Through the woods and across the fields

Another lovely autumn day to be taken full advantage of.  We know that all too soon it will be cold, wet and grey so we get out whenever we can.  The warmth of the sun today was wonderful.

Checking us out as we crossed their field

We paid a visit to the pigs; they came running over to see us, squealing and grunting

As we walked along the track through the woods, we came across a fresh molehill, and as we looked, to our amazement, it moved - a little mound of earth was pushed to the surface.  The making of a molehill as we watched!  It was quite extraordinary and kept us glued to the spot for several minutes in the hope (ultimately unfulfilled) of actually seeing the little mole doing all the hard work underground.  

Granted, the photos do look a bit unremarkable, but neither of us had ever seen a molehill being built before, and we were quite mesmerised by it.  Nature is full of surprises, if you take the time to look.

Autumn mists and classic cars

Misty morning

Autumn is definitely under way here.  Temperatures have fallen off in the morning and evening (and during the day, according to N!), and some parts of the garden no longer get the sunlight at all.  I often open the curtains to find a mist hanging about and the grass stays damp with dew most of the morning.  

The last of the peppers being prepped
 for the freezer

Homemade tomato soup served with homemade bread - delicious!

We're doing our best to spend some time in the garden every day, rain permitting, and it's surprising how much can be achieved in just an hour or so.  The sweetcorn, beans and some of the tomato and pepper plants have been pulled, the beds weeded and dug over.  Considering that this time last year we barely had a garden to speak of, we are very happy with how productive our little plot has been this year.  The beds that are being rested over winter will have a covering of manure to replenish nutrients, to prepare them for  the next growing season.

More time is being spent with indoor pastimes and hobbies - crafting comes to the fore in the colder months.  I seem to have more sewing-related projects on the go (or in the pipeline) than I can sensibly manage; I always like to have plenty to do but it's all got a little out-of-hand recently.  That may, of course, have something to do with a certain tiny person who has crept into my life :))  

A trailer just big enough to sleep two!

Over the weekend, we managed to get out for a walk along the front.  It was the annual classic car rally, and there was a magnificent array of cars parked all along the esplanade.  We were duly impressed; much gleaming chrome and polished paintwork, and trips down memory lane.   There were so many people there, admiring the wonderfully restored old vehicles and chatting to their owners.  Another very enjoyable day out.

A walk (in the sun) down memory lane

September is spoiling us with glorious sunshine, it's been just beautiful this week.  We're doing our best to take every opportunity to get out and about and enjoy these end of summer/early autumn days.  

Another walk earlier this week, something of a nostalgic wander along half-forgotten pathways I used to know as a small child in the company of my very special Auntie S.  Happy memories came flooding back, and I recalled ice-cream blocks in wafers, and paddling in the island-shaped pool.  It was such a delightful walk, and so peaceful in the woods.  We spotted two red squirrels in the trees (always a treat), and spent what seemed like hours just looking out to sea.  In the midst of so much rushing around and general busy-ness, it was such a pleasure to be able to just sit and be still.

The good weather means we can continue the garden tidy-up in sunshine, a real bonus.  Gradually the summer crops are coming to an end - the runner beans are finished and the fine green beans are not too far behind.  N's called it a day with the squash plants, sadly they never really got going and the very few fruits that formed have failed to thrive and survive.   We had the last of the lettuce leaves yesterday - we haven't bought salad leaves at all this year, so that's been very successful.  A few days of sunshine and warmth has been very beneficial to the tomatoes and peppers, and every day a few more fruit are turning red.  More tomato sauce for the freezer.  The courgettes are almost at an end, I think there are 3 left to crop, and the sweet corn is coming along well.  We're looking forward to sampling those in the not too-distant future :)  And on a walk into town we spotted damsons for sale in someone's garden, so we bought a couple of bags to make jam.  I remembered to count the number of fruits that went into the preserving pan (124), so I could make sure I retrieved the same number of stones before bottling - it makes for a bit of fun.  Sadly we could only find 123 stones.  Oh well ...

Getting out and about

It's been a lovely early autumn day today - sunshine and blue skies - so we packed a picnic and drove a few miles to the other side of the island and had ourselves a delightful riverside walk.  We certainly weren't alone, either.  There were lots of people out and about making the most of the weather; walkers like ourselves, but also many cyclists taking part in the cycling weekend being staged on the island.  We did manage to have one or two moments of complete peace and quiet, but it was good to see so many people, all different ages, just enjoying a really great Sunday afternoon outdoors.  Signs of autumn were all around us - acorns, sloes, hips and haws, and blackberries.  We walked about 5 miles, a nice and easy stroll, and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

We had a lovely get-together with old friends/colleagues a couple of days ago and it was just so good to see so many familiar faces, and a chance to catch up on everyone's news.  There was a lot to talk about, which meant a very late night (for us, at least!) but it was such a good evening.

We went to watch the illuminated carnival last night, and it was a good turn-out to support the parade.  There's something a little magical about a night-time carnival; it was colourful, loud (!) and lively, which seems like a recipe for success.

The kitchen has seen a flurry of activity over the weekend; we've processed  tomatoes into pasta sauce for the freezer, stewed apples (a very welcome gift), and made bread and cakes.  I've managed to get the lap quilts washed and dried on the line so they'll be clean and fresh to wrap ourselves in when the evenings get cooler, although we are noticing that autumnal nip in the air already.  Everyone is commenting on the change in temperature and it makes us determined to make the most of good days when they come along.  We are making plans to keep busy and productive in the winter months with various projects but hopefully autumn will provide us with plenty of days to get out and about.

Farewell, wet August

I suppose it was only to be expected that August should sign off with yet more rain; it has been grey and gloomy (and wet) here for most of the day.  I've got a bit fixated with the weather lately . . .

Thankfully the rain held off yesterday for the scooter ride-out, always a colourful spectacle to watch.  There were some eye-catching outfits - black and white dresses seemed popular with several ladies, and some very dapper suits for the men - and a great deal of gleaming chrome.  The rally brings a lot of business to the town and always seems to be a thoroughly good-natured and enjoyable few days.

It clearly wasn't gardening weather today but we have found plenty of other things to do.  The nothing like a wet bank holiday for sorting out hardware!!  Never one to throw away odd screws, nails and hooks, N had accumulated jars and pots full of them, squirrelled away in various cupboards and sheds (as you do).  We clearly won't need to buy any more for several years!  And I found myself cleaning the patio doors and conservatory windows, transferring photos from the old laptop to the portable hard-drive, and sorting and filing paperwork.  All those things were on my list of winter jobs, lol!  

We've pottered our way through August, a lot of work in the garden, tending and cropping vegetables, and a start on some house maintenance.  Lots of discussions, ideas and plans for the future.  A wedding, seeing family and friends, and sewing, knitting and general craftiness.  And September?  Well, September will be a very good month ;))

In the skies overhead

Sometimes, it seems that we've had a quiet few days, not doing anything special, just this and that around home.  Yet when I come to look back over the week, it's surprising what we've actually done.

From Culver Down we could see St Helens Fort (on the extreme right) ; strange to think we walked to it a couple
of weeks ago

This week has seen events around the country commemorating the 75th anniversary of 'The Hardest Day', a major air battle in the Battle of Britain.  On Tuesday, 18 Spitfires, in three flights of six, took to the skies over southern England.  One of the flight paths included the Island, albeit briefly, and we joined several hundred people on Culver Down to watch.  Telephoto lenses were required, although N did get a photo from a distance, but perhaps it was more a time to reflect on the past.  

Then today, quite out of the blue (no pun intended), a rumble of aircraft engine had us peering into the skies above our house, and we caught sight of the very distinctive delta wings of an RAF Vulcan, and watched with awe as it passed right over our garden.  Another great photo opportunity.  The Vulcan, was apparently participating in a number of events today as part of it's final flying season before it is retired, and we just happened to be on the flight path, again. A pretty incredible sight.

A hint of red ....

.... and now in full technicolour!

The weather has been decidedly un-summery, and I even found myself reaching for a fleece earlier in the week.  In August!  However, in between the rain, we've been fitting in some maintenance jobs inside and out, all of which are on the grand list of things that need to be done this year.  Why we had been putting off doing them I don't know, because as is so often the case, they didn't take any where near as long to do as we thought.  There's been some general tidying up in the garden, too.  The salad crops continue to pay for themselves many times over, and this week we have been delighted to spot our first red pepper - previous years have only ever resulted in green ones which have refused to turn red, so this is a real achievement.  We are hoping it's the first of many.

The train at platform 2 ...

After a rather hectic few days we are back home again.  Two days of travelling and a day celebrating a wedding, catching up with family and dodging the rain!  

We travelled by train, as we usually do if we go 'up north'.  Railway stations, particularly the old, original ones, have a real fascination for me; there is so much social history attached to them, not to mention the fantastic architecture. As there was bit of waiting around for connections, I snapped a few shots that interested me.  I shall have to find a reason to visit Preston again - the station is just magnificent and worthy of a proper look-around.

So many local railway stations are no longer in use or have been completely abandoned after they were closed.  I can still (just about) remember steam trains on the Island lines but of course have no photographic record of them myself, although thankfully there are many excellent books recording the steam days; wonderfully reminiscent.  I think perhaps I might try to get out and about this winter to record what is still left, both stations still in use and those that nature is reclaiming.  And I have another photographic project lined up for the quieter months ('quiet' - haha!), an idea I've been thinking about for some time.      And it will provide me with an opportunity to hopefully improve my photography skills beyond the 'point and click' level that I am at currently

Sailing

This week sees the annual sailing regatta at Cowes.  It's usually held the first week in August but it's later this year because of exceptionally low tides (which we can vouch for, having been able to walk to the fort last week!).  The change of dates caught us out and we were anticipating having visitors with us but owing to the mix-up (I should have checked but just took it for granted, silly me) not only has our intended guest had to cancel, but we won't be here for the traditional trip to the fireworks on Friday.  Bigs sighs all round, and next year I must check the dates beforehand.  Lesson learned.

Anyhow, we had a potter out to Cowes on Sunday, taking advantage of a promising weather forecast.  Blue skies and a good breeze made ideal sailing conditions, and we watched several classes start, counting down the race for the line with the guns outside the Royal Yacht Squadron.  It's always a great sight as the yachts jostle for position, trying to cross the line between the markers buoys just as the gun is fired, but being very careful not to 'jump the gun' and end up being penalised by having to turn and cross the line again.

Cowes Week has been an annual outing for so, so many years - indeed, I have a photo of me aged about 7, standing by the guns with my fingers in my ears.  There are also many memories of the fireworks at the end of the week; you have to be in position good and early if you want a good view.  Flasks and sausage rolls were the order of the day.  And a groundsheet to sit on if it was fine, and to shelter under if it rained, and I can well remember a number of occasions when it poured and we got drenched but the fireworks still went off.  More recently we have had some quite grand picnics with bucks fizz which was quite good fun ;)

The tide is out . . . .

There were odd goings-on in the Solent off Bembridge on Monday evening.  An exceptionally low tide meant it was possible to walk to St Helens Fort, about 3/4 of a mile off-shore, along a shingle spit which is exposed for an hour or so before the tide turns.  This has been on my 'to do' list for many years but somehow I've always missed it - it is one of those annual events that seems to just happen spontaneously without being officially organised.  However, this year we got a text from someone in the know, and, deciding that we would be spontaneous too, we packed our water shoes and headed off.

As the tide dropped, people gathered along the water's edge.  A few brave souls tested the depth and gradually the walkers began to set off into the sea.  It started with just a few but before long there were hundreds of people processing into the water, along a unseen (but obviously well-known) causeway.  Some people start from St Helens, others, us included, from across the harbour at Bembridge, and it wasn't long before the two groups met up and continued to the fort.  It was the most extraordinary sight.  

There was quite a bit of wading involved; I abandoned all hope of keeping my shorts dry and simply embraced the experience!  I was not the only lady of a certain age trying unsuccessfully to maintain some - any - decorum!  The receding tide eventually exposed the whole causeway all the way to the fort itself.  The tradition is that having reached the fort, you must climb the steps up to a narrow ledge that runs all around the structure, and complete a circumnavigation.  We did our best but had to give up near the end as it became a little congested with people taking selfies.  As we made our way back, there were still people on their way to the fort.  

All those people (there must have been two or three thousand) and there was something of a community outing about it.  No problems that I saw, everyone properly behaved and just a jolly, fun atmosphere - there were a couple of boats and the coastguard on stand-by, just in case anyone got into difficulties.  It was one of the more bizarre things we have done, but certainly great fun.  Definitely one to tick off the list.    

Oh, and the water wasn't as cold as I was expecting ;)

A few days in the forest

We've been back home a couple of days but I had a very pressing engagement with the sewing machine which took priority over blogging (actually, over almost everything).  However, that particular task has been completed (phew, great relief) and I can now download the holiday photos.

We had another lovely break in the New Forest, it really is such a beautiful area with so much to see and do.  The weather was kind to us - it was dry - so we spent all our time outside.  We had some good walks with lots to see and thoroughly enjoyed our day at the New Forest Show.  Goodness, it's big!  Just so much to see and do.  Despite my very good intentions of taking in the craft tents and other exhibitions, we spent most of the day watching the heavy horses, Pony Club games, the cattle, the chickens (oh so nearly bought a hen-house!) and a glorious display by the Household Cavalry.  We managed to pop into the horticultural tent - those were some mighty big vegetables on display! - and pick up a few ideas for the garden, and saw some beautiful examples of fine woodcraft, and N was very taken with the tractors - he wants one!  But there was lots we didn't see so we will just have to go back next year, and possibly the year after that, too.  An excellent day out.

The wildlife in the Forest is one of the attractions for us, and we were delighted to see deer, squirrels (grey, not red), and had a very close encounter indeed with a huge highland cow who simply appeared out of the bracken and ambled by just a few feet away from where we had sat down to eat our lunch.  It was the most bizarre experience, and one which still brings a big smile to our faces as we recollect it, although it was a slightly disconcerting interruption at the time ;-))  We spent ages watching buzzards high in the trees, having been alerted by their distinctive cries, and were entranced by some stunningly beautiful damsel flies by the river.  It never fails to amaze me what is there to be seen if you just stop and listen and watch.  

A few days away and our batteries have been recharged.  It was lovely to have the opportunity to slow down and regroup.  Just as well, really, as the next few weeks are quite busy with lots of comings and goings, things to remember and places to go.  And new people to meet :)))