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 ;)

Lessons from July

It seems to be all rush, rush, rush at the moment and I really want and need to just slow down a bit.  July became August without me realising, and this is the first chance, or so it seems, to take stock of things.  Reflecting back on each month has been quite a useful opportunity to see what is working (or not, as the case may be) and to try to learn from past experiences.  

Well, July certainly taught me a few things and I continue to reflect on the unexpected lessons I learned when I briefly returned to paid employment.  I realised just how much I enjoy the (unpaid) work I do at home, how it complements the work N does here, and what a good team we are together.  I missed not having time to do those things, and how it affected me.  I wasn't able to fully make my contribution to the simple lifestyle that has become such a pleasure for us, and I soon realised that earning money wasn't compensating for that feeling.  My priorities had got a bit mixed up.  Funny how financial temptation can do that.  

Consequently, many things that I had planned to do in July didn't get done and half my July list is now on the August list!  So amongst other things, I will make every attempt to paint the side gate (we have the paint so no excuse), I will make myself a dress (I have the pattern and the fabric so again, no excuse) and I have lots of 'little' things to make for a very special occasion that is coming up soon :D.  We also have a wedding to attend (an excuse for some dressing up!).  However, even though many things didn't get done last month, July saw the garden in full production, thanks to N's hard work.  So many vegetables coming into the kitchen daily, some to be eaten there and then, others to be frozen or pickled, or turned into sauces.  It has been so rewarding to see, quite literally, the fruits of our labours.  Not everything has been a resounding success and there have been lessons to be learned for the future but we love being able to eat our own produce fresh from the garden.  July also saw us finally take a trip to the New Forest Show, something we've been meaning to do for several years, and we had a great time.

So August is carrying on where July left off, with lots to do and quite a bit of to-ing and fro-ing.  And something else ticked off the bucket list . . . 

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 :)))

Across the water

After the downpour that was Friday, we had more wind and rain yesterday.  I think we have probably had enough now, thank you.  The weather put paid to several events organised over the weekend including the second day of racing in Portsmouth for the America's Cup tour series.  That was such a shame for all those fans and spectators who had tickets to watch the yachts race (DD included) but conditions were deemed too hazardous for sailing to go ahead.  Such is British summer weather - totally unpredictable.

We have fingers crossed that it does at least stay dry for the next few days as we are venturing across the water to go to the New Forest Show.  We're looking forward to seeing the livestock (chickens especially!), exploring the craft tents and watching the various demonstrations and exhibitions.  And we've packed the walking guides and boots in the hopes of a bit of exploration, too.  We so enjoyed our short stay way back in January when it was cold and frosty and although I don't think we shall be having a heatwave this week, it will be interesting to experience the Forest in the height of summer - there will be a few more people about, for one thing!

Today I have worked my way through a list of no less than 14 items.  It's the first time I've made a list for quite some time, or at least one which I properly paid attention to, and I had almost forgotten how it enables me to stay focussed on my tasks; I really do work better with a bit of structure to my days.  I don't forget things, I can plan what I need to do and there is such a good feeling when an item is crossed off on completion.  Most satisfying.

We have a busy few weeks ahead of us and while we are away I shall be making a note of things that need to be dealt with on our return.  Those three weeks of temporary work really upset my routines at home, and although some people prefer a less formal structure to their days, I know I work so much better if I have a bit of order around me.  That is what I shall be attempting to regain over the next week or two.  And I might manage to get some photos uploaded, too.

 

Returning, with much to think about

Almost two weeks since my previous post, and I'm not really sure why the reluctance to blog.  It's not through lack of things going on, that's for sure; indeed perhaps there has just been a little too much on my mind recently.  To tidy things up, I'll attempt a quick round-up.

I have alluded to some paid work over the past few weeks.  It wasn't planned or sought out, but when it was offered to me, I decided to try it out.  Although I knew there would be some compromises to be made at home, I had not anticipated some of the other issues that cropped up and I have learned some  valuable lessons as a result.  I had many hours to give serious consideration to some quite 'big' issues - choice, agency, social/economic prejudices - and the realisation that not everyone gets the same breaks in life.  The discussions I had in my head were wide-ranging and thorough, and found I had to challenge some mis-conceptions I hadn't realised I held (or perhaps unwilling to admit to).  Temporary contracts, minimum wage, uncertainty, limited options . . . yes, plenty to think about.  

My foray into employment didn't last long (my choice - and I realised that I was fortunate to have that choice) and I am now busy working back at home.  I had missed it.  N and I make a good team but we both need to be here to make our simple life work properly.  Having said that, N has managed to get lots of odd jobs done - the second coat of paint in the kitchen and hallway for a start, no mean feat.  And so much work in the garden, too.  I found that I was so tired when I got home each evening that even though there were many things to be done, it was a real effort to do even a bit.  The cleaning slipped, bread was bought rather than made, no sewing done at all.  It's taken a few days to get back into a rhythm again while I try to catch up on bits that were left but I'm more or less there now.  And it feels good.  I've finally been able to dive into a pressing sewing project (why do I always leave these things till the very last minute?) which is going far better than I thought it would (and I should have learned that lesson, too!)

I must make mention of the water situation.  The water butts were empty and we were diligently saving every drop of reusable kitchen water to keep the vegetables watered.  No rain for days.  Until yesterday, when it rained, not a light drizzle but a torrential downpour for the entire day.  Apparently we had as much rain in one day as we normally get for the whole month.  The storm drains  overflowed, there was huge run-off from the parched ground unable to soak the deluge up, and roads were flooded.  But the water butts are now full - hooray!

Flowers, birds . . . and a water slide

These pots of flowers sit on the steps outside the conservatory and provide a lovely splash of colour in the garden.  They're a mixed bunch - quite literally - being the odds and ends I found in the shed earlier this year; marigolds, cornflowers and mesembryanthemums.  The seeds took a long time to germinate, and some didn't germinate at all, and I think it was most likely because on closer examination of the seed packets I noticed that they were all a couple of years out of date.  Oh dear.  However, despite not being 'fresh' seeds, they are blooming away quite happily.  

We're noticing quite a few young birds (recently fledged and still learning) in the garden over the last few weeks, often accompanied by mum or dad to show them the ropes.  Blackbirds, goldfinches, robins and especially green woodpeckers, who frequently wake us up very early in the morning with their distinctive call.  

Yesterday, on our way into town, we spotted an entire family of no fewer than five woodpeckers feeding on the grassy bank.  We were so thrilled to see so many all together we just stood and watched.  All five little heads were nodding up and down as they pecked away, it was great.  My little camera managed the nearest bird but the others were just out of shot.

We finally got the promised rain, but it arrived as a very fine drizzle which hasn't filled the water butts at all and has barely dampened the ground.  It's been a little frustrating for us gardeners who would have preferred a good downpour for a couple of hours but we have to take what comes, weather-wise.  

Now here's something you don't see every day - a giant inflatable water slide running the length of one of the main shopping streets in town.  It was a charity event, people donating for the chance of sliding down the slide (in the rain!)  There didn't seem to be a shortage of sliders, some in fancy dress, and it was certainly different.  Just such a shame the weather was so inclement.  (much better photos on the link)

(First post on the Mac; bit of a learning curve but so much quicker)

From garden to plate (and freezer)

The promised rain turned out to be a bit of drizzle; not really enough to make a difference so we are stepping up the recycling of kitchen water to top up the water butts.  A good downpour would be very welcome for the garden.

The first peas . . . 

. . . and the first courgette

The beginnings of tonight's dinner

Basil leaves - a quick wash before freezing

While I'm currently otherwise occupied during the week, N has taken ownership of the camera to record the latest vegetables to be cropped.  This week has seen the first of the peas picked - and are they sweet! - together with the first courgette of the season.  We usually end up with a glut of these, but they are so useful in winter stews so we will be glad of them later in the year.  The basil has been cropped four times now, and fresh basil - indeed any fresh herb - added to a meal makes such a difference to the taste.  And we are continuing to enjoy salads from the garden - we now have tomatoes (again, the taste is so good), cucumber, beetroot, spring onions, potatoes, lettuce and salad leaves.

I am hoping the fine weather holds over the weekend as I want to start on the side gate and that seems like a do-able project.  And I have just remembered a sewing project that I agreed to do is now only a few weeks away . . . and I haven't even got the fabric yet!  Whoops, how did that happen?  I need to get my skates on with that as time is now most definitely of the essence.