Finally Water Falls from the Skies

It was very welcome, but it started when I was riding my bike home. It actually felt very nice, but the  occasional big drop down the small of my bike made me shudder and thus wobble rather alarmingly.

The smell of wet earth was very noticeable immediately. Apparently it's produced by bacteria in the soil, and we evolved to be super-sensitive to it in the far past, perhaps to help us find water.

Hopefully the local hedgehogs will be able to eat and drink well tonight. I've been good at putting water out, and certainly someone's been drinking it, but the local birds are the most likely substitutes.

I do hope, however, I get to play cricket at Newstead Abby tomorrow.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 27.07.18

Too Hot to do Much

I went shopping at  11am, and then immediately followed Met Office "Protect and Survive" style advice to stay indoors until 3pm.

Even though I hadn't heard it at the time. I was just dog tired and happy to lie and watch the sci fi movie "Dune" semi conscious.

I did get out at 3pm for a walk to the park - which is now entirely the colour of straw - and along the river, checking the buddleia I found along the way for butterflies.

The days where every such plant would have about 30 peacocks on them are gone. I've seen about 2 all summer. Plenty of whites fluttering about, but there's not so many of the "colourful" species.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 23.07.18