Sunday 14 June 2015

Tales of the Riverbank ...


  
It was a hot and muggy afternoon - the distant village paled in the heat haze.

Rain threatened.

 
We walked the canal towpath as narrow boats chugged past and flag iris dipped their roots in the cool water.

Rain threatened.

 

 

 
Hedgerow and tree were reflected; a double image.

 
 
Ewes and lambs took their afternoon siesta in the shade of the waterside oaks - a pastoral scene worthy of any Old Master. We heard the squawking of a heron gracefully flying overhead as ducks and ducklings idly paddled downstream.

Rain threatened.


 


 




We saw the rolling hills and alien bracket fungus and trees growing at jaunty angles almost as if they were being drawn to the water.  Campion and buttercup lined the path with purple pea vetch flourishing.

The rain came.

  

 
A gentle rain that pitter-pattered on the water surface - a rain neither here nor there. It was not until the middle of the night that it began to rain with force.  Dramatic- with added thunder and lightning for greater effect.  Hitting the windows hard and with vengeance.


Morning came in shades of grey - the sky still heavy with cloud and water.  The garden flattened and rain-soaked.  Pure and unadulterated; rain that seeped through the soil way down to the roots.

 
The garden and I say thank you.

You were desperately needed.



 And just as an extra bonus photograph I thought I would share with you a delightful creature that we saw in the front garden pecking at some grass seed we had put down to cover a bare patch on the lawn.  A lovely red legged partridge - soaking wet, poor thing - but what a nice surprise.



And to complete the story - an amazing sunset.



Elaine

 

62 comments:

  1. What a delightful story Elaine. I love the red legged partridge, he looks so vulnerable.
    What is a little bit of grass seed between friends :)

    I wish we had the rain you had. Although it has been cold and dull for two months, there has been little rain during that time. The garden is so dry. It is miserable today, but no sign of rain.

    I love narrow boats.......takes me back to time spent on the river with my husband.....tranquil moments.
    Sweet memories........

    Glad the garden got a good soaking..............

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    1. Thanks Cheryl - nice to know you appreciate my storytelling. The partridge was a little cutie we watched him for ages - not sure where he appeared from, probably wandered in from the back field. And the rain was glorious - I swear everything has doubled in size overnight! We are surrounded by the Grand Union Canal here so there are plenty of canalside walks to be had. You can walk on them for miles - trouble is you always have to turn round and go back the way you came.

      Have a good week and keep your fingers crossed for a good downpour.

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  2. Hi Elaine,
    So glad that you got some rain. We have had spurts of it here and there.. very light rainfalls. We need more, but mother nature is teasing us.
    What a lovely walk along the narrow boat river. It looks so peaceful and lovely there.
    The male partridge was blown your way with the heavy rain. Poor fellow, he does look a little lost.
    You do live in a beautiful area ..
    wishing you a happy sunday.. val x

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    1. Hi Val,
      Yes, it was a good old downpour, and like I said, desperately needed - I won't have to use the hosepipe for a while. It is a beautiful and peaceful place - we always enjoy our walks there. The partridge was a rare sight - never before seen in the garden - he stayed for quite a while too. Enjoy your week - hope the back isn't giving you too much trouble.

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    1. That sort of rain is neither use nor ornament is it - thankfully our rain came down in stair rods and gave the garden a really good soaking.

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  4. Your photos are straight out of a storybook! That shot with the bridge is so magical! I would have such a time strolling through and taking this all in! And I am glad to hear that you received rain in your region! That partridge is an adorable little thing! Wishing you more of the same today Elaine...Nicole xoxo

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    1. Hi Nicole,
      Thank you - we both get a bit camera happy when we go on these walks and it is hard to decide who has taken the best photos - so in the end most of them go in to the post, but the story wouldn't be the same without them. Have yourself a enjoyable week my friend.

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  5. Terrible storm here last night, accompanied by deluge..... hot and sunny again today. Lovely photos.

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    1. We really did need it - it hasn't rained for weeks and the garden was getting a bit floppy. Everything felt refreshed today - a bit battered though - but hey, you can't have everything.

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  6. We have had rain most of the weekend the fine stuff that gets you wet.. love you photos especially the one of the bridge and the barge on it's way through.
    Amanda xx

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    1. It's a shame when it rains at the weekend, especially if you have lots of outdoor things planned - my husband took that photo and was pleased with the way it turned out.

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  7. I do like a bit of rain at this time of year (provided it's not accompanied by low temperatures and a howling wind). There's something lovely about all that green and lushness with a layer of raindrops on it.
    Your pictures are great too, they tell a wonderful story.
    Sarah.

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    1. Hello Sarah
      Thank you for visiting and welcome. It has been a very cold and windy start to early summer hasn't it, but the rain was welcome and everything looks so much better for it. Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  8. Oh I imagine the countryside and your garden lapped up that rain with relish Elaine. The sheep seem to have known it was coming. Only a desultory few drops here :(

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    1. It certainly has Anna - I swear everything has doubled in size overnight! The sheep sheltering in the shade of the trees looked almost like a painting - they posed perfectly for the picture. Sorry you didn't have much rain - maybe it will come your way next time :)

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  9. P.S. I remember 'Tales From The Riverbank' with great fondness :)

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  10. Such lovely views. I especially like the first one with the church and the houses in the distance and that last one of the beautiful sunset. I live in the town and I dream of living in the countryside and being surrounded by the beauty of nature!

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    1. We are very fortunate to live where we do, surrounded by beauty where Mother Nature is very generous - we are eternally appreciative of it. May be one day your dream will come true.

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  11. Beautiful photographs Elaine ….. I particularly like the one of the boat, canal and bridge.
    …… rain isn't always a bad thing, is it ? XXXX

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    1. Thanks Jackie - no, it isn't, although I had left the washing out - silly me!

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  12. What a beautiful walk!!! I love the picture of the boat coming towards the bridge! It is beautifully composed! xx

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    1. Thank you Amy. It is a lovely walk. We managed to get home without getting too wet.

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  13. Glad you had some rain for the garden, that soaking wet partridge is a cuty and despite wet beautiful, wonderful sunset too. The last few days we were in the south of our country and hand a lot of heavy showers, tonight we came home, it had not rained one drop........the garden is really too dry.

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    1. It's funny how rain works - it can be pouring down where you live and a couple of miles further on it is as dry as a bone. Luckily the rain landed on us this time - the garden really needed it.

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  14. That is a lovely sunset! And the partridge - bedraggled but beautiful.

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    1. The sunset really was amazing - kind of took your breath away. And the partridge, well, we were dead chuffed he visited, never seen one in the garden before - I think he must have taken a wrong turning somewhere!

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  15. Love these walks and the stories that go with them. Are partridges raised as game birds near you or do they just occur in the wild?

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    1. Thanks Lucille. They are not raised round here as far as I know - we see them out in the fields but never this close to home - a rare treat.

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  16. We were very happy with the pitter patter of some raindrops too, the garden was so parched. The sheep complete the pastoral scene lying under the shade of the trees, and what a little charmer the partridge is.

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    1. Usually we moan about all the rain we get - but this year has been unusually dry hasn't it. As least I won't have to get the hosepipe out for a couple of days. The sheep did make a charming picture and the partridge was a delight - he hung around for quite a while before he got spooked.

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  17. What a beautiful, relaxing post, just what I needed after a totally manic day! Your pictures are beautiful and I enjoyed waiting for the rain, how I wish it would rain here, everything is parched! Looking at the narrow boats had me pining for mine....sighs....a boat is a wonderful thing in the rain!
    A partridge! Wow....lucky you, and I envy you the thunder and lightening...you can't beat a good thunder storm! That sunset is just perfect to end on....thanks for the relaxation session!xxx

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    1. Thank you Snowbird - sorry you didn't get the rain - maybe next time. The people in the narrow boats did look totally relaxed and I thought, what a nice way to spend your time - just cruising slowly, taking everything in. Glad you enjoyed the relaxation session after your manic day.

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  18. such beautiful pictures to illustrate your beautiful words. thank you so much for sharing them.

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    1. Thank you Sarah. I always enjoy writing posts like these - the countryside is what makes me tick.

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  19. What beautiful day in such a gorgeous place.

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  20. A most enjoyable post and lovely pictures.
    That's my kind of walk along the canal towpath. Flighty xx

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  21. I love walking by the canal - lovely post.

    Hope you have a lovely week

    All the best Jan

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  23. Your blog is lovely Elaine! I will follow you :) Fiona

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  24. Thanks for following me Elaine, you're my first follower! :)

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  25. I love those moments when a storm is threatening and gosh how the gardens needed a good soaking ....

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    1. So do I it was a little disappointing at first but soon made up for it - and yes, the garden really needed a good downpour.

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  26. What a lovely day. I am glad that the rain came you way. It is still raining here off and on now, thankfully more off. I am up early and the sky is gray, the thunder rattles, and the house is chilly. Please remind me that it is the middle of June. I always enjoy your strolls through your countryside--nice litle virtual vacations for me.

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    1. Sadly our weather is a bit up and down at the moment, yes it is June but you can only tell because the roses are blooming! Glad you enjoyed the stroll with me.

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  27. What a lovely walk. Our river doesn't have many boats due to a weir not far downstream and the narrow boats look stunning. So glad you got rain, ours only lasted a few minutes.

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    1. This particular area of the canal usually has quite a few boats moored up - most of them have gardens on the roof which is an added bonus. We have rain at the moment and it is chilly - again!

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  28. I live across the street from a river, but traffic and fencing keep me from visiting it often. I wish it were as peaceful a scene as the lovely one your words and pictures describe.

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    1. It is a walk I always enjoy - shame your river isn't as accessible as mine. Thank you for your kind words.

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  29. Another charming post. I felt as though I was walking by your side. You have an amazing ability to take your loyal readers wherever you wander.

    We too are in dire need of rain and evidence of drought is all around us sadly. The only moisture we receive regularly is that which the foggy mornings provide us.

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    1. Thank you CD - that is what I am aiming for - a virtual walk alongside me. Even though we have had one good downpour it has been a very dry year so far.

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  30. Dear Elaine- the sunset was gorgeous. I have never seen a partridge before. What a lovely bird. Our pheasants would be similar to your bird. Such peaceful scenes friend. It was like I was taking a walk with you. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Debbie
      It was a gorgeous sunset - most unusual - with all the lines and streaks. I have never seen a partridge in the garden before - smaller than a pheasant and not quite so showy but delightful all the same. Glad you enjoyed the walk - always a favourite of mine.

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  31. I love the moody treatment you've given these riverbank photos. I felt I was with you, watching for that threatening (then, falling) rain and the loveliness of hedgerows and flowers. Hope your time away will be refreshing.

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  32. Thank you. I'm sure it will be.

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  33. Hello Elaine from your most recent post.
    "A change of scenery.
    A change of routine.
    To find new words.
    New thoughts.
    New inspiration.

    Time for a break.

    See you soon."

    Have a very pleasant break

    All the best Jan

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