JUNE
At last the weather has broken. Rain has come. Not crazy but steady. The rivers are now a filling and the grasses are slowly turning greener. The cows are very happy about this; especially the Mum's who have calves needing litres of their milk to grow fit and strong.
Of course , all of nature has gone POW ! Bushes shoot to the sky. My cranes bill has flowered and flowered. Lettuces? Well, each day I am having a salad and there is more to come.
Last week end we had the wonderful Fire in the Mountain music festival. Had musicians stay and friends from England. No room at the inn so I camped in my garden. Thought there was only one collared dove waking me in the morning but now I realize there are three. Each defining it's territory.Pehaps I should define mine !
MAY
This is crazy ! We have had hardly any rain for the last 8 -10 weeks. There's been a High pressure hovering over our wee island and does not seem to want to move. I absolutely love it.The weather has gradually been warming up but still chilly in the evening. Most days are spent in shorts outside, gardening , DIY and regualr forays to the beach.
The sea for swimming is just about bearable for me as a mere mortal. The views and smells are gorgeous. The rivers are drying up. This morning while taking a country lane bike ride, I stopped on a bridge looking down onto the Ystwyth. There jumping along the dry bank a pine martin ! Not aware of my presence it nonchantly bounced along the river shore on his/her way somewhere and at one point leapt skyward to ford the river. Wonderful.
Our spring is now becoming our summer it seems.
APRIL
We are now in mid-April and the weather has finally turned. There comes a point when the ground and the beasts need the rain. Even in March after 5-6 weeks of dry weather the ground is hard and parched. Cows and sheep need the lush green moist grass. Also great relief for the farmers who are continually feeding them their nutrients.
All my early attention to clearing my banks of dead grasses and weeds has rewarded me with a carpet of yellow and purple primroses. Looks especially stunning in the early morning light. Have also taken advantage of the dry weather to cut my lawn for the first time this year. I leave a large plot in my upper garden free to allow numerous grasses to grow and various species to hang out as it were.
All of March we have had practically no rain. It's been a wonderful month for excursions , gardening and sitting on the beach. March is becoming one of my favourite months of the year. The daffodil displays are impressive. So many primroses out and sloe gin blossoms. Even my Japanese cherry blossom tree I planted some years ago is bearing its fruit.
The sea is still icy cold though. There is a gentle walk from Cei Bach into Newquay along a curved beach. It's a lovely walk. Tentative steps were taken in the water as I took off my shoes and socks. Eventually my toes came back to life ! How others can swim in the bay this time of year ?
I have prepared the soil for the year. Compost that has been sitting in a bin for over a year is now distributed between my different plots. Each year the soil improves from a rocky rubble to something resembling soil. Also, been nurturing my rhubarb, helped by the metal fence I placed to stop the next door cows nibbling at it.
MARCH 2025
Well into March now. It seems the last 3 March's the weather has been cold but stable and dry. Likewise this year. The rivers run low so kayaking is out of the question on the Ystwyth. Some of the lambs are being released into the field. In fact, I saw a cluster of 10-12 frolicking together as I passed by on our local bus.Can't help but smile with optimism and a little joy
The bus is infrequent but if we don't use it we wil lose it.
Habits set in matching the change of seasons. Early each year I spend some time in my spinny/orchard. This is at the top end of the garden. Each year I clear all the ground debris in prep for the blossoming of the snowdrops.They never disappoint. The snowdrops have also spread to the bridle path adjacent to the garden. But they are never here for long. The whole year in preparation for 1 week of carpetting.
Maybe a lesson for all our lives !
SPRING 2025
Into another year. The year of 2025. For some reason this date is easier to remember than the last.
After the two enormous storms before and after Christmas a sense of calm has arrived.
High pressure for the last 3 weeks into February has meant cold but very dry weather.
In these calmer times I divide my time between work and pleasure. Looking after the inside/outside of the house or gardening/trampling our gorgous hill and valleys.
Just this week, daffodils are springing up, as are snowdrops and the ever reliable primroses. It is too cold for spring, especially with some snow still on the tops, but a welcome relief from the long Welsh winter days.
AUGUST 2024
Busy looking after our guests, middle of the summer so peak time.
Weather has been bonkers. Lots of sunshine , lots of wind and a few days of a Meditteranean hot climate . No complaints though. Making the most , a spot of DIY in and out of the house in the mornings then. off to the beach and sea in the afternoon. Sea swimming is perfect now although waves can be err... tricky.
Just north of Penbryn on the Ceredigion coast there is a "secret" bay. I say secret, you can't actually see it from the coastal path and it's a challenge to get to it. People laugh when I describe it as "a piece of the Carribbean" in West Wales. It really is. A sheltered small bay with clear aqua blue water. A treasure of a find.
JULY 2024
July has flown by. Week ends have been busy with guests which is fun and rewarding.
Given up on many of my vegetables this year. Now we have some warm sunny weather but, earlier , wet and cold did for many of my new plants. Still have some lettuces and the trusty Sardinian rocket.
The front of the house has had a once over. Was starting to look shabby now....it looks clean and sparkling.
Swimming in the sea almost ever day. We look out for both jelly fish and the dolphins. Jelly fish are quite common but very few dolphins.
I organise Monday nights football in the village. All ages and genders. Great success atm with so many local neighbours supporting the cause
JUNE 2024
The end of June and finally, finally we have had a spell of decent warm weather.After the rain and now the sun, all greenery has gone crazy. I left the garden to itself for a month and now it will take me another the month to sort !
I had to plant my greens again as the first bunch did not appear. My Sardinian rocket has loved the weather and has taken over my mini green house.It seems the more I cutback in the winter, these plants and bushes are now going wild.
The sea is now bearable to swim and I take this opportunity when I can. The river the same.
I also took this warm spell to back pack and camp in Snowdonia. The Natille Ridge was my main object and then a long walk into Portmadog. Exhausting and exhilarating. Out of season and in the week, one can have the hills to oneself. Love it.
SPRING 2024
MAY
May has been glorious. The wet weather previous has now been transformed by warm and a sunnier clime. My earlier tedious chore of clearing the garden banks of weed and grasses has rewarded me with blue bells, primroses and numerous other wild flowers. Visually pleasing and the perfumes ! In the evening my mustard colour azalea has it's own unique sweet smell that drifts across the garden as I attend to my menial outdoor tasks.
APRIL
It's the last week in April and we have had a week of dry weather. When this happens, so much to do outside the house and in the garden. Planted some kale in the upper bedding area and a variety of lettuces in the small green house. Cuttings from trees and bushes that have been sitting idle over the winter season, now it is gently burnt in my metal bin. This job I love. Cutting up the wood, deciding what will burn best. Also the smell and the heat on a cold morning. A jacket potato or two as well! I finished the last of the spring rhubarb. Had a decent crop this year, managing to stop the cows in the adjacent field taking their nibbles.
Bank holiday coming up the end of this week so.....busy busy..
Spring ?
Apart from the sporadic few hours the weather, so far in April, has been wet wet wet. According to the Meteorological Office, Wales has had twice the amount of rainfall already this month, it's only the 10th as I write !
Fortunately for our guest, their visits coincided with the break in the clouds.One of our guests had stayed here before, when she was 8 years old. Her family owned the house in the 1960's so , it was fascinating to hear her memories about the house and its history.
Hold the Front page - SNOW
It's the last week of March and we had some snow. Not a dusting but 2". Overnight without warning. Freak weather.
Rose early and to my delight, sunny,winter wonderland. Still in my dressing gown, I put on my wellies and went for a wander, camera in hand. So beautiful it takes ones breath away. Yes, I know , it's only snow, but I need to make the most of these rare events.
March is such a wonderful month and a somewhat relief.
Wonderful as the signs of spring are all around us and relief, the wet and cold weather is behind us.
The pregnant ewes have all been sheltering in the warmth of the barns. Now the lambs have arrived, both Mum and child have been released in to the gentle warmth of the spring sunshine.
Yellow daffodils, yellow primroses and the yellow lesser celandine, all reappear in the month of March.
The sun rises earlier and moves further west providing longer days. Longer days to catch up on assorted outdoor chores and, of course, more adventurous walks.
Catching the end of the snow,with a friend, we clambered up Plymlimon from a beaulach. Quite gentle slopes were attained with a vast expanse north and south from the summit.
Oh happy days.
