Allotment update

Having got back from Brighton yesterday and knowing we have several trips coming up shortly, we've been getting lots done today including a 5km run for me but mainly hedge cutting, grass cutting, clearing out the motorhome, cooking and a trip to harvest the produce from the allotment, as well as the usual quick strim.

Lots of courgettes which we'll have to work hard to keep up with, so many potatoes, I think I might have planted too many of them, lots and lots of runner beans, peas, raspberries, radish and greens with the prospect of more and more to come. There are carrots andleeks doing well, the french beans, beetroot and parsnips and so much more. I can't quite believe how well the plot is doing and am quite thankful it isn't bigger, otherwise I think we'd be overwhelmed

Brighton visit

A lovely weekend in Brighton with a highlight being the walk across the South Downs out past Hollingbury Golf Course to Stanmer. Fantastic views and so many insects in amongst the plants on the downs. 

CMS Prom

Maria looked lovely for her end of Year 8 prom which she attended yesterday evening. There will be some more photos to follow.

I I took the opportunity to go for a walk around the goat farm which looked amazing in the evening light. 

This morning we were at the church in Cranborne for Joseph's leaving service which was very moving. I cycled there and back and then did a 5 mile walk in the last of the sunshine before we get the thunderstorms according to the forecast.

Maria also completed her jazz exam successfully but decided to posptpone the  acro for another four weeks.

Hot enough for you?

It may be that I have overdone in the heat today. I started by taking Amelia to the park which was fine. Maria was off at her singing exam which went very well she thinks, so Amelia and I were able to have a lovely play on our own including more marble run adventures.

The garden bins had been emptied so I thought I'd crack on with cutting the hedges for us and next door and that was very hot work, up and down the ladder, very physical. This was immediately followed by a 20 mile bike ride to the allotment and back to drop some clothes off at Bridie's work and then strim the grass and collect some produce. A huge courgette was the stand out, along with potatoes, runner beans, our first of the year, peas, spinach and chard. All very nice indeed but by the time I got home I was shattered. I feel as if that is it for the day now, physically at least.

Riding the Dorset countryside

That isn't something you see every day! On the return journey from the school run I discovered that between then and the earlier journey to school, part of the remedy oak had come down across the road. It could have been shifted slightly to allow cars to pass but I wasn't sure the rest of the tree wasn't going to come down. What a sight! It has been there for a very long time and it has partially collapsed today, perhaps because of the extremely hot weather we have been having this week. 500 years of history.
 

The Oak Tree – has long been associated with healing powers. At Woodlands, on the corner of the road leading to the golf club, stands the Remedy Oak Tree. Here, King Edward VI healed people of “Kings Evil” or scurvy. In those days, the King was believed to have a divine touch.

By the time I had finished my ride the broken bough had been removed and the road was open once more. I managed 23 miles in riding out to Farnham and back and it was a pleasure to be on the road under such blue skies. It doesn't feel quite so hot when riding and you do get rests in between the effort of climbing. Some great views and you can see the harvest ready fields stretching out to the horizon but also nice to see meadows being allowed to flourish.

I'm off to Maria's dance studio next where she is preparing for her singing and acro exams over the next two days. I've got the mountain bike so I can go for a plunge into the woods whilst waiting.

Beach trip Durley Chine

 

Another very hot day and it looks set to continue for a few days yet. We were quickly off to Bournemouth after the school run with Alison popping into the shop to collect Maria's sports kit for QE and for a few things from Castlepoint. Then it was off to Durley Chine which is a great part of Bournemouth beach being just a short drive from the centre of town and taking you to a quieter section of the beach away from the bigger crowds. It was busier than on Friday but the sea was perfect and I had a long swim in the warm water.

I was straight out again after lunch and did a 2.3 mile walk before collecting the children. The birds have virtually disappeared now and the best sights are of the ripening fields which provide striking contrasts between green crops and fields of wheat which has turned golden.

I've just been for a 3.5 mile walk as Alison has taken Maria to dance and to get the shopping so I was doing a bit to get to 15,000 steps for the day, my daily target, before starting on a pasta tea. I am going to do a bit of writing first though. A poem about the rookery.

Sunny Sunday

It was another very warm day yesterday and I got out for a 5km run early as it was always going to be a bit too warm for one later. We had a trip to Bournemouth but to Joe's for a barbecue rather than the beach this time. The children alternated between the paddling pool and the trampoline having a very wet but enjoyable afternoon. Amelia certainly enjoyed squirting the hose at the others.

This morning Alison and I cycled to Verwood where I fixed the bench with the new piece of wood and stained it so that it blended more fully with the other slats. I also mowed the front and back lawms, something I did here once we'd got back home. I also took down some shelves as we prepare for Joy coming to live with us, as well as filling the pond with some additional water, fixing the gate post back to the wall, trimming the hedge alongside the motorhome, walking the goat farm and washing the car. 

A busy day in the heat but I am determined not to complain about the weather or to let it stop me getting on. There's been too much weather of the wrong sort to waste time moaning now.

Heatwave weekend

 

We had a lovely meal at the Cinnamon Lounge on Friday evening and a late night enjoying the conservatory. It meant a slower start to Saturday than usual but I was soon on the bike down to Verwood to collect a piece of wood which will repair a bench made by Robin. One of the slats had rotted and broke some weeks ago and it has been a struggle trying to find something suitable. We got there in the end though through Frouds Fencing which happens to be in the same road as Joy's which was convenient in carrying the piece of wood there whilst riding the bike.

Of course, the sun was out and I had a very enjoyable ride across Holt Heath with the sun a real pleasure. I've done plenty of wet and windy days in cold and wishing the summer was here. There is no way you'll hear me complaining about the heat.

I strimmed the allotment and picked a few vegetables including the first potatoes and first courgette. There are so many things to come it is very exciting. I then stopped at the Horton Inn for a pint on the way back and just had a thoroughly pleasant morning.

In the evening we were at Edmondsham for Joseph's show which was put together in his after school drama club. We enjoyed that enormously and the children had a great time earlier in the paddling pool sliding on plastic sheets and creating mayhem out there. Just what was needed on a hot day.

38th Wedding Anniversary

Alison and I got married on 16th July 1983 and so celebrated our anniversay today with a trip to the beach to coincide with the start of some very warm weather. It was lovely going in for the first time this year without the wet suit and we enjoyed the relative quiet of the beach with the schools not yet on holiday.

I walked back from Verwood listening to a programme about Bruckner's 7th symphony and also got out for a ride of 8 miles on the mountain bike whilst Alison took Maria to dance and singing ahead of the tap exam on Sunday and her jazz, acro and singing next week, Thursday and Friday. They mess up the last days of school for her but she has worked very hard on her routines, so fingers crossed. 

Maria has her prom next week too, so it is going to be busy but there is more to come with trips to Brighton, Leominster, Christchurch, the Gower Peninsula and Cornwall over the next 6 weeks.

Penultimate Thursday of school run

With the children moving up schools, we won't be having to do the school run soon which is great. It is also near the end of us having Amelia for the day each Thursday as she will be starting school in September, so  a bit more free time for us on its way.

Today I did a 3.5 mile run and then got lost in hedge trimming again before making an aubergine lasagne for tea. I'm heading out on the bike shortly as Alison is taking Maria to dance and I will have a couple of spare hours before they return.

Summer

A lovely day at last. Nice to have some warm sunshine at last. I had a four mile run this morning after the school run and then got on with different bits and pieces including a bit of hedge trimming and a litter pick. The litter bag was completely full by the time I got back which is disappointing. 

Joy came up for the afternoon and a bit of lunch, so it was Bargain Hunt on TV! I took myself off on the bike to Verwood to see if I could get a bench slat to replace a broken piece on a bench Robin had made years ago. There was a great guy in Froud's fencing who looks as if he will be able to cut a piece to size for me. I went to Morrisons next and got a few bits for the meals later in the week. 

I did a toad in the hole for tea and it was very tasty, especially with the curry gravy. 

In the afternoon we had a bit of time in the garden and you can see the cat enjoying a lap to sit in, hollyhocks, a log I drilled holes in which the bees have colonised, a lovely butterfly and the cast off skin of an emerging dragonfly. Very exciting to see that in the pond, at least the second to have emerged recently. 

Hedge cutting

I've been down in Verwood on the bike today, visiting the library and then on to Joy's house where I spent a few hours cutting the laurel hedge, just a section of it, and then the rhododendron  bushes. It was quite a feat getting the cuttings packed into the garden waste bin but I got it done. I also filled the bird feeders and weeded the vegetable plot.

I was surprised how wet the back garden was. In fact there is a puddle of water bu the border from the torrential rain we had yesterday.

Before leaving I spent a bit of time finishing off tidying the garage. I have managed to clear away all of the stuff which has no purpose any longer, broken, empty, worn out and so on. There are some useful electric items eg hedge trimmers and pressure washer but there is an awful lot of junk, bits and pieces kept for years just in case.

Once back home I listed to 'To the Lighthouse' whilst walking a mile up to the crossroads and back picking up the litter as I went. It was pleasing to find less than has been the case in the past but still lots of cigarette packets and crisp packets. Just the one empty bottle of Blossom Hill wine today.

Quite a weekend!

Sunday was a very busy day after the rain of Saturday when I got out for a good long walk round the village. We were taking part in the freecycle event in the village and got a good amount of stuff out on the drive for people to help themselves to and we were amazed at how quickly our piles went down. It was a very successful event and we were delighted to participate.

I took the opportunity to ride to the allotment where I strimmed the grass and weeded, the ground continuing to be nice and soft after the rain we are still getting almost daily. I picked some chard and spinach and peas for lunch which we had with Joy up for the afternoon.

Later I was out in the utility room sorting through our garlic which has dried nicely and is now stored for the next few months. I'd say we have plenty to keep us going till the winter at least. It partly depends on how well it keeps.

There was also time to prick out the lettuce seedlings which ought to give us lettuce for the next few months without any effort now. The same is true of potting on some spinach and beetroot. We'll see how they get on with larger pots now. Again, they could be great for providing us with lots of veg from very little effort.

Of course, it was then time for the football. Well, not quite. There were hours to kill as 8pm seemed a long way off. Joseph was using cheese and curry powder to enact the Vindaloo song and we watched lots of football related videos on Youtube to get us in the mood. I did switch the coverage on at about 6.30 and it was exhausting or maybe I'd had too much to drink already by then.

Maria decorated the room with red and white everywhere and was so excited. The children have loved the whole thing. It was a desperately disappointing result for them but at least there was the crumb of comfort in Italy being the winners, our Italian heritage being brought to the fore.

Woodlands walk

Having spent time this morning working through tasks linked with my mother's estate and a class action claim related to my car, it being diesel, I was able to get out for a good walk round the golf course at Remedy Oak.

The photos show views across to the golf course and of a field running adjacent to one of the holes. I love the views and the colour of the flowers looking over to the actual course itself.

Family day

We had Amelia for the day and spent the morning with her down in Verwood enjoying a coffee at the Heritage Centre at Ferrets Green, following which Joy came back to Woodlands with us for some lunch and to watch the tennis. Amelia and I had a visit to the park before I had to take her home but it wasn't long before Uncle Paul arrived for the night.

It was lovely to take Indy for a walk round the goat farm after losing Maisy in early May. Very tempted by another dog. It is probably only a matter of time.

Allotment harvest

You can see just a small selection of our pickings from the allotment this morning. These are the first peas and they look lovely. The radishes seem a bit too big probably but not to worry and the strawberries continue to taste lovely with the raspberries starting to come too. There was plenty of spinach and chard as well, so all coming along nicely.

The first early potatoes will be ready soon and the leeks, courgette, cabbage, parsnips and french beans, runner beans and beetroot are also making good progress.

From the allotment we went to Verwood to cut the lawns and I also got the woodstain out for the old bench in the front garden. I did our gates yesterday, along with the swing seat, and they both look all the better for a bit of attention.

Taking inspiration

This is a photo of the sign on the way into Woodlands across Crane Valley golf course from which I have taken inspiration for the poem in yesterday's entry. I'll use it to complete the poem tomorrow.

For today I did a quick run alongside a warm up and warm down, as well as walking over three miles, in showers of rain at times but nothing too much. I've also been out putting the wood stain on the front gates to protect them from the elements and all while listening to 'To the Lighthouse.' 

Wet Tuesday

It's another damp start to the day here in July. The summer has been so disappointing so far. I think I was away in Scotland when the best of the weather was here and missed the heatwave which lasted a couple of days. Overnight there has been heavy rain again and we've got more on the way with strong winds too. 

It does mean I don't have to worry too much about the allotment in respect of the watering of the plants, although harvesting and weeding will need to keep going.

I got wet cycling down to Joy's yesterday, a journey which was required simply to put her garden waste bin out for collection but I enjoyed it despite the weather.

The photo is of a pie I made for tea which I was pleased with even though I did use shop bought puff pastry. It was delicious, though I say so myself.

 

Writing

A quiet day at home appealled after a busy weekend and so I have been taking it easy today. I did 5km run after the school run and a nice 1.5 mile walk after lunch but my other tasks have been more muted e.g. clearing the garden up after the weekend, filling the bird feeders, fixing some solar lamps and cooking.

The two photos are from my walk round the goat farm. The grasses look fantastic at the moment, almost seductive. I just want to walk in and lie down in amongst the soft stems with the airy seed heads floating above.

As it happens, I have got back to writing for the first time in a while. Not on the next novel but on poetry as I want to put together a collection of lockdown poems reflecting the locality based on my walks and runs and encounters with different people and events.

The first poem is about crossing from Verwood into Woodlands and I am pleased at the shape it is taking. The main point I want to make here is about the slightly ambivalent feeling there has been regarding visitors to the village. In the first instance I have to say that Woodlands, much as I love living here, isn't a standout place to come to. It's perfectly decent and has some beautiful walks but no more than thousands of other similar places across the country. And yet there was a slight sense that these people who were out walking more due to lockdown were welcome to come but with a certain sense of being put up with rather than embraced, of our special places being held closer to our breasts lest others come and spoil them somehow. 

I don't know why there was that sense of ownership and territoriality, a bit of a reluctance to share almost, all at the same time as recognising there was a need for people to get out and about and opportunities to explore places which were close by but completely neglected until now.

I have tried to capture that ambivalence and slight apprehension in the poem. It isn't finished but I am getting on with it.

Welcome

Beyond the hatches and across the fairways, the ground rises.

At a distance, there stand ditches, softened in time,

Woodland and field, a landscape revealed on high

Where age old guardians, solid like first forged iron

Gaze on beauty in fear, ramparts speared into the good soil.

Here the path, constrained by a broken line of trees, shouldered

By banked greens, narrows to a dark entrance,

The trees bent to a cave opening, a passage inside.

The promised gloom lightens on entry, thicket thinning,

Soft earth muffles sound, mounded like snow.

A gate, solidly green in its coat of mosses, does not fit,

Like the sleeves of a knitted jersey loved onto the arms of a grandchild

Who has grown beyond memory. It lies open, swings easily,

A boundary erased. When once it would have been a stop

The walker now only pauses to view an unexpected sign.

Facing down the visitor, it welcomes guardedly, at once

Boastful and secretive, cautionary in its celebration. 

Come for a barbecue and stay the weekend

That was a busy weekend. We had family over for a barbecue on Friday evening and I did a table of tapas for when they arrived before we got on with the barbecue later, as Bridie was at work till 6.30 which was when Maria was home from her singing lesson too.

In the end we had them stay over for the night so we could enjoy a later evening and have a few drinks too. The football was on as well and everyone has been bitten by the football bug. 

That meant they stayed on Saturday too so we could watch the England game together and it turned out to be a comfortable 4 - 0 win which has got them all excited. Nice  to see Jordan Henderson score. During the day we popped up to the village green and played football and tennis and Maria was dancing and doing her acro. The big space was just right and we had a lovely time together.

Even after the excesses of the previous night, we were up in time for parkrun and Evie did her third best time and Amelia got another one completed too. Evie picked up her marathon wrist band having completed 20+ runs now.

Bits and pieces

I spent a fair bit of the morning sorting mum's estate again but I think that is it for a while now. We had Amelia for the day and took a trip to Verwood park and to Joy's before lunch. We then had a good game with the marble run which has become something of a habit of late. It is good fun and Amelia likes racing the marbles down.

Whilst the others did the school run I had a 3.5 mile run which was very warm. You will see how nice it was in the second photo when I took a walk round the dairy farm route.