Friday 26 June
What a very different morning? Cool, overcast but equally as pleasing as the bright, warm mornings of late. The distant backdrop sound is a shallow rumble of an electrically charged sky.
I heard the rain through the open bedroom window before droplets started to spot it. A subtle sound like someone rubbing a flat sheet of cardboard with an open hand. A really satisfying sound. Then, when the rain actually arrives, another fabulous sound, that of the water butts refilling themselves.
When the weather takes a change in direction my senses feel more alert. The sounds and smells in particular appear to offer more than normal. The aroma of rain drops cooling warm grass, shrubs and stone is unmistakable and the temporary sound of bird silence is also stark.
Then, after a short while, the birdsong returns. The rain glides away. Normal daytime conditions return. The air temperatures start to rise and those amazing smells subside. That special, albeit brief, sensory shake-up is history. So starts another warm and sunny June day.
After a sweltering day, we waited for the temperature to drop before taking Mabel for a walk. A cloud each of midges above our heads, following us along the lanes. We looked like Pigpen from Charlie Brown (I loved Charlie Brown, and Scooby-Doo). Rain is due tomorrow morning again and slightly cooler too. Phew.
It’s been a day of sounds and smells today but there were a couple of sights that brought that awe and wonder.
The Bald Birder 