You Left me Walking in the Rain

So, after the great heat and humidity of yesterday, today has been a day of heavy  rain.

Of course, this wasn't going to stop me from going out, of  course not. I just put on my waterproof cycling jacket, and headed off for a walk. It was rather cool and refreshing while the rain wasn't too bad, but it did get heavier and it made me feel rather stupid for forgetting to change into my walking trousers - I hate wet jeans.

Bad weather or not, dogs have to be walked, and there were various specimens leading their sodden owners along the Sconce Park trails. One very wet looking collie was having a tremdously exciting game of frisbee, so up for it the dog was, ears as upright as you could get.

Me after an hour trotting about, I was ready for a cup of tea, and I had one at Rumbles while Radio 4 made me thirsty talking about cider making.

I've had many worse days.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 14.10.18

Running Like a Mime Artist

The weather today and yesterday has been very very strange for any time of the year, let alone October. Temperatures have been in the  mid-twenties yet there have been hot 50 mile an hour winds blasting through the trees and ruining the composure of Ewalina's larger pot plants.

Despite Storm Callum having a good time out there, I decided it was still too nice to not go for a run so I picked a route that  would enable me to have a tailwind on the run back home.

Of course this meant I would have to run into the wind for the first half, and this resulted in some fairly comical struggles, with teenage girls openly laughing at me as I ran past making running style shapes, but actually travelling at less than walking pace.

I've no doubt I looked like Marcel Marceau doing a particularly bad "walking in the wind" mime routine, feeling like I had to almost swim strokes through the air to get anywhere.

It did get better, when I turned out of the headwind under wide open skies, but I was already totally knackered and came home very slowly indeed.

I cared not. It was 8km outside.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 13.10.18

The Golden Hour

If last night's sunset was stunning, tonight's actually managed to surpass it.

Between 5pm and 6pm was indeed a golden hour; the light was incredible and gilded everything in the most wonderful way. Even my awful face. Probably.

Still lots of pennyroyal growing out on the grasslands; new growth is coming through. This morning the buzzards were circling low overhead looking for thermals, white underwing patches easily visible. The myxomatosis outbreak is over; no more bunny carrion for them.

Now the night is with us, I'm just back from a run, 5km in 27.07 and I'm boiling hot.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 10.10.18

Sugar Factory Sunset

So it has been my, gulp, 46th Birthday today, although I don't remotely feel that old either physically or mentally.

It's actually been a pleasant day at work, with kind gifts of rum, cake and chocolate, muchly appreciated too. I didn't even stuff myself too much, and most folk near my desk had a slice of chocolate caterpillar. Or "human centipede" as I referred to it.

If you don't get that reference, don't look it up.

The sugar factory, the town's Gotham City type most prominent landmark, is back on campaign, and the unmistakable earthy smell pervades the town again when autumnal winds blow from the north-west. When I'm out running or cycling in the countryside, the roads will be lined with the lumpy brown things, as Blackadder described the potato way back when.

I always find it odd that these most gnarly of roots end up keeping my cups of tea sweet.

The factory looked stunning, against the stunning sunset.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 09.10.18

Colours and Pollinators

So, a slightly livelier day for me today, with a decent walk to and around the park this morning, and a 6km run around the two lakes in the afternoon.

The sun was  out, but it was chilly! But finding a nice place to sit a Rumbles always helps; it does act as a bit  of a suntrap under a decent sun, I've quite happily sat out there in zero temperatures before. That's zero celsius by the way, not absolute zero. That would be stupid.

On my way back from there to buy a new exciting first for my home - a spray on olive oil spray thing - I came across a lovely white tailed bumblebee caught by one leg in a single strand of  spiders web.

I made a bit of a clumsy job  of freeing it, but that's what I did. Sorry spider.

Ivy is in full flower at the moment, much enjoyed by wasps who weren't keen on being photographed. However, a honeybee was are amenable.

The light then in the afternoon was lovely, and there was a friendly cat!

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 07.10.18

The Fruit Tree at the Library

I'm very tired again today after three days of running and other exercises, and rain meant it was a bit of a quiet day today.

I visited the library, took some books back, read a bit as I love to do, and went shopping. That was it. I liked the vivid yellow tree in the library gardens, a tree that has fruit on it too, like a quince or a crab apple.

I love the library gardens, this time of year there are about a  thousand different shades of green on view. As well as a load of fast food wrappers. But no folk with substance issues today.

Tomorrow I will be back out on the road, running in hopefully dry conditions, seeing if my holly tree gets any visitors, wondering if any redwing or fieldfare are about, seeing if there are more sparrowhawks flap flap gliding over.

So much to see I guess and you don't have to look very hard.

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 06.10.18

A Running Guest

Came across this little character about 2km into my run tonight, 6km of fairly easy paced trotting on a mild evening, heavy cloud obscuring the moon, which is just as well as it hasn't risen yet, thinking about it.

I don't know if it is underweight or not, but it was certainly moving OK!

I've had a flu jab and thus have a sore arm, and a slightly off nose and throat. Didn't seem to affect my running as much as the fact as I'm rather bloated at the moment for some reason.

Need a winter jacket, the Decathlon website is calling...

Si

All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 03.10.18