Day 120

Saturday 18 July

One of those days when I can post throughout the day…

9.30am We’ve made a conscious effort this year to encourage more insects into our garden. I used to take the approach that, because we live in a rural location, we didn’t need to be so aware. Our little patch was insignificant compared to even one hedgerow down our lane. But I have realised that that isn’t the way.

Our house is rural but also agricultural. There isn’t the wild areas or even fringes of fields that have been left for wildflowers, grass and such. So, our garden, with it’s intense concentration of pollen producing plants, is a real hot spot for bees, butterflies and other flying insects.

11.40am Doing less with the lawn has also been an interesting experiment. We have islands of long grass at the bottom of the garden. The clover, red champion, daisies and dandelions have all flourished. This has meant the bees and butterflies have too. Red tail bumble bees have loved the clover and the low mallow. Buff tailed bumble bees really love the tall hollyhocks. I had never noticed the behaviour of bees before. It’s fascinating and the garden, on a still and warm day like today, is literally buzzing.

Today is going to be a day of ‘casual-doing’ in the back garden. Some weeds need burning, a birdbath needs to be made and a new pump is arriving for the septic tank. Tomatoes need staking and the rose needs training. It’s an -ing day.

3.30pm Whilst mooching about outside in the mid-morning quiet, I had to keep brushing my face which was being tickled by something. I thought, at first, that it was small flies but it turned out to be tiny seeds falling from the Silver Birch tree. Once I was tuned in to what it was, I could then hear the seeds pitter-pattering on to the leaves of the lilac.

9.45pm Sat outside under the lights in the back garden. It’s been a beautiful day. Laods if satisfying chores completed and eating supper outdoors. A drive to collect Adora from her friends house. The sunset was amazing when I took Mabel for a brief walk late on.

There’s a party going on across the fields. The farmworkers are celebrating and the music is jubilant and has a very Eastern European flavour. There are spontaneous cheers and whistles. It’s a fabulous sound, and with the warm evening temperature, it feels a little like being on holiday.

One of those beautiful, sunny, warm, lovely Saturdays.