Awash

On the way to town,
fields by the river awash;
flood plain doing its job.

Autumn Mists

The sun hides behind
a gauzy veil of cloud. Shy bride
of the autumn mists.

Old Fleece

Yes, I’m back at last. We have had a wonderful time touring through France to Spain and back and had some glorious weather most of the time. It didn’t begin to feel autumnal until we were at least half-way back through France. By the time we got back to the coast to make our ferry crossing torrential rain and gale force winds in the Channel caused all ferry sailings to be cancelled. We managed to book on the next one, half a day later, but it wasn’t the best of crossings. We also encountered bad weather for the first part of the journey home on the English side. This soon dried up, but we were then bedevilled with roadworks, road closures and deviations (including a lengthy detour from the M6 round Wolverhampton) as we drove north, finally arriving home in the small hours of the morning last Wednesday. Since then I have been catching up with various necessary jobs, cleaning the motorhome ready for winter lay-up, doing piles of washing and making an attempt at tidying the neglected garden. There is more to be done but it’s a start.

I sweep fallen leaves
wearing an old fleece jacket.
Damp autumnal chill.

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Sky

For a while the sky
looked as if it threatened rain;
but then changed its mind.

Soak

Not an end to drought
but the ground has had a soak.
Lovely, lovely rain.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

We have finally had a good rainfall overnight and all morning. Gentle rain that soaks in well and saves the need to water the garden for today at least. It has refilled my water butt. This is not the end of the drought though, rivers and reservoirs are still very low and hosepipe bans in place around the country, thankfully not where I live yet but I have been avoiding using the hose and only watering where necessary with waste water saved from the kitchen, using the watering can. The forecast is for another dry spell by the weekend. Still I am thankful for what we have, many areas have not had much at all for a long time.

Harvesting

The first runner beans
look ready for harvesting.
Dinner tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
I am back from my week away so will post about in next time! In the meantime I have been checking the garden.

Today

After intense heat
today it is bearable.
It might even rain!

Viola

Crack between paving slabs;
little viola takes advantage.
Nature's small victory.

Typical

Handful of hot days.
Now overcast and cloudy.
Typical summer.

Bliss

My arm in plaster
on the back of the tandem.
Cool summer breeze; bliss.
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Yesterday I went out for my first ride on the back on the tandem since we came home from the National Rally. The sun was quite warm, but it was cool when it disappeared behind clouds. My arm is quite uncomfortable when it is hot so I was glad of the cool breeze to cool me down. Roll on the next 10 days, when I hope the plaster will come off!