Thunderstorm

In one direction there were glimmers of blue sky and Juno and I set out for a long afternoon walk, me with my binoculars and ready for any showers before the weather became stormier later in the day. My timing turned out very poor as from the same vantage point looking over toward Horton, the clouds were looking steelier. I decided to walk toward them as the constant rumble of low level thunder built up, expecting to be able to turn back before things deteriorated. However, I got things spectacularly wrong.

Juno and I walked a usual route until we decided to go toward Haythorne, somewhere I had cycled during lockdown but didn't know. It seemed a good time to explore! I found a new path and started walking up it wondering if it would sweep round to take me back toward home. It seemed promising but whilst walking up a slight incline I took in the reality of a complete bank of black cloud which was then illuminated right across with forks of lightning moments before the thunder cracked right overhead. The way in which the horizn lit up was incredible and I was instantly aware that the storm was going to explode right over us with home 2 miles away, trees all around and rain starting to fall.

Turning round, Juno and I were soaked in seconds as flash after flash and crack after crack loomed over us with all the threatened violence of the darkness. It was difficult to see too far ahead with the rain pelting down and the skies so dark. Juno was wet through and I was soon in a similar predicament, the light rain jacket doing a decent job up to a point but my shorts like wet cardboard in moments necessitating a complete change of clothes after a shower once back.

The walk took just over an hour for the four miles, the return being walked at pace and I will admit to being a little anxious as the storm broke and we seemed so far from home with the prospect of lightning accompanying us all the way. The thunder was so deep, cracking like something from a horror film, the rumbling continuing for long periods. It was good to get back on the road as the rain began to ease and to start to feel the pleasure of the excitement generated by the thrill of the storm.
 

Sleepover Saturday

I had taken Juno out for a long walk and made the most of the drier weather before the promised rain arrived and there was still plenty of blue in the skies giving the countryside that lovely autumnal feel, especially with the leaves turning more fully.

By the time I was home, all three grandchildren were arriving for the day and a sleepover which meant we had plenty of opportunity to get out and about. I took them all to Wimborne in the morning for a tour of the charity shops where we spent our time looking for halloween items, each of the children having a few pounds for their purchases. It was good fun dodging the showers and exploring the shops with no pressure of time and we stopped for a healthy snack, the children each choosing a plum and an organge from the grocery shop. 

After lunch we waited for Sandra to arrive before heading to Boys Wood and looked for fungi, Joseph and Evie taking photos as they walked. Juno got filthy but was spoilt by the slow pace of the children meaning she got a long walk chasing off into the undergrowth and exploring all over whilst we took our time. It was lovely being able to light the wood burner in the utility room and we all ended up enjoying the warnth whilst having toast and crisps, chatting and reading. The children loved it.

It was time for Strictly and we all stayed up to watch it before the children went to bed and settled for a good night's sleep. We were woken by a thunderstorm and lightning which brought Evie and Amelia in just before 7 and I was up and out with Juno shortly afterwards.

A walk in the woods

Just a couple of photos of mushrooms taken whilst walking Juno this morning. The start of the day was an unusual one with Maria off school in order to complete her grade 5 modern jazz exam which went well. That meant there was no need to be up so early and I lay in but Alison was up and about still and she took Juno out for a short walk to do the necessary. 

With Maria having breakfast and sorting herself out for the exam later, I took Juno out for a good long walk in the rain, not too heavy though. We took in the woods and enjoyed the solitude. At home I made a start on the usual clearing up activities, feeding the birds, recycling, hoovering and making some lunch. 

The exam went well and was over with enough time for a return home before driving back to dance for the 4 till 7.45 session, including half an hour for singing. I had already spent the afternoon in the utility room throwing out old shoes and other rubbish we'd held on to for far too long and moving the furniture around. It looks more spacious and tidier of course, all ready for an evening in front of the woodburner.

Walking in the rain

It dawned dark and damp this morning, although the rain hadn't got going yet to nay degree. It waited for Juno and I to almost finish the goat farm circle before getting more steady but that was to be no deterrent when it came to our longer walk mid morning. By the time we had left I had finished cleaning the oven, this time taking the oven door apart in order to get at the glass more easily and so attack the brown stains from the oil and grease which made the door an unappetising sight.

The walk was the first time in a while when I had layered up to avoid a soaking, hiking boots on, waterproof leggings, a thin waterproof coat and a larger, more substantial red jacket. In addition I used one of my buffs for around the neck to ensure I stayed nice and toasty. It proved unnecessary after a mile as the rain stopped and I quickly became a little overheated! Juno still managed to get very wet though and muddy too and we enjoyed the quiet paths near the solar farm before heading down toward Horton Lane and back up the bridleway that takes you back toward the path down to Martins Farm. 

It smelt autumnal today and everything had been wet through, dripping and softening in mid October. There was plenty of greenery but the colours are changing too and leaves are starting to fall more quickly.

Once home I was able to enjoy a sandwich whilst catching up on the latest chaos surrounding the leadership of the country. Truss is out and the shortest lived PM on record, something she is eminently worthy of, a politician devoid of talent and a symbol of the tragedy of Brexit and marginalisation of ability against the needs of being a devout believer in the project. Johnson himself never truly believed in it, neither did Truss of course, neither did Theresa May but they all had to contend with the nutcases of Ukip and their ilk who found a home in an increasingly xenophobic Tory Party. Perhaps the next PM will be able to ignore the voices on the right. Maybe their high water mark of influence has now gone and sense may come back into fashion.

In the meantime I watched the speech from Downing Street on my hands and knees giving the parquet floor a once over with the wood restorer polish. There was still time to make a fruit cake which is currently in the oven, and to get the jacket potatoes ready to be accompanied by roast tomatoes, garlic and harissa, alongside couscous, plus a salad.

Glen rang from Ullapool where he and Harry enjoyed a raucous night yesterday by all accounts and are staying nice and cosy despite the cold weather as they tour the north of Scotland.

 

Walking

Change is in the air as we move well into autumn but the threatened rain failed to materialise and we have enjoyed a warm day with plenty of time outdoors. Juno and I had been out before 6.30 for our morning walk in the dark. There's something nice about switching the headtorch off and walking the 1.2 miles in the first glimmerings of light coming from the sun which won't be up for another hour or so.

Maria and Alison were soon off to their respective schools which left me with the opportunity to vacuum upstairs and downstairs, including the stairs, cleaning and then specifically cleaning the oven with soda crystals and hot water. It was a bigger job than I'd expected so it was after 10 before Juno and I set out for the long morning walk, 3 miles towards the Horton Tower which you can just make out in the photos. Juno did a bit of posing along the way and we sped around, something I am trying to do having decided to have a break, perhaps permanent, from running. I have to recognise that mobility is such a privilege and I don't want to end up damaging my knees or anything else by pounding the streets and tracks of Woodlands. I still love doing it but are there risks involved e.g. damaging my ankle again? 

I'm hoping I can spend more time walking with Juno and intend to put some pace into it so that my heart is being exercised, and there is still the cycling too. We will see how it goes.

Once home I was off on the bike to Morrisons taking the longer way round by Sutton Holms for a few bits and pieces. I did over 7 miles and then spent a little while oiling the joints as it were and pumping up the tyres to ensure it is in the best condition. 

After some lunch I was back out, this time litter picking and found just the one empty blossom hill bottle. There were so many differing types of fungi on the roadside and I would love to be able to identify more of them. I might pop out and photograph some tomorrow.

 

Woods and allotment

I should have mentioned riding to Verwood in the previous post where I spent some time cutting the front hedge for Joy and then cutting the grass. Today I was back on the bike but this time it was to Wimborne for a few hours at the allotment. Juno is doing well for walks with plenty of time in the woods which is enjoyable in the midst of the continuing mostly dry weather.

Once in Wimborne I was able to plant out the remainder of the onions and to get the garlic in. That bed is nicely packed and promises good crops next summer. The next task was taking down the last of the beans sticks and spent plants and clearing the weeds which had taken root under the protection of the beans. I also got more of the strawberry plants out, harvested more greens and weeded other parts of the plot.

The final task today was putting together the mini greenhouse which is for planting seeds and bringing them on under shelter. I found having seedlings to plant worked far better than planting seeds direct into the ground during the summer and have found a solution, I hope. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

The ride home was longer than expected as one of the roads near home was closed due to water works, even for cyclists like me and I added a couple of miles to the total, 20 all told. 

The next task was cooking having done lentil soup earlier in the day. I started the chilli off and then moved on to hummus, then the rice and vegetables for Maria, as well as doing enough lentil burgers for later in the week.

Happy birthday Maria

Glen and Harry had very generously provided their home for Maria's sleepover party on Saturday and they had even spent their time before setting off to Scotland making it just right for a party with lots of decorations and candles. Maria was so pleased to be able to bring her friends over for Saturday afternoon and to have a slightly scary night in the middle of nowhere.

We took the girls to Salisbury where they watched a film at the Odeon whilst I walked to the library which has a floor for exhibitions which were very interesting before finding a pub to see the football scores coming in. Then it was back to Hale for party food and games.

I took Chrissie and Jamie back to ours for the night but we were back again the next morning for the clear up and transport home. Maria had a lovely time and still had her actual birthday to come.

Allotment Friday

I fear I may be overdoing things a little again but I have managed to get a lot done today, despite the grey skies. The rain kept off right until the end which was a nice surprise but I started with the usual dog walk followed by a run of just under 5 miles. Once I'd done the cleaning and fed the birds I got in the motorhome and popped to the shops for some beers and whisky, for later on, not whilst at the allotments.

At West Moors I cut up the raspberry and redcurrant canes I'd dug up a few weeks ago. This meant I could compost them and I was able to add the last of the runner bean plants after taking a few remaining pods off first. There were still more tomatoes to be had and I will try to ripen them off, as well as a dozen more squashes waiting to be brought home.

I stopped at Stewarts on the way to Wimborne and steadfastly ignored the festive display and shut my ears to the Christmas music, at last able to get some garlic bulbs ready for planting. They have been so expensive from Suttons I have waited for them to turn up on the shelves. It was also  a good time to buy some new twine too.

Once in Wimborne I strimmed the plot once again and just have the top part to do once I have tidied it up. Till now it was where things were dumped or stored depending on your point of view. It is going to be an area of ground ready for turning to beds for planting, thus further increasing the size of the plot. I got one of the beds ready for planting by digging out the weeds and raking the soil over. This meant I could crack on with planting more of the onion sets, white and red, those not planted at West Moors a couple of weeks back. I listened to Melvyn Bragg's autobiography on Audible whilst working away and am enjoying it immensely. 

The allotment is looking much better now and I am keen to get back soon to crack on with the various tasks which remain.

Once home I got a red lentil curry done for tea and then took a final dog walk with Juno as the sun set. The photos give some sense of it but aren't truly effective in cpaturing the awesome light. 

Wimborne ride to allotment

 After two early dog walks, I had a village hall meeting about a forthcoming bonfire night get together which should be fun. This meant I took a little longer in leaving for the allotment than planned but it was at least nice and warm by this time. 

I did the 17 mile round trip on the bike having avoided riding for a few weeks due to the back pain I had been experiencing. It was lovely in the sunshine and it is such a lovely feeling to be wheeling along in the countryside under your own steam - excepting the fact it is an electric bike!

The first thing I did was walk into Wimborne where there is a shop which provides refills for herb jars and I got lots of herbs and spices for just over three pounds, the cost of the product in the supermarket being higher in the main due to the cost of the container. It must be at least four times cheaper buying it this way. 

I got the grass strimmed finishing the job off from last week's visit when the battery had run out due to the length of the grass after a few weeks away. I took down the beans and stacked the bamboo canes neatly on one side, a contrast to the mess of the clearout I am having which has started a pile of debris to be tossed once completed. There is so much spinach and chard that we can live on that for weeks to come and I found more potatoes as I prepared one of the beds for planting out some onions and garlic, plus a few last broad beans. There is still time to get some winter lettuce planted too.

There was still time to remove more of the strawberries and to get a little more tidying up done.

It's time to get the tea going. There's butternut squash soup ready and I have the rest of the squash ready for roasting with peppers and tomotoes. That will go with lentil burgers, spinach from the allotment and a second go at vegan mac and cheese. Fingers crossed.

Verwood hedging

I've ended up with over 25000 steps today following a busy day of dog walking and a run down to Verwood and back. Perhaps the best thing about the day has been the weather when, after a cold start, the sun shone throughout and it was warm enough for just a tshirt in the garden.

Before running to Verwood I had managed to relieve myself of the batch of green tomatoes I'd picked yesterday walking through the village to drop them off and receiving some medlar fruit in exchange. I'd never heard of it before and will need to search out how to use them online.

Glen had kindly dropped off the ladder and hedge cutters down at Joy's for me and I managed to get most of the front garden finished. The new ladder was great in helping me reach the thickest parts and I made good progress. Having decided to call it a day, I ran back and that finished me off. I was aching all over but there were another two dog walks and tea to make which we had whilst watching Miss Marple with Margaret Rutherford, old films which I have enjoyed many times before but they are fun.

I'm hoping the photos show the neatness of the hedges and also the view across the bridge at Horton Lane. 

Monday miscellaneous

It's been a long day starting before dawn with a walk in the dark with Juno. In a change of routine we only went for a short outing at first whilst waiting for the light to come. We were out for a run by 7.30 and got over 4 miles done. Once the house had been vacuumed, the kitchen and toilets cleaned and the utility room tidied, I got the lawns mowed including the verge outside.

You'll see the mushroons all round the tree stumps I brought in a couple of years ago. I don't know if that is linked but it looks pretty spectacular.

After some lunch I drove to West Moors allotment to get more produce and ended up with a couple of spare sqaushes and about 8kgs of green tomatoes which are out for the use of anyone in the neighbourhood. I took Juno out to the woods before starting on the tea, vegan chilli with rice and homemade tortillas. The surplus chickpeas were used for this week's hummus.

Finally, Juno and I were out for a walk in the dark under the harvest moon.