanctuary garden showing great patches of brown lawns. One cannot remember when it last rained, and the water butt levels are lowering. Why, fair reminds me of summers of my childhood spent strawberry and black currant picking to earn a penny or two.

Maintaining the Estate

What glorious weather, dear souls, big blue skies and, deary me, bloomin' hot for working in. The male guardian and I were most keen to catch up with some jobs that required doing upon the estate. Today happened to be one of the days that we actually had time off together and oh, my, my was it warm. The male guardian cut the lawns and we undertook a "trim" on the hedge that marks the boundary between our sanctuary garden and the orchard type field of our neighbours. Well, my dears, 'tis done and very elegant it does look. The sun beat down relentlessly upon us as we worked and, despite a most sensible covering of factor 50 sunscreen, I am sure there are a number more freckles upon my face than were there this very morning. The horse flies rose up and most determined they were to enjoy a feed upon my fair skin but I was most fortunate to be in the possession of a skin cream given to me by my dear twin sister, made from Australian sandalwood. Three bites were duly treated and my legs covered in said cream. Well, what an amazing little tube of delight for one cannot even see where the bites were and the dreaded itching has not ensued. Hm, I must thank my dear twin sister for a very affective cream it has turned out to be indeed, for anything that copes with the dreaded horse fly bite is a must in one's armoury if one resides in the country as we do.

The sanctuary garden is now bordered by a delightfully crisp hedge and we are once more able to appreciate the hills in the distance, the small man made lake and much more. The lawns are trim and tidy and everything in the garden is rosy. 

After such hot work, a cool shower, fresh, clean clothing and a little light repast was all that was required. How happy we are to have spent our day in physical work to maintain our home. Whilst the male guardian treats himself to something sweet, I am enjoying a small bowel of the most luscious cherries; oh my goodness, how I do love cherries. The season is short so that, thankfully, the male guardian is not a fan. How fortunate am I, dear friends, how fortunate indeed. 

The longest day

Well, my dears, the longest day has come and gone all too swiftly. One has, however, made good use of the light before it begins to fade by a few minutes each day, and will continue to do so for as long as possible. The painting has thus come on in leaps and bounds, the second and third coats applied each evening after one had returned from one's professional toil, and the male guardian was away toiling. It is a most beguiling colour of many shades, dependent on the time of day and light. One is really rather pleased with it. White, flat sheen woodwork will complement it in a way that is becoming to this old house and some, yet to be found, material destined for the window coverings. Why it really is quite exciting my dears.

The male guardian and I have spent a relaxing morning before he was once more duty bound to his professional toil. Once he had departed, the winter bedding was collected from one's niece in the dry cleaning establishment she runs most efficiently in the small local town and is now airing on the line, absorbing the sunshine. The cashmere, inherited from one's late mother, has been hand washed and is lain upon a flat surface to dry outside, in preparation for careful storage before the winter months arrive. The linen is flapping in the breeze and windows are wide. I am also assisting a colleague in drying rose petals for her impending wedding, such is the plentiful supply from ones garden, and am duly keeping an eye on their progress as I enjoy a restorative cup of tea before once more donning one's overalls to return to the task of painting woodwork. As busy as a bee, dear souls, for there is much to do and enjoy in this life and I am making the most of the fine weather whilst one can for 'tis, after all, good old Blighty. 

Summer fruits

Whilst 'tas been a while since we have had time off together, it was finally achieved for the male guardian and I over the last few days, thankfully. One has oft commented on the simple pleasures, and 'twas these simple things one looked forward to during this precious time. The ability to lie on past our normal hour of rising, partaking of a leisurely breakfast together, and choosing how to spend our days. Inevitable chores were undertaken, along with tasks upon the list of projects to complete the upper floor of our home. More ceilings and walls have been painted, the latter in a most becoming and restful shade that will be complemented by white woodwork. The spectrum of colours available to choose from has grown exponentially over the years and there are some very becoming shades to suit an old country property such as ours. As with all things, it takes time, interspersed as it is with our professional toil. 'Twill be most satisfying when the jobs are completed and the upper floor is much updated, something that has long been on our list of things to do.

The estate gardens have also received some attention, weather permitting, for 'tas been overcast but warm and drizzling; that light, refreshing warm drizzle that is most welcome on a sticky, warm day spent decorating the upper floor. It is most delightful to see the roses, peonies, nepeta, hydrangeas and all coming in to their own, what a glorious sight to behold. 

The range of vegetables and fruit available is at its finest and one does confess to making the most of the fruitful time of the year. Why, the larder is fair overflowing with all manner of healthy options to choose from, much to one's delight. Good, simple food to fuel one through the various projects one is involved in, inbetween which one is gradually making headway on the summer cardigan for my seamstress friend - I have at times feared ''twas in jeopardy of becoming a rather cool winter garment, which really would not do, dear souls, dear me no.