In a bid to fight the annual Summer Overwhelm and pretend that I've not been full of cold, full of hay fever, full of weirdly erratic hormones and full of not sleeping well, I've been turning my back on indoor life whenever possible and spending time outside. The house, my studio, work related stuff and anything that requires me to apply my barely functioning, sleep-deprived brain cells has been neglected and I am trying not to worry about it too much.
Rain or shine, I find such calm in being outside surrounded by nature and I am so so thankful that I can leave the house/Attic to run on neglect for short periods while I try and look after my own well being.
J and I have been tramping familiar paths in all weathers....
....pottering around in the grey of warm, muggy afternoons. We've been making the most of these last few weeks of the term when we have a small number of child and work free hours to spend together. It's been lovely and very much appreciated by me I can tell you.
I've continued my evening outings with Little B too, as and when he's been willing to join me.
These photos were taken last week, around 8pm on Wednesday evening when we took a stroll up the farm track and into the woods.
The light was so beautiful at that time of day.....
....with dancing shadows.....
....and glowing sunbeams.
The following evening we decided to make a picnic dinner and take it to Bolton Abbey which is something I wish we could do more often. It takes a certain amount of forward planning, but it's still possible to be fairly spontaneous with it when the weather looks promising. I marinated some butterflied chicken breasts (olive oil, wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, honey, mustard) then cooked them on a hot griddle pan until they were seared and cooked through, then left them to cool. I also boiled up some baby Jersey Royal potatoes then tossed them in a little butter, heavily seasoned them and left them to cool too. I packed up some crusty French bread and tortilla crisps with an avocado dip, and a big bowl of easy finger-eating salad (baby plum tomatoes, baby cucumbers, carrot and pepper sticks). What else? Hmm yes, some easy finger fruit (strawberries, cherries and watermelon chunks) and some chocolate biscuits to finish. I made up a big bottle of elderflower cordial and honestly, it was so summery and delicious, and I wish I had taken more photos to share with you. Actually I took lots of lovely summery photos of the Little People, it was one of those precious evenings that you don't want to end.
Today there was very little shine at all but the rain didn't stop us getting out and about.
We walked through Strid Wood at Bolton Abbey this afternoon, enjoying the sound of the rain drops as they fell heavily onto the leaves above our head.
The scent of damp earth and abundant greenery was lush, and helped me to feel like my head was clearing a little for the first time in ages.
Ahhhh, raindrops on a blade of grass....such simple beauty, but oh so worth stopping for.
After a quick coffee, we drove home over the moors and I was absolutely blown away by the sight of this field right next to the road. I asked J to pull into the lane so that I could take a closer look. I wanted to find out what kind of flower was growing in such abundance.......
......oh, hello Foxgloves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I honestly don't think I have ever in my entire life seen so many growing in one place, they stole my breath clean away!
They looked spectacular en masse and I just stood there at the edge of the road with my mouth hanging open in wonder. Amazing.
Right now the rain has stopped and the evening is warm and clear, and I am thinking about sitting down quietly to do something soothing. Maybe knit a few more rows of my seascape socks, or crochet up a few more rows of the Yarndale stripes I'm working on. I finished the first one and am now onto number two and I'm so enjoying the simplicity of it....I'll show you more of that tomorrow I think.
See you soon! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Your vivid descriptions make me feel like I am there. I can even smell the woodsy aroma, the chicken, too.
Posted by: Kathryn Ashe | July 01, 2019 at 10:41 PM
I love reading your blog, it reminds me so much of my childhood. Your family are so lucky to have such a beautiful person that you obviously are. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Judith Dee | July 01, 2019 at 10:12 PM
Beautiful pictures. Never have I seen so many foxgloves together.
Posted by: Charlotte. | July 01, 2019 at 10:07 PM
Oh golly, I am so with you, weird hormones, unable to sleep past 5.30am and a to-do list longer than Christmas! (My hayfever was tree pollen, so although it lasted forever, it’s finally gone) Hang in there, nature is my tonic too, so precious at this time of year xx
Posted by: Georgie | July 01, 2019 at 10:00 PM
Beautiful,takecare x
Posted by: Jacqui | July 01, 2019 at 09:52 PM
I saw a field of foxgloves just like this on the back road to Ilkley Moor from Burley in Wharfedale. So beautiful!
Posted by: Dawn Williams | July 01, 2019 at 08:57 PM
That field full of foxgloves is absolutely astounding!
Posted by: Su | July 01, 2019 at 08:49 PM
My eldest used to call them glovefoxes when he was little!
Posted by: Caz | July 01, 2019 at 08:48 PM
Lucy...I really love all your blog posts...you live in a really lovely part of the country..by the looks of your lovely photos...reading this blog makes me feel so calm and serene...well done x
Posted by: Donna Kennedy | July 01, 2019 at 08:44 PM
Lovely blog, thank you for sharing. Really appreciate the cooling forest and rain shots as it is well over 40 degrees here. Still it will only be 38 later tonight...or so they say! I use a hot water bottle filled with cold water and frozen. Wrap in pillowcase etc..take to bed. Genius. Hope the hormones, hay fever and flu all go away quickly. 😊😊❤️
Posted by: Susan | July 01, 2019 at 08:05 PM
Wow! The foxgloves are fantastic! Maybe a throw to follow??
Posted by: Claire | July 01, 2019 at 08:04 PM