13th.June 2012
Well I’m still desperately waiting for Summer to start down the Lane, we did have a brief encounter with some heat a fortnight ago, but since then a deluge of rain and cold – at least the hose pipe ban, which they said could go on for over a year, could be lifted at any moment!
Needless to say the rain has affected my three main summer interests; Cricket, Vegetable Gardening and when possible just getting out and about in the warmth.
The vegetable patch seems to be taking it all in it’s stride, the rain has certainly given them a good feeding but plants such as Sweet Corn and Carrots need a bit of sun, soon!
The Runner Beans are climbing well, the Squash and Courgettes are growing at a rapid pace and the Broad Beans just starting to show signs their harvest is not far off.
The Carrots and Beetroot which didn’t materialize on their first sowing are now coming through nicely on the second attempt. I’ve put mesh netting around the Carrots to deter Carrot Fly.
Wasps and Ants seem to be the main nuisance at present. I’ve already sorted out one Wasps nest and whenever I take away a Pot from almost anywhere, thousands of Ants appear.
Really they do no harm, just a pest!
I’ve Bumble Bees nesting under the Office and that’s a problem as they’re not in such a place they could be removed if I got someone in.
We’ve had a Visitor for 14 days or so, a Racing Pigeon! He certainly took a fancy to the top Shed and although you’re not supposed to feed them, being just a few feet away from the disused Freezer with Chicken Feed inside, how could I not !!
All’s well that ends well though and as suddenly as he turned up, he went. I’m pretty sure he did, no signs of any of the Cats having Pigeon Pie for breakfast anywhere.
The Chickens are getting into the annoying habit of eating their eggs. I put this don to boredom. The weather being what it is has forced them to stay in their Shelter most of the time and I guess that after laying they simply don’t have anything better to do with their time.
So here’s hoping for better weather and get that out the way.
Beside that, they seem well.
Ricardo – Northants Steelbacks No1 Fan – There’s no place like not home! – Mimi ‘No Brain’ the Cat
The Cricket has been severely affected by the weather and we’ve probably only managed to play about 30% in the last six or seven days.
This is a great pity as the Team who go down or the Team which goes up could be the Side least affected by delays.
My favourite venue, Tunbridge Wells took a hammering from the weather, the final twenty20 match being abandoned altogether. This is a great pity as the Staff at that Ground along with the local Council look after us so well and work very hard in the weeks leading up to the Festival.
Add to that it was a special year in so far as it being the 100th. Tunbridge Wells Cricket Festival Week it all adds up to disaster.
But life goes on. Alongside the Cricket I have some house sitting coming up and a couple of trips to Southampton.
July is a busy family Month; my Grandson’s birthday at the beginning of the Month, then my son Leo and daughter Vicky both share the same birthday!!!
The good news is that it’s at a time of the year when I’m at least earning a bit of money, so that cushions the landing a bit!
My Mother’s birthday is 26th.June – it all happens at once with the Cannons it seems.
What this weather has done is to make me think about Autumn and Winter already!! I’ve been collecting wood as and when I find it and looking at the possibility of maybe having a short holiday somewhere in October.
I haven’t been on a ‘proper holiday’ for some years and it may be just what the Doctor ordered, a few weeks in the Sun or somewhere else would be great.
Next week it will be one year since I set off on my John O’Groats to Land’s End Cycle Ride. How time flies, but the memories are still solid in my mind and many a late evening is spent looking at the route and photo’s all over again.
It has certainly given me a taste for adventure and many possibilities for other such projects to see me through the 60’s whilst I’ve still got legs which work quite well,,,,,sometimes!
Today is sunny, may that continue for us all.