Don’t think I can ever recall a Spring/early Summer that has been so long without rain- we even missed the thunderstorms of last week- never made it to Frampton!

Strange pattern of life here at the moment. Looking after Clare, popping out for the odd ride or bird watch and trying to make sure the plants don’t completely dry up! I also manage to watch the Giro d’Italia probably the most captivating of the cycling Grand Tours because of its unpredictability.

Birds in the garden have been good in recent weeks with occasional visits from siskins, blackcaps,  song thrush, great spotted woodpecker and goldcrest a welcome additions to our regular visitors. Add to that we often can hear from  the house –oystercatchers, cuckoo, common terns, barnacle geese and of course occasionally the booming bittern.