Written 18th July
Hi
As I sit here in front of our Spanish fan, purchased sometime in the 1990’s in Majorca, then flown home in the hold just packed in its box, miraculously still humming away in the background, I can hear the very British sound of a lawn mower, typical of a Sunday morning in suburbia. This will be Garry by the way, who, despite the already 30 degree heat has decided that our lawns need mowing and it must be done immediately. I am not really sure why, but who am I to argue and he wouldn’t listen anyway.
It’s difficult to know what to do with my self this morning. It is so hot that the moment I move I break out into what I can only describe as a very unladylike sweat. Or as my ‘Little Gran’ (the 5’ 2” Scottish one who had a thought on most things) would say; Ladies don’t sweat they perspire', (quietly in a corner I am assuming). Not me, I huff a lot when I'm hot I realise and more alarmingly my face has developed a bright red hue (you know that vaudeville rouge colour of a fallen lady who drinks a pint of gin a day). Perhaps this is why Garry has decided he needs to be out of the house this morning? He would rather battle the extreme heat than have to deal with my loud huffing and bodily reactions to a very hot Sunday morning.
Well tomorrow is the 19th. Don’t know where you are all sitting with that, but reading around the subject many scientists around the world think Boris has lost his marbles. Who knows perhaps he never had any? Well, only time will tell, opening up on the 19th that is, not Boris and his marbles.
Well that’s my chunter over for today. I am chuntering a lot at the moment I think it's the heat.
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Back to the border with Wales
Some of the hedgerow wildflowers on our cycle route including the wild Dog-Rose
We recently managed a few days away on the borders of Shropshire and Montgomery. Luckily the weather was kind and we had a wonderful bike ride through the hills behind the Mynd, with the Stiperstones in the distance and Mitchells Fold so close you could touch it. We discovered a wonderful nature reserve 'Gwachoale Natur', tucked into a narrow valley, with Roundton Hill Fort in the midst of it, where man has lived and worked for possibly up to 4000 years. I guess the top of which is in sight of the standing stone circle at Mitchells Fold. We also found the pretty St Etheldreda Church where we enjoyed a peaceful rest whilst admiring the views.
Click on the arrow to view
Another day we took a short drive out to the now well known Ludlow Farm Shop, where there is a wonderful local artists gallery and later we stopped for a picnic and explore around the very pretty Stokesay Castle (English Heritage). It was a hot day too.
It was a lovely break in a beautiful part of the country. We stayed on a very well maintained 'Tranquil Campsite' in the Camlad Valley and enjoyed watching the mist rolling over the hills in the morning. The largest bird we spotted was the majestic Red Kite (a very successful breeding program has secured their survival here) and the smallest, the wonderful Wren with her very loud and beautiful song.
We were also woken at 5 in the morning by the sound of howling dogs on the next pitch which in turn set off other dogs on the site, of which there were many. Having grown up in a family that’s always had dogs we never had the howling dawn chorus problem. In between the doggy dawn chorus and late night party on the pitch behind us, we were serenaded with a wonderful array of 80’s classics from the caravan opposite. Luckily the 70’s and 80’s were our era so we knew the lyrics to most, although we thought he did need to increase his repertoire somewhat, as his playlist got a little repetitive after the first day.
That said we cannot fault the campsite owners who after apparently numerous complaints about the noise, were brilliant and quietly and efficiently managed to sort everything out and peace and quiet resumed. So 10 out of 10 to them.
Luckily it didn’t detract from a relaxing few days in the countryside.That reminds me I must go and find my Dexy's Midnight Runners Album.
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog hope everyone is well and coping with the very hot weather.
Until next time
Caroline
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