Dorset lifestyle
The irises are looking good and the first water lilies just need a little more sunshine to make them open. Smudge likes to drink out of the waterfall which has slowed down to a trickle so the filter needs cleaning – a job for a sunny day. Cycle from Pamphill to The Anchor for coffee, and skittles in the evening. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Staying in on a day of thrashing rain and gale force winds, the woodburner was lit early and the log baskets filled up, most of the wood is stored out of the rain but still needs some drying out before burning. The donkeys couldn’t go out in the puddly paddock so amused themselves moving their sticks around, cut apple tops for them when the rain eased off. The spring is running into the ditch, it’s clogged with leaves in places so needs clearing. A dry end to the day with the wind gradually dropping.
Enjoying the sunshine and the shade of the lemon tree, the clocks have gone back so the hours of warm sunshine may lessen. Torrential rain last night has made the paddock even wetter, let the donkeys out for a couple of hours for a run around, William stopped to eat the first clump of grass he saw and they had another hazel branch to eat when they came back up to the stable. A warm sunny day with light winds.
Enjoying the warm sunshine, stretched out until I disturbed him, the days are cooler in the morning and evening but the sun still feels hot in the light winds. Gathered several bags of nettles to dry ready for the sheep to eat in the winter, by then they’ll be really crisp. Bagged compost to give to friends and topped up a raised bed, watered the vegetables, picked mange-tout, courgettes, runner beans, tomatoes and apples. The Red Arrows flew over the misty vale on their way to the Bournemouth Air Show.
Heavy rain showers are making the straw area very wet and the gateway to the avenue is especially muddy, which is unusual for this time of year. Not helped by the donkeys chasing each other around, kicking and bucking, may have to consider mud mats. Smudge was interested in joining me on the hardstanding, he thought better of it when the donkeys preferred sticking their heads through the rails and looking at him, to eating thistles. A cool day with squally showers.
William and Toby taking an interest in Smudge who ventured within a yard or so of their yard. The swallows are still flying in and out of the tack room despite there being a broken egg and a couple of tiny birds on the floor this morning, there must be a bigger fledgling in the nest. Balloons are drifting along the vale morning and evening, taking advantage of the hot weather. Another very hot day with light winds and a pale pink sunset sky.
Sitting on a straw bale in the workshop, listening for approaching donkeys, Smudge isn’t confident with them and runs away, which is unusual as he’s fearless with everything else. He won’t go near the sheep and isn’t that interested in the fish, not like Poppy. Cycle ride from Child Okeford to Shillingstone down the trailway, past the Owl Barn to Bere Marsh with coffee at Sturminster Newton. Lunch outside in the sunshine, a warm day with moderate winds.
Smudge taking an interest in the barbecue, as the charcoal warmed up and the rain started he stayed sitting underneath, warming his back. Turned part of the compost heap, the latest load of grass cuttings are steaming and are now mixed in with a few barrow loads of sheep and donkey poo; another raised bed has arrived and will need filling so will have to brave the nettles and start removing half rotted compost from the other end of the heap. Removed a deer tick from behind my knee. A drizzly end to a cool day with cloudy sunshine.
Needed a visit to the vet as his face was swollen and red round his whiskers, a few hours later he’d had three teeth removed and his ears cleaned. He always shakes his head and then wobbles about a bit so hoping his balance will have improved, definitely not too steady on his feet when he came out of the cat basket, he slept for twelve hours and then went out for ten minutes before having a wash and falling asleep again. No doubt he’ll liven up over the next few days, I’m not sure Poppy missed him! Fish and chips from the van in Child Okeford. A cloudy sunny day with light winds.
Smudge always walks to this dead tree whenever he goes outside, he likes to keep his claws nice and sharp, it’s main purpose is to keep the front gate open so I’m not sure how long it’ll be before it needs replacing. Checked the ditch, spring not flowing, ferried a few more barrowloads of compost from the heap to the hedgerow. Watched the rooks swooping around as the shoot scared the wildlife in the field on the other side of the lane. A frosty start to the day, early sunshine and light winds replaced with increasing cloud and falling temperatures with a promise of snow overnight.
Caper Spurge growing next to the runner beans which have a few first flowers. They won’t be helped by a second cold day with strong winds and rain showers although there was some late evening sunshine. The grass will start growing again if we get sunny days; the hay harvest was early and half the usual yield so the farmers are hoping for a second load later in the year.
