Where Elderflowers Grow

Watching the rain through the window just now, it could be difficult to imagine how different the weather was just a matter of days ago. The sun was shining and the breeze was soft and warm, perfect for collecting elderflowers.

In these parts there are an abundance of elder trees, especially amongst the hedgerows, although they often go unnoticed until the beginning of June when they become covered in large creamy white flower heads. Therefore, with a bag in hand and a small pair of scissors just in case, off I went on my mission, certain in the knowledge I would be able to gather more than enough flower heads to make some delicious cordial. Previously, I have gathered my flowers whilst enjoying one of our favourite walks, but with this being inaccessible for the time being I needed to source some a little closer to home.

The flowers I wanted were easy to reach - often the large blossoms are typically much too high or obstructed by thorny branches and nettles - so I soon had enough for my needs and we continued up and along the side of the hill, pausing along the way to spot a wide variety of wildflowers, moths and caterpillars.

During a brief pause for a rest Lily asked me why I had a yellow nose. Being a little relieved not to have passed anyone else by this point, I realised my face had a light dusting of pollen from all the elderflower I had been sniffing. Oh well, their delightful scent had proved a little too tempting for me 😊

On returning home I prepared the syrup, the flowers and lemon steeping in the sugary mixture overnight soon filled the kitchen with their delicately sweet aroma.

In the same way that making wild garlic pesto marks the arrival of spring for me, the making of elderflower cordial is another indicator of the year passing by. In little over a week the longest day will be behind us and very soon it will be raspberry season.  This week I feel as though I've been a little more productive, and with a very gradual shift towards a semblance of normal life resuming again I'm beginning to feel a little more optimistic. Other concerns have been alleviated for the moment, so I'm feeling grateful for this time to be able to sit back and appreciate what is important.

Next week I have plans to visit a National Trust garden and I'm looking forward to being able to take small tentative steps out into the world again.

Stay well.

J. X

Holiday at Home

I don't know about anyone else, but the longer I leave between posts, the more difficult I find it trying to get into the swing of it again. It's been a strange sort of week here, for various reasons the last few days have been a bit of a struggle and I've finally run out of steam.

This week much of my time has been spent at home and I'm sure that my lethargy is in part down to not getting out and about as often as usual. With so much confusion regarding the restrictions I'm still quite anxious about what I can and can't do, added to the fact that I'm no longer working I feel as though I'm lacking some purpose to my days. Having said all that, I continue to be safe and well, and for that I am truly grateful.

I have also been very grateful for the recent sunny weather. It's been glorious here. I admit, I am a little concerned that this could have been our summer, but I really hope that won't be the case and in Lily's words we've enjoyed a 'holiday at home'.

With several days of high temperatures forecast it didn't take long to decide to put up the paddling pool and I've spent so much time outdoors, making the most of the sunshine, home schooling definitely pushed aside for the time being 😊 It felt so wonderful to be finally wearing my summer clothes and flip flops.

The garden produce is growing fast, strawberries are beginning to ripen (and I can confirm they are delicious), the sunflowers are getting taller and even the Sweet Peas have reached the top of their canes. Everything appears to be much further along than this time last year. I've replaced the bolted spinach with some more of the tomato seedlings and, as they've done so well this year, I had enough to be able to answer a request for some on a local giving site.

Mog has been enjoying this warm weather too. Usually, if she's not asleep in the house she will be out in the field looking for mice, but for some reason she will spend much more of her time in the garden if Lily is out there, although I've been careful to keep her away from the pool. An old tree stump is her favourite place to lie down but even she eventually had to search for a shaded spot beneath the leaves.

This afternoon I am heading out for a walk. I need to blow away the cobwebs and take some much needed exercise. I am also hoping to gather some elderflowers so that I can make cordial.

Stay well.
J. X

In the Garden

As well as going out for many walks and picnics in the local area, the warm sunny weather has meant I've also been spending much of my time in the garden. Recent restrictions have made me realise just how fortunate I am to have this little plot and I can't begin to tell you how much I have come to appreciate it, especially during recent weeks.

In the damp winter months I can feel quite resentful of what I feel is wasted space. Being so wet and muddy it rarely gets used during this time of year and aside from clearing up the leaves and repairing any storm damage I tend not to give it too much attention. Instead, I allow my mind to wander to thoughts of a house extension, surely it would be much more beneficial,  and how wonderful it would be to have that large dining kitchen I've always hankered after. I get  like this every year, so you would think I'd know better by now. Oh well, I can always dream.

Recently, however, I couldn't imagine not having this precious little patch of earth. Whether I'm sowing seeds, being able to grab a handful of spinach to enjoy in a sandwich, pegging out the laundry, or simply enjoying sitting in the sunshine with a cup of tea. As long as I don't have the dilapidated shed in my field of vision I am quite content. And I am hopeful even that might  get replaced before the end of the summer. I also must not forget the importance of this space for digging, making mud pies and poking worms, the opportunities for making a mess are endless.

Anyway, here is a little glimpse as to what is out there just now.

The Sweet Peas are doing well. I planted these using harvested seeds from last years plants. There is some new growth on the Lavender and I am keeping the mint in a pot from now on after it all went a bit wild last year. There are Sunflowers and Rosemary in the background. Just out of shot are eight tiny chilli seedlings.

Beetroot.

Sunflowers. I plant these up against the fence so they are supported as they grow. There are twelve of them at the moment. Some are from the seeds I got for Lily's birthday last year and the rest are a smaller variety which I think are red in colour. Some more Lavender.

Strawberries. It  looks as though there will be a plentiful supply this year.

Tomatoes. I was later to sow these this year but it looks like they are beginning to grow a little faster now.

There are also some carrots and spinach in the vegetable patch, and each morning I take these little pots outside to sit in the sun. Lily and I have planted some apple and lemon seeds. They've grown even more since I took this photograph just the other day and I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress.

As the temperatures are set to rise, the garden will have another purpose this week. We're setting up the new paddling pool!

J. X

Along the River

The weeks are drifting by quickly, and no sooner had I become used to a new routine, it all changed again and I find myself at home full time now, joining in with everyone else who's  losing track of which day of the week it is. It's a steep learning curve. I'm someone who likes a certain amount of structure to my days, so this doesn't come easily to me, but I'm working on it and for the time being at least, I'll be getting plenty of practice.

Being able to get outdoors is a huge benefit. Aside from experiencing a couple of cooler, blustery days the weather continues to be glorious and time spent roaming the countryside is even more relaxing when there are no time constraints. Without the necessity to rush home there is always plenty of time to stop for a picnic, watch the tadpoles and ducklings, or even have a paddle. Sometimes we do all three. We've walked and we've cycled, often taking the same route each day, it seems there's always something new to see and a I find comfort in the familiar, well trodden paths.

We often enjoy a picnic lunch down by the river. The cool, damp air beneath the trees quite a contrast from the warm sunshine. It's simple fare, usually just egg and salad buns, fruit, crisps and flapjack, quickly thrown together in the hurry to get set off, but eaten outdoors in the fresh air it tastes so much more delicious than it would have done at  home.

The recent dry weather means the river levels are low just now. Much of the water lies still and every so often we catch a glimpse of small silver fish leaping up above the water leaving behind a circle of ripples.

Well rested and with all our lunch eaten, we gather up our belongings and begin to head for home.

Whether walking or cycling, our journey takes us high up above the river now. All around us the cows quietly graze, the young ones far less interested in us now than when they were first let out into the fields. The Hawthorn trees are in full flower and we have to brush past the Cow Parsley as it froths over onto the pathway. As we cross the stream there is a final chance for a game of Poohsticks before we arrive home once again.

This week I'll be finding my feet in a new pattern to my days, but as long as the weather continues to be kind, I'm sure I'll be spending much of them outdoors.

Stay well.

J. X