03/06/2018 Trying to catch up

Maximum temperature today 24C, minimum 15C.    Rainfall 15 mm measured since my last post; 3 km/h South Easterly winds with up to 27 km/h gusts.

Total rainfall since 1st January; 572 mm and still raining!

There have been a lot of storms around and we have not had our computers and WiFi connected, therefore I  am even further behind with my blogs now.  Here are the last few photos taken from my walk the other day.

Wild Strawberries.  Very small but tasty.

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

A secret lane through the forest  😉

Wheat as far as the eye can see.

Day Lilies.

Damselfly - a first for me. Beautiful demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo) male.

As above.

A member of the bellflower family I think!

Bindweed.

Grapes.

Shaun the sheep 😊 Well the lamb wasn't but all the females are shorn.

Unknown.

Possibly a Black Kite but it was far away (Milvus migrans)

N.B. My bird blog is updated  HERE 

Part 10 of the birds I saw last year in Africa.

03/06/2017 Think today's rain may have caused a problems with the cherries and rotting but we shall see. Photos before the rain started.

Maximum temperature 21C, minimum 11C.  17 km/h NE wind with 28 kmh gusts.  Rain most of the day, not measured yet, a few photos before it really started.

Rarely do I ever see Barn Swallows on the ground so this was a a special few photos for me...

As above..

as above.

Linden Tree. the leaves and flowers can be dried and used as a tea.  I have tried as I quite like it, but the flowers are full of tiny black insects that are impossible to wash out, and only shake out if I actually dry the flowers. Too much hassle!

Granny Smith

Mirabelle plums - we have 7 trees all full of fruit!  Thankfully not ready yet, so I have time to relax before sorting out the plums after the cherries

The quinces will only be ready around October, at this stage the tree is laden so we hope there are no hail storms looming in the future months.

Daisy and bug.

Young courgette plant looking healthy.

Apple an quince crumble made from fruit canned two years ago!.  We need to use up all the old 'stuff''!!

29/04/2017 A trip trip to the local market this morning and a few photos in the garden.

Maximum temperature 18C, minimum 1C. 14 kmh SE wind. Cloud and sun. Dry.

Our local Saturday morning market....

Fresh oysters on the right where I was heading.

Just out of town they are building a new factory, I hope it does not look too out of place...

Factory and storage for palettes.

Bee and look at that pollen sac...

as above on the Red robin.

Bumble bee on the sage.

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Robber fly on the Red robin.

Common lizard trying to catch a bit of sun.

The peonies are opening.

Just for the record - the top patch is now covered with turf from the new veggie garden so we (Nigel!)can get to work on the garden,

07/08/2016 Walking around a windy garden though the wind speed does not reflect this!.

Maximum temperature 30C, minimum 12C.  19 km/h SE wind.

Bee.

Californian poppies still doing well.

Climbing rose

Gatekeeper Butterfly.

As above.

Hibiscus - spot the bee!

Pumpkins - different varieties.

Scarce Swallowtail.

As above.

Small White Butterfly.

One little dickybird..... Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica.

27/04/2016 Out for a walk around the local farming area.

Maximum temperature 13C, minimum 0C.  29 km/h NE wind. Dry.

All photos taken with the little Samsung L201

This must be a very special tree to be allowed to stay standing in a large ploughed field.

Wheat.

Sheep

Barn Swallows (I think)

The local château.

Dam with a couple of horses on the far side.

Walking through the woods.

Possibly a frog hopper - not totally convinced! 

Think this is a pearl-bordered fritillary, but if anyone can confirm I will be grateful.  Wish I had been carrying the Nikon!

A herd of calves.

Man at work.

Lupins, such a pretty crop.