AUGUST GOLD

Another week gone by and almost the halfway point of the holiday. OB and I had our first day free from friends and visiting today and it was rather a relief to be honest. I caught up on some of the increasing pile of admin, if not the increasing pile of ironing. I've managed to scupper summer by buying OB a season ticket for the pool. Instant rain and a chill in the air. 

The moor at the moment, is turning gold as we head for autumn. Contributing to this, is the fact that there is more gorse in flower than I think I have ever seen here at one time. The grasses are browning at the tips and the combination is stunning in all lights. 

These next ones are taken on my phone and, blown up, they look like paintings don't you think?

Someone was looking at me when I went to see Trigger the other day:

We have a family of Buzzards nesting somewhere in the shelter belt. I just couldn't get a good one of all four of them together but here are a few of the parents:

I trimmed the hedge by hand at the weekend. I can't believe we only planted it three and a half years ago:

The skies have been grey for days now:

The people I went to see about Trigger last week came to see him yesterday. Unfortunately, the day before, he had his idea of the day from hell. The extremely kind farmer who lets me put him in with the Madams decided to move them back up to the original field closer to us. Unfortunately, this move involved herding them with a quad bike and I imagine much shouting. When I got to him later that afternoon, he was in a complete lather, prancing about and not letting me anywhere near him. Luckily, the next morning, with much calming, I managed to get him home. He was like the pony I met four and a half years ago and I was in tears at the prospect of months of work. However, when I introduced them, he was a little better but he really isn't what they're looking for. They said something very telling: that he needs ME being the constant in his life for the first time in his life. Looks like we're stuck with each other.

On Saturday we're off to Kingsand in Cornwall, just over the Sound from Plymouth. A week in a tiny cottage in a place we had a lovely holiday five years ago. Three days after I had my accident, we were supposed to go there but obviously didn't. We'll be away for the third anniversary of that horrible day. I still feel lucky to be here every day.

So sorry I'm being such a rubbish follower at the moment. I snatch ten minutes here and there when I can but OB  and his antics are dominating most of my time. One of the biggest things is the fact that he's going to bed a bit later and I end up with an hour and a half of time without him being around wanting to chat and comment on his every move! I know ten is early for me to be going to bed, but I'm up at six thirty every morning. So, until next time, when we get back, here is Jack in the grass. Snippet is being shy again. 

HAPPY MOSS AND THEN THERE WERE TWO

There are now two regular coal tit visitors. Unfortunately they are fierce rivals, are constantly seeing each other off and consequently can never be photographed together. It's lovely to have their numbers expanding; perhaps there will be three soon. 

Waiting its turn at the feeder

I've noticed the moss over the moor is looking particularly happy after all the rain; I'm glad something is. I've had to fence a section of Trigger's very small paddock off to see if it can recover for a few weeks. I'm sure any of you with horses will be having the same problems. Here are a few mossy and licheny (I'm getting a big wavy red line under that, not surprisingly!) pictures:

On the gate into our garden, this miniature garden has appeared....

Yellow Brain Fungus looking particularly bright yellow.....

And the first flower of the year....some very early flowering gorse, smelling strongly of coconut (or Hawaiian Tropic sun tan lotion....I wonder if they make it any more?). 

We have a very clever sparrow in the flock, who has learnt how to hang onto the peanut feeder. He's the only one who can do it so far. Others watch but don't follow. Perhaps they will in time. 

On our way back from a trip to Exeter to buy Origami boy yet more shoes yesterday, the cloud formation was very strange. I haven't been on an plane since 1998 but this is what I remember looking out at from the windows, which is a bit strange given we were on the ground.

And I'll leave you with a few gorsey Snippet pictures. I'm sure his coat has evolved in his three and a half years on the planet so as to allow him to access gorse without pain and cope with his first two incredibly snowy winters. Have as pleasant a Monday as possible!