Change within miles

How lucky we are to live between the moors and the sea. Sometimes we feel in a bubble of our own microclimate. A short drive and everything can be different. 

A strengthening wind
And unsettled sky 
Grey mist intermittent over the moor
A short distance South 
To where land meets the sea 
Over the hill 
The sea comes to view
The colours transformed 
Cerulean and green
Sparkling in the distance 
We rounded the lane 
Drove down to the familiar beach again.
The difference so great 
Clear skies and wide views 
Start Bay at its best  
How quickly things change.

Beesands

This week in the garden

This week some highs and lows: fantastic crop of strawberries from sun and rain coming at the right times. Spinach and chard being harvested as are lettuces. Roses are flowering well . The main border is looking really good. I am amazed at how well the hedges are protecting from the strong winds this week . Even the acers are doing well protected from the foliage on our neighbour’s trees, something not afforded in the winter.The tomatoes are doing well about to be pinched out – flowering well.

The lows: near total loss of cavello nero overnight ( slugs or rabbits ). I have sent for replacements as this kale is a mainstay in winter. The sweet peas were sourced late and struggling. Any sunflowers put out near walls have succumbed to snails. Those in other parts of the garden are doing well.

The chickens: got rid of the Blue Orpington cockerel to a new home . Reorganised and didn’t want a brood then hatching buff and blue mixtures of just cockerels like last year . Suddenly saw a local ad for Buff Orpington pullets. Then of course realised all old arks are in a state of disrepair. So my husband spent two days remaking one . By this time I had purchased two buffs and ( for the first time ) a rather striking grey maran x hybrid for winter eggs! All sorted and settled although the broody is not impressed being shut out all day as her duties are not required.

Running with the Wind

It plays tricks in the lane
Like galleons in full sail
Trees high on the banks
Sound like rain
Cocooned between banks 
Is like the trough of the wave 
With every gate passed 
Another blast from the side 
The out run is fast 
Wind on the back 
With every turn there’s a change 
Debris strewn
Picking my way 
Wind in my hair 
Soughing of trees
Then roaring again  
Deep in the valley 
The shelter there
Stillness is held 
I can hear myself
Climb to the ridge
Meet it head on 
Air sucked from breath 
Big skies 
Reveal
High building cloud 
Towering above
A line of grey 
Intensity growing 
Another turn 
Wind in the hair
I’m flying again.

Faith

Trust in the things we cannot see
Injection of self belief 
Confidence to take
    A 
      step 
           and                                     
               Move       
from our comfort zone
To take a leap unknown
Resolve to leave things for
     Another 
            Day.
Courage to ask for help
Wisdom to know that
That we need to worry only about the
Things of today
Tomorrow takes care of itself
Acceptance when we get things wrong
Recognition of infallibility
And human limitations
Understanding that these
      abstract 
               nouns
Are as intangible as the words suggest
To unpick and define
As the complexities of the temporal lobe 
Limited by cerebral cortex
Faith is when
We hope in a better tomorrow
Faith comes from trust 
In love given from above.








Waiting for thunder

They forecast thunder:
Looking above 
Marbled sky ever changing 
Sweeping like the dementors 
Of Harry Potter fame. 
A stirring overhead, 
Silent and heavy; 
A world in waiting 
Subtle changes 
Building cloud then dissipating
Heavy sporadic drops of rain
From no apparent source.
Enough to release the intoxicating smell of spores released from the earth.
The orange sky against intense grey- layers of smoke grey 
Bubbling clouds with cauliflower
Edges;
A Spielberg sky 
Intimidating 
Mesmerising 
Forces of nature
With
Strength building 
Into the night.
We’re still waiting
They forecast thunder.