Saturday 24 July 2021

Close to Home


I woke early to another bright sunny morning. Once the laundry was folded and Mog had been fed, not necessarily in that order :) I set about baking some flapjack, leaving it to cool while we went out for a while. After several days of driving around in the hot weather, I decided we should spend the day much closer to home. For this reason, we settled for a gentle walk through some nearby fields and up over a small local fell. It was only a short climb to the top, breathing in sweet summer air, with the long grasses brushing against our legs and the ground beneath our feet appearing dry and scorched from the heat of the sun. 


The wildflower meadow is looking beautiful just now and is attracting so many butterflies to the area. I lost count of the Meadow Browns I spotted, although I didn't see any Cinnabar Moth caterpillars which usually adorn the ragwort there. There were, however, plenty of un-ripened blackberries on the bushes, which I will be keeping my eye on over the coming weeks :) 


Even though it had just turned ten o'clock, it was already very warm, and so we retreated back down the fell, to the cool shade by the river to fish for minnows. To the side of the road there is a narrow track through the trees which, unless you knew it was there, would be barely noticeable. And at this time of year the river there is low enough for the rocky shore to be used as the perfect secluded spot for a picnic or to simply cool off in the water.  
We returned home in time for lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden. A few more chapters of my book read, and Lily making the most of the paddling pool.
J. X


20 comments:

  1. Sounds idyllic. Much needed rain here and cooler temperatures which are also appreciated.

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    1. It is forecast to rain here later this week. X

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  2. No matter where you spend the day, you and Lily know how to enjoy yourselves. I'm so glad that the weather is sunny and warm; maybe even a bit too warm for you, but, "warm" is relative, isn't it? :D

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    1. These temperatures are perfect for me but I'm careful that Lily doesn't get too hot. X

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  3. You have such beautiful places close to home and are certainly making the most of this lovely sunshine.

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    1. I'm making the most of the good weather while we have it :)

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  4. Just lovely. What a refreshing, gentle day.
    xx

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    1. Sometimes a gentle day is just what is needed. X

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  5. Sometimes you just need a quiet day like that, very restorative. Much cooler up here yesterday - guess it is the same for you, but no rain yet.

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  6. It sounds like a lovely peaceful morning. How many minnows did Lily catch?

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    1. She caught seven, with a little help :)

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  7. It's lovely to have such beautiful places close to home so you don't have to travel far to enjoy some time away from the house. Sounds like a relaxing day without having to drive.

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    1. Without the need to set off early, it made for a more relaxed morning. X

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  8. That sounds like a wonderful day. x

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  9. What a wonderful day :)

    All the best Jan

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  10. I'm ashamed to say that these days I rarely walk down to the beach below my house. I really should. I think it's to do with seeing the same thing time after time and the rest of the time it's the fierce winds which I so dislike walking in.

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    1. With the changing seasons there is always something different to see here. Even if it's just the simple joy of a fuzzy thistle flower. X

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