Wow! Has it turned autumnal all of a sudden. Anyone would think that the summer was over. (What summer, I hear you ask, but to be fair it’s not been a complete washout). The evenings are getting darker earlier, the mornings are “brisk” and the swallows/house martins have vacated the premises, beginning their journey to the warm winter weather. I guess we might get a bit of an Indian summer before we leave for China? Let’s hope so. Continue reading →

Last Saturday was the Moreton Pinkney Gardening Club’s 75th Annual Horticultural Show. Everyone is encouraged to enter produce, flowers, baked goods, etc. into the competition which raises a bit of money for the village. Last year we were away in China when it took place although I did bake a moderately mediocre loaf of sourdough which I asked a couple of neighbours to enter on my behalf. They did but sadly it failed to win any awards although they said it was very tasty and they had thoroughly enjoyed its consumption. Continue reading →

There is a tradition in the UK – bank holidays will always be spoiled by the most miserable weather imaginable. Folks look forward especially to the August Bank Holiday weekend which represents one last “hurrah” before school starts back at the beginning of September. Villages organise fetes and other activities and untold millions migrate to the beach to spend the day huddling under what little shelter they can find while their toddlers and young children splash at the water’s edge gradually turning blue with the cold. Continue reading →

What a busy, busy week! It’s been non-stop and we’ve even had to pull through some double-headers in our social calendar. Whew! I need a rest. Continue reading →

Another good week – what are the chances of that? We had our third consecutive Annabubble Double Header Sleep-over and survived largely intact. So, fortunately, did she. We also enjoyed an outing to the big city to join up with some friends for the Royal Academy Summer Show. Good fun all round. Continue reading →

So, back to normal, whatever that is. Sister Susie left on Friday morning on her long, long trek back to Portland and we are without any visitors and, perhaps more significantly, without any bookings for the Guest Wing until December! There’s still time to get your reservations in although you will have to be quick. Continue reading →

Sorry for the short and sweet (?) nature of the Picayune this morning. As I wrote last time, we have sister Susie staying with us at the moment and most of you know how demanding she can be! Just kidding – we’ve had a great visit so far and have been out and about exploring our neighbouring stately homes and gardens. We also had Bubble for a couple of nights at the beginning of the week and are looking forward to another set of overnighters this week and next. Continue reading →

Another good(ish) week – what are the chances of that? We did, finally, get a bit of the rain which has been threatened by the forecasters for the past several weeks. The weather map on Tuesday evening was awash with deep blue rain-signifying symbols covering the entire country. On Wednesday it did, indeed, rain but not nearly the deluge we had been led to believe would arrive. Instead we had a gentle sprinkle for much of the day which will have done Penelope’s garden a world of good but probably won’t fill the reservoirs to overflowing. Continue reading →

It’s been a half decent week, I guess. A bit of warm sunshine, a bit of drizzle and misty rain, as well as a bit of windy wind. And while it’s been a half decent week on the weather front, it’s been another disastrous week in the unfolding drama of what a nightmare Brexit will bring. There’s been a new warning from one think tank or another almost every day. When it all does go belly-up I guess those responsible will at least have to concede that they were warned. Continue reading →

Another good week – what are the chances of that? Good weather on the whole and the long-anticipated and much needed rain finally arrived, in a fashion, on Tuesday. Not the torrential downpours we had been promised but a light, steady rain which was very much welcomed by the flowers and vegetables in Penelope’s garden. Continue reading →