Sand from Africa.

Very different weather today. It's still incredibly hot but with showers in the morning. After the rain all the cars were covered with sand from the Sahara blown in by the southerly wind. We literally could not see out of the windscreen.

This morning there was a lot of noise coming from a group of gulls on the water. It was the gull equivalent of a playgroup with much excitement from the fledglings (toddler gulls) as they got know each other. Elsewhere in the bay the rest of the gulls floated quietly on the water.

Then much excitement as I spotted a dolphin cruising down the coast and managed to get a reasonable photo.

It was dry later on when I cycled down to the Community Gardens and stayed dry right until we were about to leave after enjoying some chai spiced cake. Before the cake and chat I helped cut back bramble runners which were snaking their way into the grass.

When nobody is there these two chickens live in a moveable house and run but get to roam when somebody is working in the gardens. The orange hen is 14 years old. She knows when it's cake time and always comes to see what she can scrounge. She will also jump up on the table to help herself to cake if the cover is left off the cake which happened today. Quick as a flash she was up and got herself a beakfull of cream cheese frosting before getting a good telling off.

Despite the hazy sky it was still exceptionally hot and continued on for the rest of the day. We had to collect the camper from the garage. It now has a new MOT and had some holes (not sure where) repaired and as soon as we've cleaned it up and taken out all our stuff it will be going up for sale. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon installing the gate. That took a while because first I thought the post would be better in a slightly different position which meant drilling another hole in a granite block only to find that didn't work. Back to the original plan and after a few more minor adjustments the gate is in place. All that's left to do is to drill a hole in the gate for some rope to hook over the upright stone in the wall to stop the gate swinging open. That should stop the wind blowing into the garden.

It was as I sat on the terrace having a well earned rest that I heard laughter from out on the water. It was a neighbour and her daughters on a paddleboard. With them was their dog, in a life jacket, having a swim in the sea. They are always on the water in one way or another but it was funny to see Muffin paddling around in the water. The girl in front was absolutely roaring with laughter while her sister, complete with shark's fin was busy watching the fish.

It was too good an evening to waste so Peter cooked up another barbecue, (chicken and sausages), which we ate outside while watching more dolphins beyond the long reef and later the sunset.

Seren.

The hot weather continues.

During the day the beach was almost deserted but once the schools were out everybody headed for the beach.

I've had a very busy day, at least for me. I was up in good time to drive to the stables for an hour's hack at 10.00. When I got to the stables it turned out that the other person on the hack was one of the RDA volunteers so we chatted all the way. Plenty of cantering this time which was fun. I rode Seren (Star) another skewbald cob like Alice but younger and a lot more forward going. We went up to the top of the hill from where we could see right across the Vale of Rheidol. My next ride will be a group lesson as I quite enjoy trying to improve my horsemanship.

From the stables I went down to the dump to get rid of more garden waste and then on to Morrisons. No traffic jams at all today now that the holidays are over. I did a bit of shopping in town and took some more clothes to the charity shop as I'd had another sort out recently. With it being so hot it was rather nice to go into shops that have air conditioning, not quite so nice was being hit with a blast of hot air as you walked out of the shops. As soon as I got home I threw some washing in the machine, put on my swimming costume and walked down to the beach for a swim. That was still before the schools were out and there were only two people in the water. (The lifeguards have gone now too.) I swam for a while once I'd got used to the cold water. Then instead of being a gentle swell the waves began to break just where I was. Not enough to make it worth while going home for my bodyboard but it made swimming harder. Especially as I won't go out of my depth. Swimming over I had a shower and then sat in the sun working on my crochet followed by Duo Lingo and getting ready for choir which was fun as usual.

This is the first official sighting of a dragonfly by the pond. It may only be a common darter but I'm taking it as a sign that wildlife will soon be coming to the pond.

Now I have my very own Palantir which sits in water and moves about in the breeze. (LOTR fans will understand this.)

 

Zoo Day.

Another hot and sunny day but the wind has began to change direction. Somebody at Pilates tonight said the temperature in her conservatory was 37C/98F and another person had been working in an office that was 35C/95F.

This morning the easterly wind brought in lines of swell which could be seen crashing against the rocks. In the afternoon and evening the sea had settled down once more.

I cycled down to the zoo and spent three hours weeding the small play area digging over the wet compacted woodchip to give it a chance to dry out. The good weather isn't good for the zoo as everyone stays on the beach and there were only six adult visitors while I was there. The wolf dogs had ice blocks made with raw chicken to keep them cool and some of the other animals had frozen cucumbers. It took me a while to cool down after my cycle ride home. All I had time to do in the garden was move the rest of the mint from the end bed to the other side of the lawn.

It was still lovely and warm as I walked home from Pilates. Peter had cooked a barbecue and we had a peaceful evening eating out on the terrace and watching the people on the beach. (Both photos were taken after supper.)

 

Hot.

We've had lovely weather today, hot (officially 27C/80F) with a pleasantly warm breeze. 

I got three loads washed and out on the line before starting work in the garden. Working my way through all the chisel-like tools we have I managed to chip away enough of the protruding granite to allow the gate post to sit flush against the wall. Now I need to get some black screws to fix the hinges and then that job will be nearly done. Even though it was really too hot to be moving plants I dug up the buddleia in the back garden and moved it down to the front. The bright pink azalea was cut back a bit and then tied back under the hedge. A few other things were planted, a spirea and a ceanothus to complete the shrubbery with knautia and a verbena bonariensis to fill the gaps between for the time being.

By that time I was too hot to do any more and ......... I went for a swim. This is the first time this year as I was too busy when we had the earlier hot spell and the weather has been a bit grim since then. As I got to the crowded beach I spotted somebody I know heading for the water. I joined her and another chap I know but it took me a while to get used to the water which felt quite cold. Unlike the Med which has been as warm as bathwater whenever I've been there on holiday. I began by simply floating on my back and then found I could swim for a lot longer than last year which is encouraging. Coming out of the water the I didn't need my oversized towelling hoody and simply let the sun dry me as I walked home. 

Earlier in the garden I'd got excited when I spotted two damsel flies but of course they'd gone by the time I got my camera. However when I went to hang up the last load of washing there they were sitting on the washing line.

As promised here's a glimpse of F's stunning garden.

This is a crystal apple cucumber, about the size of a large apple, from F's garden. It's an old variety and tastes very nice though you do have to take off the skin.

This evening we ate our supper outside since it was so nice and warm. People were in the water right until it got dark and even now the stars are out it doesn't feel cold.

Sunny Sunday Walks.

It looks like we are having a welcome hot spell, long may it last. 

At 6.00 this morning the world was just waking up. In the distance an autumnal ribbon of mist hung over the River Dyfi though I was comfortable enough wrapped up in my dressing gown, warm cat on my lap and a mug of hot tea in my hand. By 6.30 the first fishermen were heading out. One casting from the edge of the water, yesterday's wheeled kayaker already out by the reef and two more guys bringing their kayaks down the beach. A cormorant caught himself a fine fish but lost it moments later.

Eventually my body began to creakily ease its way back to working order and after more contemplation of the garden I did the morning chores and some Duo Lingo It was still relatively early so I went for a walk along the beach. The keen swimmers were in the water joining the fishermen who hadn't given up yet. On my walk I came across two dogs being walked on the 'No Dogs' section of the beach. I could have taken the easy option and not done anything but I've found that if I approach with a smile and speak amiably then people don't respond aggressively. I always let them know that dogs are allowed on the beach from the golf course onwards. One holidaymaker apologised and said he didn't know which is a possibility. There are signs on all the main ways on to the beach but I don't think there are any on the eight passages that cut through from the High St. to the beach. The other chap said he had just let his dog out to relieve itself, duh the whole point is not to have dog's mess on the sand. Even if they pick it up the sand could still be contaminated with germs or parasite eggs. But we kept the conversation cordial and he took his dog off the beach. 

This afternoon's walk was in the woods belonging to B and F. I've been there before but it was still lovely to walk through the mature woods with B pointing out details of interest.

One of the many beautifully crafted structures in the woods.

B's workshop from the days when he ran a full scale woodworking/joinery business.

We ate our lunch in this sunny clearing and afterwards had fun trying out some of the outdoor games B had made when he ran activity courses for troubled youngsters.

The bar skittles game was fun and so too was the rough and ready croquet course. I played a round with this group of miscreants and all I can say was that there was a lot of cheating (and laughing) going on. Not so easy was 'Frisbee Goal'. Each team, in our case two of us, stood in a goal and took turns to try and throw a frisbee through the opposing goal. I failed miserably, firstly because I can't aim a frisbee and secondly when the frisbee came hurtling at me I shrieked and leapt out of the way. A good thing too as another player ended up with a dented leg when the frisbee was thrown by B who had had plenty of practise at this.

We then carried on walking through the woods,

crossed a sunny field and then back into the woods to F and B's house. There we had tea, buttered slices of Bara Brith and lots of chat in the beautiful garden (photos tomorrow). 

I arrived home to find the sun still shining. On days like this the paddleboarders and kayakers like to come out into the bay, sometimes in groups, to watch the sunset. Lots of orange and pink streaks in the sky tonight.

Peter who is of course the resident mariner, informs me that this catamaran is a very expensive ocean going vessel. You could almost think we were overlooking the Med.

 

Sunny and Hot.

They were right and it's been a hot sunny day with a warm breeze. Lovely for all the holiday makers though I'm not too pleased to see two people walking their dogs on the spit. The dog ban goes as far as the last pile of rocks and there are signs at the main entrances to the beach but people still think it doesn't apply to them.

I thought it was too early to get up when I woke at 4.30 so I went back to sleep for a few more hours. Once I got up I was full of energy thanks to the good weather and by breakfast; the windows were washed, a Bara Brith baked, one lot of washing was out on the line and a second in the machine, I'd done my Duo Lingo and I'd sat out for a while with my mug of tea. Not that breakfast was all that early but it makes me feel good when I've got the routine jobs out of the way.

After breakfast I nipped down to the shop to get butter and that nice rye bread they sell and then I was free to carry on working in the garden. Today the hydrangea got moved and so too did a lot of mint which is now up by the stone troughs. I isolated one of the two remaining bramble roots and painted it with weed killer. Fingers crossed that does the job. I also worked on the gate, drilling holes in the granite block wall  for the post. Now that I've fixed the post to the wall I can see that a lump in the granite is stopping the post from sitting flush against the wall. The post is going to have to come off so I can chip or drill off the lump. I painted the post and fixed some lead sheet to the top and the gate had an extra coat at the same time. I've screwed the sign on the gate but I need some black screws for the hinges as it would be shame not to do the job properly.

In-between all the outdoor work I amused myself by watching people on the water. 

The rowing club went out with both boats, not surprising on such a lovely day. Peter has another week of 'resting' until he can go out in the boat even as a cox.

I keep an eye on the fishermen because where there are fish there might also be dolphins. (Our neighbour saw them this morning but I didn't.) The chap above seems to have everything organised, a kayak with built in wheels so he can wheel it down the road, a seat to lean against while he waits for fish, a life jacket in case he falls asleep and all his fishing gear. The chap below, in the canoe is also sensibly wearing a life jacket and is fishing with a net. 

 A golden end to the day.

Warm.

The day has been dry and remarkably warm. Maybe a hint that the promise of much warmer weather next week might actually happen. 

I woke before 6.00, listened to a bit of Farming Today, farmers on the Penwith moors (near St Ives) have had their land designated as an SSSI including 181 hectares of farmed fields that will be put under severe restrictions that make farming very difficult. You can read more about it here. Then fell asleep for a few more hours.

I had my first cup of coffee sitting outside watching the activity on the water. The fish are around and once again told myself off for not having my camera with me when a shoal rose to the surface splashing so nosily I could hear them clearly. No sign of any dolphins so they were probably being chased by bass.

I did manage to get some photos of the heron that likes to patrol the rock pools. When I was enlarging my photo (a process that took 2 steps with my Nikon but takes 10 with the Canon) I realised I can straighten up a wonky horizon, something I'm a little prone to getting.

This photo shows what a difference the clouds make to the colour of the sea. Blue sky / blue sea, grey sky / grey sea.

I had a fairly relaxing morning doing some crochet, on the terrace of course, as I had a riding lesson in the afternoon. I rode Alice again (I checked and it is Alice not the Welsh version Alys though a number of the horses there have Welsh names.) We did a lot of work in canter and I've booked another hour hack next week, this time not just walk and trot. That should be more fun.

Afterwards I went into town to do some shopping. I took a longer route avoiding almost all of the traffic jam on the main road. That way took me past the garden centre and of course I had to make a quick visit to see if there was anything really calling to me. I'm learning that with only a few places to buy plants here if I see something for the garden then I should buy it straight away as it won't be there the next time. However despite seeing a couple of plants that would be nice in the rockery I resisted as the rockery is currently full. I may need to fill some gaps after winter and then I'll look for replacements. The lady that works there (the owner?) turns out to be a fellow disco aerobics participant.

A quick skip around town before coming home along the coast road. Rali Ceredigion a road rally, is being held on the local roads this weekend and although the cars will only be racing over parts of the road the whole road is closed from 6.00 tonight until tomorrow evening. There's a lot of local opposition to the rally both because of the road closures (including in Aber) and because of the detrimental effect cars in general and racing cars in particular have on the environment. I'm with the environmentalists on that.

A surprise rainbow fragment this evening.

And a pretty sunset.