August again and it is hot. Very hot. As we are close to a rather stagnant pond this means there are a lot of insects. Some are a delight as butterflies and bees descend on the lavender all day. I’ve counted at least six different types of butterflies and countless species of bees. We also have a proliferation of dragonflies this year. The last few summers they were mainly a vivid electric blue but this year we also have brown and red specimens. They may be damselflies but perhaps someone with more knowledge than I have can enlighten me.
Of course, as it is August again the biting and stinging flies are out once more. They weren’t too bad last year but that just lulled us into a false sense of security. Starting with a few tentative nibbles in July, they have massed and now attack in force. Yesterday we were in our front yard for maybe 90 minutes. That evening I counted 30 new bites. 30! They seem to be a new type of ninja fly as I’ve only spotted the twice despite the huge number of bites. They also manage to access some very nasty places – neck, back, stomach, legs and worse. One even managed to bite Jacqui on her right eyelid. They can become extremely itchy at night, especially when it is hot adding sleep deprivation to their misery. I’m now in a slow boiling rage and spend a lot of time prowling the house with my electric swatter. The Flyminator is back!
Whilst the easiest solution would be to stay indoors it is August again and everything is growing. Plants need watering, the polytunnel needs vents opened and closed and the lettuce, rocket and spinach need thinning. The plus side is we have delicious salad leaves and soon hopefully will add tomatoes, large and small. The beans are struggling, partly due to a couple of heavy rainstorms but are recovering now. However, it also means a new battle over the fruit trees.
The birds, you may recall, stripped the raspberries. In two days they also had most of the plums, much to my fury. Then the morning after the farmer cut the grass in the field behind us a huge – and I mean HUGE – flock of crows descended on it. I went out to open the vents and a large proportion of them was on our apple trees or in the trees surrounding the orchard. Most of them flew off when I arrived and several loud handclaps dislodged the rest but they had already started on the eating apples. I think we need to try making a scarecrow. Either that or I will be sitting out in the early morning, a banquet for the damn flies and midges!
Still, August has had its consolations. Our lovely friend Noel was over in Ireland and stayed for a few days. As usual he was itching to help and did some of the strimming and heavy stuff we struggle with sometimes. At last the old post for the washing line – and its concrete base – were moved. They now repose amongst the mallows waiting for further demolition. He also helped with the mopeds that we cannot ride any more and have been garaged. The dogs were delighted to see him, especially Cynthia who misses men in her life occasionally. It was a lovely happy visit and we look forward to seeing him again. The sunsets have been even more remarkable than usual too, a display of glorious colours behind the Fairy Fort.
Well, as it is August again it was time to celebrate a special birthday. Our oldest dog, Chloe, turned 18. This is a decent age for a long-lived breed and she is still sparky, happy and with a core of steel. We are very careful about what she has to eat but as a special treat she had a little ice cream. Well, that went down very well. So well in fact that she now sits in front of us demanding some every evening. Up to now she has experienced no ill effects so we offer her a bit.
Tibetan dogs generally seem able to eat most of the things others can’t from onions to dairy. We were worried we might lose her before her 17th birthday as she had 5 fits in 24 hours. This would have carried off a much younger dog – but not Chloe. It was never repeated and although she is going blind she still runs around the garden and can find her way wherever she wants to go. After all, there is nothing wrong with her nose. Here’s to more years with this remarkable little dog!
And here’s to the end of August and slightly cooler weather.
Take care, thank you for reading and I hope to see you again in two weeks.
Jennie.