The spiders are coming inside.. It’s a sure sign that summer is on the wain.
I had noticed an extra few about the place a couple of weeks ago. And then Mr T commented on a particularly large one he had seen run under the sofa – and the one he had seen in the bathroom running under the cabinet… and then that night, as I was getting ready for bed, I noticed Toastie staring intently at something on the floor by my bed side table. I couldn’t find anything crawly on my search but then spent some time lying in bed in the dark feeling imaginary insects creeping on me..
I have been stewing plums, making plum jam, and caramelised red onion relish. Very soon our apples will need picking and as our tree is over loaded we will be eating them for quite awhile to come. I once had a recipe for spiced apple preserve which has disappeared so I will have to try and make it up. I know the apples were cooked in orange juice and a little bag of spice but that is about all I can recall..except that it was heavenly.
I have been eating home made muesli, Rachel’s Full Fat Organic Yoghurt and my own stewed plums for breakfast and enjoying every last bite. Mr T has taken up making sour dough bread so for a change I eat the most wonderful toast with my jam on it of course.
I am getting even fatter..
Stewing Plums
On the other hand I am getting way more exercise now we have Toastie and that is a very good thing both for my body and for my mental health. There are a lot of walks to choose from in this area. Cusop even has its own little packet of trail maps that we bought from the Information Centre in Hay . One map points out Badger sets which I had walked past before and not noticed.
Cusop Walks
Although our weather is on the turn it is still warm and last night as the dog and I sauntered out for our evening constitutional we stopped to watch the wee bats stealth diving around the street light at the end of our terrace. Although the light and warmth make the days seem lazy and slow, with the Dingle sluggish in places, the animal life is in a mad rush to eat and/or store away as much food as possible. Nut trees are stripped in days by ravening hoards of squirrels. Flocks of birds are migrating as well, our most noticeable visitors from afar – the Swifts, have disappeared in the last couple of weeks.
We have been on several long walks lately but the longest would have to be to visit The Begwns – a lovely stretch of open access land owned by the National Trust. We wanted to walk to The Roundabout, a small group of trees planted on a hill to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. Toastie is sporting her mohawk which is has got thinner as the summer has gone on. So far we have resisted efforts to get us to dye it pink.
On the way to the Roundabout on The Begwns
Showing off her mohawk
Mr T and The Toastalator on finally reaching the Millennium Circle wall that surrounds The Roundabout. Wonderful 360 degree views - but a bit hazy on this day.
View from The Begwns - spot the sheep
I do love late summer – except for the spider bit that is..
