28/10/2018 Winter has arrived Brrrrrrrrr.

Maximum temperature today 5C, minimum 3C.  Rain not measured as yet; 27km/h North-easterly winds with up to 58 km/h gusts.  

Photos were taken a couple of days back before the chill arrived!

European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola hibernans) a first for me. Male and female in the distance.

Thanks to my friend Noushka for helping me out with the ID. If you have not seen her blog I can assure you it is well worth a visit.

A somewhat washed out Common Blue I think (Polyommatus icarus) on the Cosmos.

Small copper (Polyommatus icarus).

Choisya ternata.

Calendula.

As above.

Cosmos...

and with a bee...

and another bug.

Rosebud.

Not a lot of signs of autumn the day I took these photos, but the ferns are certainly changing colour...

as are the brambles.

Rose hips.

Sweet chestnuts - we had some with our dinner last night.

Last nights sunset....

and looking behind.

There is a short update on my bird blog HERE

31/05/2018 Photos out walking

Maximum temperature today 19C, minimum 13C.    Rainfall 29 mm measured since my last post; 12 km/h South Westerly winds with up to 34 km/h gusts.

Total rainfall since 1st January; 557 mm and still raining!

I went for another walk today just before the heavens opened, but I have not had a chance to finish the photos from the last walk so here they are.  We both spent yesterday painting, I was working on the lounge walls and Nigel rubbing down and painting the front door.  Despite using English paint, (French is useless) it all looks like a second coat will be needed (sigh!).

Poppies (Papaver rhoeas)

As above

As above.

Fern.

Unknown, but I thought very pretty.

Also unknown, but unusual.

Gorse. (Fabaceae)

Foxglove, or it seems also called Lady's Glove. (Digitalis purpurea)

  

There were two fairly large birds sitting in this tree, once I got close enough to take a photo all I got a view of was the nest!!!  I will try again! 

There were two planes playing in the sky above me as I was walking, the other one was a bit higher and not a good photo.

Meanwhile back home this morning after the walk.

N.B. My bird blog is updated  HERE 

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

27/05/2018 Taking a walk down the road.

Maximum temperature today 25C, minimum 14C.    Rainfall 20 mm measured this morning; 

10 km/h South Westerly winds with up to 26 km/h gusts.

Total since 1st January; 528 mm and another storm expected this evening.

Still busy with the painting, things have slowed up a bit as it has been very cloudy and difficult to see properly as the house is quite dark.  The garden must be happy though with last nights rainfall 😊.

Buttercups; (Ranunculus) and poisonous to humans.

Calves...

with Mum.

Clover and fern.

Cow parsley; (Anthriscus sylvestris)

Daisies; possibly Oxeye...

Daisy with Trichodes alvearius....

Three for the price of one, not sure what they all are.

Daisy; possibly Ragwort.

Dog roses; (Rosa canina)

Elderberry flower. (Sambucas). The berries traditionally have been used to make elderberry wine, syrup, as well as pies and jellies,

I have put this old farm equipment on before but a long time ago...

as above...

As above.

Back home the first daylily this year and

a female blackbird; (Turdus merula).

N.B. My bird blog is updated  HERE 

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

06/07/2017 A walk and a drive but the drive I will add tomorrow. Too many photos!!

Maximum temperature 31C, minimum 16C. 12 km/h NW winds with 17 km/h gusts. A few drops of rain this morning that did not show in the rain gauge!

Crops as far as the eye can see.

Fern unfurling.

Buttercup.

Someone watching over me !

A shady lane.

White Admiral - (Limenitis camilla)...

Opening its wings, personally I think it is prettier with closed wings...

as above.

Speckled Wood - (Pararge aegeria)

Meadow Brown - (Maniola jurtina)

Oxythyrea funesta beetle.

Unknown wildflower.

Sorry Linda and David, it appears that the Canadian carpenters are not arriving this year, but the set up is a memorial it seems, see below pinned to one of the logs.

You might be interested in one of my old links HERE, a little more about the carvers.