I had planned to spend the day in the garden today, I was looking forward to it... I'd just got the guinea pigs down from the shed to put in their new outdoor hutch and then I smelt smoke, next thing I knew both the front and back garden were full of smoke. My neighbour had decided to light a fire and it was blowing straight over into my garden. Needless to say after a very noisy week where it was not pleasant to work in the garden because of the noise, it was impossible today because of the smoke. I had to make sure all the windows and doors were shut. I was so upset, there was nothing else I could do but go out, so I packed a lunch bag and headed out.
This time I went to the beach at Brighstone.
It is a lovely long sandy beach.
I walked several miles along it and saw hardly anyone, it was bliss.
No smoke here thank goodness!
Holiday cottages on the cliff...
...falling down.
Sat on the beach for a while.
A cave.
Unfortunately due to the instability of the land around here, I didn't dare go in to explore it.
I could hear this bird of prey calling.
Collecting seaweed?
Rock pools.
Cliffs of colour.
A dead dogfish?
Looks so sad.
Paddling
Swimming
I then went into Brighstone and had my lunch and then a walk around.
A red beetle flew down and landed on the path during my walk.
It was just after 2 pm and I was getting tired so headed home.
Unfortunately it was STILL smokey so I couldn't sit outside and still couldn't open my windows. It was so hot inside the house.
How can people be so inconsiderate?!
I put some music on, had a cry, had a cider, and then felt a bit better.
My finds on my walk today.
Some interesting stones
This almost looks like it has wood grain through it. Very heavy.
When I was out a walking
I saw a little mouse in a tree
What a funny place for it to be.
The little mouse called out
from its branch where it sat
'Who me?'
'Yes you if you please', the little mouse said
'Take me home to treasure, I like adventures you see'.
So of course the Little Mouse came home with me.
The water lilies are looking lovely. Four today.
When I went up to water my garden this evening (around 7pm) it was still smokey and I my eyes are now sore. I hope it has dissipated by tomorrow.
I'm finding the garden a bit depressing at the moment. The weeds are growing, which is natural and I do expect that... but with my being unable to do much in there for several weeks, and then this week not being able to because of the noise, and today the smoke, I am starting to dread going into it.
It is made even worse when my Kale is being completely stripped. It is one of my favourite green vegetables and I was looking forward to growing and eating it this year. It was doing so well and I had had several leaves, and now there are virtually none left! I've got no idea what is doing the damage, I can't find any caterpillars on it.
My Little Free Library is proving popular with books coming and going which is good to see.
Well hopefully I can have a smoke free peaceful day at home tomorrow, otherwise I think I will completely lose the plot!
How annoying about the Kale being stripped like that. I hope you can get hold of some more young Kale plants to put in their place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely walk but annoying that you were driven out because of inconsiderate neighbours. We have a farm next door to us, but are used to the day to day farm routines - they were banging a pole in yesterday, but only for half an hour or so. Love your stone collection, especially the heart-shaped one and the flinty geode.
Was the plant a Broomrape which you showed two photos of?
Very annoying about the Kale. Basically my broccoli, cauliflowers, brussels and now kale have been completely annihilated. I grew all from seed and don't have any seed left. So frustrating. When I first saw the other plants had been eaten overnight I put some slug bait down, even though I don't like using it, but I don't think it is slugs. I am guessing it is some kind of caterpillar, but haven't found any on any of the plants.
ReplyDeleteLiving next to a farm you expect the odd farm noise, (I grew up in the country) that is okay...it is when someone seems to make noise for the sake of it and it is incessant... or lights bonfires in the morning, which of course means the smoke lingers all day.
I'm not sure what the plant was, which was partly why I took the photo, but haven't got round to looking it up.
Your beach walk sounds good, even if it wasn't in your original plans. I think sometime very soon I am going to have to drive to the beach as I am missing it so much. Such a shame (and so annoying) to have your brassicas decimated like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that smoke-filled air was not something you wanted to breathe in. Good that you went away and had a lovely walk. Such interesting rocks you picked up!
ReplyDeleteThe tall flowers in two photos are Acanthus also known as Bear's britches
ReplyDeleteYou took us on a wonderful stroll with you, it was a delight. Such a shame about the inconsideration of your neighbour, lets hope things improve. Love your finds.
ReplyDelete