To get away from ‘makeover madness’ for a while we skived off for the day – bored with talking about paint colours, furniture deliveries and where to put what – a day out in the peace and tranquility of Rutland Water Bird Reserve sounded just the ticket. Unfortunately there weren’t many birds to be found, or they were too far away to see – so we had to make do with walks through woodland and by the large stretches of water, and watching the butterflies and bees enjoying the wild flowers. After a couple of hours we retreated to The Finch a pub nearby serving delicious meals in lovely surroundings – Tiger Prawns in Chilli Sauce and Sea Trout with Asparagus – a fine end to a sneaky day off.
Trying to make the most of summer days before autumn sets in and being outdoors in the warmth becomes a distant memory – I savour each precious moment. Seeing the fruits get riper by the day, apples and damsons and soon blackberries to be gathered as autumn approaches and the daylight hours get shorter – has a year ever flown by as fast as this one?
Trying to keep pace with the bountiful harvests and how to use up all the runner beans from just six plants – so prolific. Stewing and freezing tomatoes to be made into sauces later in the year – cucumber and onion pickle to be made, lovely with cheese – courgettes frozen in chunks to be turned into soup when it gets colder – the freezer almost full to bursting point already. So much to be done indoors laying down preserves, which generations of men and women have done before me – at this time of year it is the way of things.
And when the cupboards are full of jams, jellies, pickles and chutneys I can relax a little and turn to other pursuits which have been patiently waiting since last winter. Paint brushes cleaned, ready and waiting in the hope of painting a masterpiece (I can but dream) - knitting needles retrieved from the depths of my work bag, a new needle point cushion and coloured wools in readiness and lists of books to be purchased for those winter afternoons reading by the fire – maybe winter doesn’t sound so bad after all.
‘Til next time – savour every moment of summer whilst it lasts – it will be over before you know it.
Beautiful images Elaine, and who can blame you for taking a day off :)
ReplyDeleteLunch sounds perfect, I love fish(must be the Pisces in me)
This year has gone so quickly.............I dream of summer plantings in bloom, the anticipation almost to much to take. Then in the blink of an eye it is over.
You seem to be well prepared for Winter.......lots of things to do.
I used to paint as a teenager...........flowers mainly. Also took up calligraphy for a while, used to write the certificates for the TAVR.
Have a lovely weekend................or is it back to work :)
Thanks Cheryl. It was good to get away from the chaos for a while. The weather has turned imperceptibly cooler, especially in the mornings so I have been getting up and out first thing to get the garden chores done. I am sure there will be more lovely days to come but the garden is gradually drifting towards autumn, a lot of plants just couldn't seem to adapt to the heat and dryness that we have had and trying to keep everything going has been a struggle.
DeleteHopefully this weekend will see everything in the house back in its place - thank goodness. I do hate the rooms being turned upsidedown with clutter.
Pretty sick of makeover madness over here too. I would love to have gone on that walk with you. Beautiful, beautiful photos by the way. And you've got me very curious about your painting - the artistic type I mean :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Isabelle - it made a nice change to walk somewhere different. I wanted the photos to reflect the heat of the day. As for painting - well, it's a bit hit and miss depending on what mood I am in but it is something I enjoy doing just for pleasure.
DeleteDearest Elaine - I so enjoyed my visit and hike through Rutland Reserve. This certainly looks like a beautiful place to go and get away from it all. From your pictures and your words I see you too are busy with all the things that are keeping me that way too. My wild berries are pretty much done. Gathering early apples for sauce now. Thanks for sharing a piece of your lovely world. Take care and have a great week-end.
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie - my next job will be blackberry gathering - I know a few choice bushes around the village and will have to make sure I get to them first before anyone else spots them.
DeleteElaine, I love the hazy golden shots, they perfectly reflect this wonderful relaxed time of year. The birds are most likely too hot, lol..al we have here are the noisy crows right outside of my window.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words, they are wonderful, and I am going through the comments one by one, they have helped immensely..
Jen
Thanks Jen.
DeleteIt has been a good summer for us this year so far but apparently we are expecting the end of Hurricane Bertha passing through the UK tomorrow - hang on to your hat it's going to be wet and windy!!!
So glad everyone's comments have helped you through this difficult time.
Lovely photos of you day off around Rutland Water and also of the produce in your garden. Your description of your preparations for the coming season are wonderful but let's hope there are a few more days left of summer yet - it has gone by so quickly and as always I don't feel as if I have appreciated it enough:)
ReplyDeleteI agree Rosie - I want it to last a while longer, I'm not really ready mentally for a closing down of the summer season yet.
DeleteIt has been such a fine Summer i think we are all getting a bit nervous as it creeps towards Autumn, but it must. I think you are getting well prepared for the changes and all that the different seasons bring.
ReplyDeleteJean x
You sort of get used to it being nice and warm - so different from our normal summers - I could get used to it on a permanent basis I think!
DeleteVery arty. Birds tend to have the same idea when we go to reserves too - we actually see more in the garden.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on what time of year it is don't you. I think we see more around October time when birds come in in readiness for the winter.
DeleteIt must have been a lovely day off to the Rutland Water (bird) Reserve, without many birds, but a nice lunch. Your pictures are this time really artistic, as if you have been painting. So nice to prepare for winter with preserving all the fruits and vegetables, but hopefully we still get a lot of lovely summerdays.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't matter too much that there weren't many birds about - it is still a nice place to visit. I am hopeful of a few more weeks of summer weather too.
DeleteElaine, I savored each photo, that's for sure. I agree that summer seems to be going by way too fast. I'm glad that you took a day off to enjoy the landscape.
ReplyDeleteI think we all need a break away from all the chores - even if it is only a day here and there - it makes all the difference. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
DeleteYou read my mind....I have never experienced a faster moving summer than this one!!! I feel as though we just got out of winter and now I am hearing and seeing pumpkin candies at the store...I can not wrap my head around it!!! What a beautiful outing friend! I so enjoyed your stunning photos and briefly getting away through your post!!! What a good attitude you have about savoring every last bit of summer! Happy weekend to you!!! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteAs each month ends - I think - where did that month go! The garden is slowly changing as if it is preparing for autumn - and because it has been so dry leaves are falling from the trees already.
DeleteVery busy bottling here too. My Bramleys have started falling, and the plum tree is groaning with fruit. We now have 2 freezers, but they are both already filled.
ReplyDeleteI have had quite a few Bramleys falling this week too - I feel apple sauce coming on. Where would we be without our freezers.
DeleteMmmm. I'm loving your header images. So soothing, summery, and serene. Glad you enjoyed a quiet walk.
ReplyDeleteThanks kind of you to say so.
DeleteThis year has gone hurtling past. I am clinging on to summer until the last. But you could almost have me looking forward to winter as well. Almost.
ReplyDeleteThere are still so many jobs I want to do whilst the good weather lasts - long may it continue.
DeleteWe do wonder where summer went. We have had a very busy one with odd weather. Cooler than normal and rainier. The veggie garden is a wreck this year. For some reason our hearts and energies were other places. Sounds like you are well prepared for winter.
ReplyDeleteI can understand you not being able to devote so much time to your garden you have had a very busy time of it lately. There is always next year when things may not be quite as hectic.
DeleteA nice post and lovely photos. Despite the lack of birds it looks, and sounds, like you had a good day. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteWe did Flighty - thank you.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post....now what have you done to those photos, they look so gorgeous and dreamy, do tell!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of all that pickling and jam making......it must be a treat in the winter...I hope the summer drags on as long as possible, I just love the long light nights, you can get so much done. Good luck with the decorating, it will be so nice when it's all done.xxx
I just used a bit of soft focus editing. The decorating is done except for the door and I am starting to bring everything back into the room - it feels good to get everything organised - don't know how long it will last for though!
DeleteLovely pictures from Rutland Water - I haven't been there since I was about 14 and a Ranger Guide, I wonder if they still have them? I'm not ready for summer to end yet, it's been glorious hasn't it.
ReplyDeleteIt has probably changed quite a bit since you were last there - but it is a lovely spot. Yes the summer has been glorious - I have really enjoyed every bit of it this year.
DeleteOh that sounds like a fine day out Elaine. I catch a distant glimpse of Rutland Water from the train every time I go to see my mum. Hope that still we have some more late summer weather to enjoy before the season turns.
ReplyDeleteIt always surprises me as to how vast the area is - there are always plenty of visitors taking advantage of the things it offers - a lovely spot. I hope so too Anna - the thought of a long cold winter doesn't bear thinking about after this good summer.
DeleteThere is a sudden realisation that summer is on the wane and that certain plants aren't going to perform as I hoped and that what has will soon be over. But stuffing myself with blackberries and plums is some consolation. Dave
ReplyDeleteBlackberries already - I think I'd better check up on the local bushes - things do seem to be ripening early this year.
DeleteI can't remember a summer that has sped by as quickly as this one seems to have. It's good to take some time and savour these precious summer days. I am sure your store of jams and jellies and your freezer filled to the brim with stewed tomatoes for sauces be well worth all the effort and work come fall and winter.
ReplyDeleteIt does make you wonder where the time goes doesn't it. I automatically start preserving at this time of year I can't bear waste and when you go to all that effort growing stuff - well it seems wrong not to make the most of it.
DeleteYour photos look really different and interesting; looks like a lovely area to walk around and enjoy.
ReplyDelete