...and I will share a few snippets about this summer at Parsonage Cottage.
It will be remembered as the 'Summer of Swallows', for the simple reason that a pair of swallows decided to build a nest, high up in the rafters of the new barn. They were brilliant parents and have successfully raised and fully fledged five young. The amount of 'air traffic' in and out of the place caught the attention of the cats, too high up for them to be able to cause any problems, luckily.
Instead, they have turned their attention to rats and, since the barley field was harvested, they have caught two and left them on the patio. I say they, but I think it is semi-feral Sparky who has done the catching, Millie's (ginger cat) preference being birds.
Family visits, family gatherings and celebrations, gardening, reading and lots of long walks with Toby pretty much account for the rest of my time.
Barbecues and lots of guests, long lazy evenings spent chatting and catching up with everyone.
The weather has been very British, often three seasons all in one day. Changeable.
Some baking, of course.
Time spent walking my little gang around Owl Wood.
My next job will be to start mowing the lawns, a few years ago I would mow them all in one day. It takes me two days now - and that's not because we have expanded the garden, so it must mean that I have slowed down. Ah, well.
My best wishes to you all, hope you are enjoying your summer.
Great to see you back!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. Email to follow.
DeleteAlways good to see a catch-up post from Parsonage Cottage
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue!
Deletewelcome back..you are having a good summer so far..hope it caries on well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, gz.
DeleteWhat neat crimped edges you have. I enlarged the photo to see the scale of the perfection. It almost looks machine engineered it is so uniform. I’m a tiny bit jealous...
ReplyDeleteAre you well Elaine? I do hope so.
LX
It comes of having weirdly-shaped fingertips. ;)
DeleteAll well here, Linda. Busy times, but can't complain. I hope you are enjoying your beautiful new home.
Oh how delightful!
ReplyDeleteLike scenes out of a British 'Cozy'! Without any murder, of course! -smile-
Yes, lovely to see a new post here!!!!
Gentle hugs...
Just as well we no longer host a village show, that used to bring out very strong and deeply hidden passion in some of the locals. Cosy and no murders is fine by me!
DeleteSounds like a busy but idyllic summer. That pastry looks far too perfect!
ReplyDeleteToo many years of practice, Sue...pinch with the fingers, then poke from the other side with a teaspoon handle.
DeleteElaine,love hearing from you too. Can't get over how this year seems to have gone by so quickly. I haven't seen many swallows around here though although there is a woodpecker busy chipping away at the telegraph pole. Also noticed a few red kites flying around. I'm in the throws of moving at the moment so my blogs have been a bit thin on the ground. Have a lovely summer. Keep posting.
ReplyDeleteHello Molly! Best of luck with the move. A huge upheaval, but worth it, once the dust settles down (as my father would have said). It has been dull grey skies and rain showers here this morning, then a few minutes ago it was as though someone had flicked a switch and the sky is blue, sun shining - absolutely beautiful. I must get my washing out to dry. xx
DeleteTypical cats to have an interst in birds. Impressed you had a family of swallows. We had blutits in the Dovecote I made (more of a sparrow hotel) and a robing behind the Rosebush. I felt pleased we had given a home to some birds. I was told once a cat born in the spring will go after birds and one in the Autum go after mice. Sounds about right to me. Hav ebeen getting on well this summer as long as it's not hot. Ihate it when it gets too hot
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though your garden is very busy with all those beautiful birds, so much fun watching them. That's quite an interesting slant on the cats and their hunting habits, it does sound a reasonable theory. Unfortunately we don't know when either of our cats were born (both rescues). Lovely to hear from you Bill.
DeleteSoooo happy to know your summer is filled with making many memories! You have been missed, for sure! Great pie start! Your kitty's look very contented.
ReplyDeleteHello wyomingheart, I hope your summer is turning out to be a wonderful one. As to the cats, they have a love/hate relationship. One minute snuggled together, then a sudden spatt, before they settle down for another snooze.
DeleteWelcome back. Reading about Owl Wood makes me so happy. The swallows here are just beginning to flock; it won't be long and they will leave.
ReplyDeleteHello Joanne. I hope you feel refreshed and recharged after your holiday. Life rumbles on here. I have noticed that the geese are gathering in ever increasing numbers - they fly in huge and very noisy circles over our house and splash into the fish ponds - it won't be long before they leave until next year. It is all whizzing by too quickly.
DeleteGood to see you back and to hear about your summer. I especially love the photo of your "gang" on the owl wood walk.
ReplyDeleteSome days they barely acknowledge one another, next day they are one happy little family and make walks around Owl Wood great fun. Talking of fun, it used to be wonderful when we had our hens, they used to join in too! Quite a procession.
DeleteGorgeous photos and what a lovely summer you've had :D
ReplyDeleteThere have been ups and downs, but I decided to tease out the good bits and keep it light. I hope your summer is going well.
DeleteSo nice to see your post, Elaine. I have missed reading about your country life and owl wood. Lovely to see you have enjoyed your summer with family and friends and that the cats have been living the dream. :-)We, too, had swallows nest on our property this year again and three babes left the nest weeks ago. I miss them but enjoy the little wren that has taken up residence here and is now feeding her young. Nature is so beautiful. I have been watching for you on instagram. :-) Enjoy the rest of summer. Deb
ReplyDeleteWe had entertained a small hope that the place would appeal to a Barn Owl, but I am happy to settle for Swallows, Deb. It was a real pleasure to watch them and their babies. I hope you and your family are having a wonderful summer, enjoying your new home and all the delights of where you live.
DeleteA joy to read you are having a good summer.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I hope that life, up on that wonderful island of yours, is treating you well. I am slowly catching up on blogs - trouble is that it is such a busy time of year!!
DeleteWe have Swallows in our old Stables and some years, the hay barn too. This year only one pair arrived at first but were joined (much later) by others and I think they are on their 3rd brood now. I simply cannot imagine living anywhere that Swallows don't nest. Looking at the numbers (60 or so) on the power cable across the farmyard last week, they have all bred wonderfully, but there must have been several late arrivals as in April, there were only 3 Swallows back from Africa!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying your summer.
Our Swallows are part of a much larger flock, I usually see the rest of them on the far side of the village, which due to the topography of this place is just two fields away. Everyday they come over to our house for a visit and the air is filled with noise as they chat to each other. This summer is whizzing past at a rate of knots, I feel that I am constantly playing catch-up and never quite getting there. I will pop over for a read as soon as I have an opportunity - grandchildren and animals permitting!
DeleteA lovely post, Elaine. How lovely to have Swallows nesting. Where I volunteer, we have Swifts nesting. It's wonderful to see them swooping into the rafters.
ReplyDeleteYour pastry is so perfect, how do you do that? Mine is more organic looking!
Just a very simple shortcrust pastry - however, it was a very hot day, especially in the kitchen, Ann. The heat made the pastry very pliable(!) so once crimped it went straight into the fridge for half an hour before baking. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
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