I don’t think there’s anything nicer than sitting in the garden at twilight, candles twinkling, a glass of something cold and listening to the birds going to bed. The day stretched out as far as it will go.
We are at midwinter - cold, dark and wet - , and marking Matariki, the Maori new year, and observance of the cluster of the Matariki stars (known also as the 7 sisters).
The heat has forced a change of habits. The day after the night of the thunderstorm. I rise early to catch the breeze and walk before the sun forces windows and curtains to be closed. Abney Park is cool and green with little sign of life among the headstones, it seemed even the wildlife is conserving energy for the day to come. In the evening, windows wide, I watched the bats come and go and then the stars appear, finally a very small fox cub.
Solstice sunshine 🌞 Washing speedily drying on the line, better hydrate myself! Lots of noise from the House Martin nests. The colourful flashes of butterflies and damselflies. Celebrating another trip round the sun.
The weather has been glorious, endless blue days and soft nights. The hills are lush and green, and the bats flitter at dusk. And it's my birthday today, the ultimate marker of summer!
House sparrows have been the noise of the week. A whole host of them in the bushes and hopping round the gardens on our street. Children walking to school in their sun hats, water bottles in hand. A brief thunderstorm this morning, but can still smell smoke on the moors 😔
For the first time I woke and dressed at 3.40am on the longest day and drove up the hill to watch the sun rise. It was magical and wonderful and I’m so glad I did it…. I went back to bed at 5am for a couple of hours! What a special time of year this is.
Red, white and blue, star-spangled displays have been moved to the front of the stores in anticipation of consumer enthusiasm for the 250th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As of today, the merchandise is still stacked high.
The head of a seal bobbing in the sea at West Wittering - and swallows darting in around and under the solar powered catamaran we enjoyed a solstice sunset cruise on around the local harbour.
Rhubarb is on my mind. The pretty green stalks melding into soft pink then magenta strike a creative chord. I’m collecting recipes for rhubarb mush mocktails, a tart topped with thin, braided rhubarb strips, crumbles and classic strawberry rhubarb pie. Rhubarb reminds me of Idaho summers with my grandmother. She would rip off a stalk, sprinkle with salt and munch it right then and there outside the back door.
I don’t think there’s anything nicer than sitting in the garden at twilight, candles twinkling, a glass of something cold and listening to the birds going to bed. The day stretched out as far as it will go.
We are at midwinter - cold, dark and wet - , and marking Matariki, the Maori new year, and observance of the cluster of the Matariki stars (known also as the 7 sisters).
I picked bright orange calendulas from my allotment to dry and make infused oil.
The heat has forced a change of habits. The day after the night of the thunderstorm. I rise early to catch the breeze and walk before the sun forces windows and curtains to be closed. Abney Park is cool and green with little sign of life among the headstones, it seemed even the wildlife is conserving energy for the day to come. In the evening, windows wide, I watched the bats come and go and then the stars appear, finally a very small fox cub.
Heard my first skylark, such a joyous moment.
Over to Grasmere for a night away, listening to tawny owls chatting away under the stars.
Solstice sunshine 🌞 Washing speedily drying on the line, better hydrate myself! Lots of noise from the House Martin nests. The colourful flashes of butterflies and damselflies. Celebrating another trip round the sun.
Hope you had a great birthday! 🌸
I did thank you 🙂
Early morning and young great tits and blue tits gathering around the pond to drink as the heat builds.
Sitting in the garden in the evening and listening to the birds.
Perfect way to end the day
The weather has been glorious, endless blue days and soft nights. The hills are lush and green, and the bats flitter at dusk. And it's my birthday today, the ultimate marker of summer!
Happy Happy Birthday Stephanie!
All good blessings to you on this day and for the year to come
Happy happy midsummer birthday Stephanie!
Happy birthday Stephanie!
Happy Birthday! I hope it is the best!
Happiest of birthdays!
Happy Birthday to you!
Hope you had a great birthday! 🌸
House sparrows have been the noise of the week. A whole host of them in the bushes and hopping round the gardens on our street. Children walking to school in their sun hats, water bottles in hand. A brief thunderstorm this morning, but can still smell smoke on the moors 😔
For the first time I woke and dressed at 3.40am on the longest day and drove up the hill to watch the sun rise. It was magical and wonderful and I’m so glad I did it…. I went back to bed at 5am for a couple of hours! What a special time of year this is.
Beautiful sky this morning as we walked the dogs before 5am and hundreds of damoiselles along the river.
Red, white and blue, star-spangled displays have been moved to the front of the stores in anticipation of consumer enthusiasm for the 250th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As of today, the merchandise is still stacked high.
The head of a seal bobbing in the sea at West Wittering - and swallows darting in around and under the solar powered catamaran we enjoyed a solstice sunset cruise on around the local harbour.
Rhubarb is on my mind. The pretty green stalks melding into soft pink then magenta strike a creative chord. I’m collecting recipes for rhubarb mush mocktails, a tart topped with thin, braided rhubarb strips, crumbles and classic strawberry rhubarb pie. Rhubarb reminds me of Idaho summers with my grandmother. She would rip off a stalk, sprinkle with salt and munch it right then and there outside the back door.