This has been a hard year for the countryside generally; the dry weather left everything looking tired and worn out so the wet weather and generally more damp conditions have been welcomed despite the howls and grumbles of the sun seekers.
The rain has generally come far too late for the farmers who have had to feed cattle in the summer as the grass stopped growing and no doubt have wondered how good the crops are going to be without the rain to swell the corn.

Most of the yellow patches on the lawn have disappeared and the lawn mower has been got out of hibernation for the second time this year.

Deer
They are still taking trips to the garden delicatessen We thought we had put barriers around everything that mattered but they seem to eat an enormous variety of plants and flowers; anything that is succulent and not poisonous it seems.

We were woken at 3 am one morning by much screaming noise from in the fields. This continued for a few minutes and towards the end, the low grunts of the Bucks could also be heard. We couldn't see anything and whether this was the usual male animal posturing (a bit late) we do not know. Judging by the blood curdling noises, I first thought that it was young foxes. Di commented that the roe deer's rutting season is usually in August which is when the Bucks are most visible and vocal but the warm nights may well have extended the season this year. 

Fruit
What a wonderful crop of fruit and berries there are around at the moment. We have been busy picking the Bramley apples, which took three evenings, making jam, and freezing the windfalls. The Blenheim tree is also ready for picking. these apples are good for eating and cooking and are a delightful taste.

Our pear trees have also produced a bumper crop and the elderberries are hanging down in bunches. There are plenty this year for man and beast and I have it in mind to make some elderberry and apple jam, if I can find the time.

The blackberries in the garden are quite large but the ones in the field are small this year due to the lack of water.

It was heartening to see a few common wasps as last year the late frost killed most of them off.. I know that many of you don't like this insect but they do eat very many flies and other insects. We need them to keep the flies in check. Too many of any species can become a problem.

There are still a few dragonflies zooming around the garden and pond, but most will have died after mating (they only last for about a month as dragonflies). The warm weather has brought out the Autumn butterflies. the second brood of the year. I have seen plenty of Red Admirals and Small Whites.

Six-year old Angie, and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out loud in church." "Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked. Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two men standing by the door? They're hushers."