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After much overnight rain, today was humid, overcast, and drizzly.
It seemed a good morning to visit Kitchen Makers in Sway. The Culinary Queen has been managing with a less than ideal cooking area since we moved here three years ago. Of the two local outlets, there are no prizes for guessing why this one should have taken the Head Gardener’s fancy as the first to investigate. An on-site visit has been arranged.
Afterwards we took a drive through the forest where even the swathes of heather and clumps of gorse could barely enliven
the gloom.
Now, does anyone really know whether cattle can predict rain? As a townie, I grew up believing that they always lay down when it was about to rain.
It seems this is now in doubt. Whatever the truth of the matter, it was clear to us that all the ponies we peered at through the drizzle remained on their feet, whereas the cows chewed the cud in a recumbent position. Anyone wishing to examine the issue may find why do cows lie down on Google helpful. On the other hand, they may not.
This evening we dined on chicken breasts wrapped in bacon, boiled potatoes and carrots, piquant cauliflower cheese, and spinach. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Chateauneuf du Pape.
If they couldn’t tell it was going to rain every day, late afternoon here in FL – they are a sorry bunch of cattle. The horses were probably just glad the rain gave them a rest from the insects.
Thanks a lot, GP. What a good point about the insects
I was brought up to believe that cows lie down to keep their spot dry. Makes sense to me. 😅 Beautiful photos, Derrick.
Many thanks, Sylvia
The heather and gorse are looking stunning.
Isn’t it funny the way the more some researchers find these “old wives’ tales” are wrong, the more others find that they are right. Lying cows is a case in point. They do tell the truth even when they’re lying! Although it is argued that it is related to cold rather than wet, the effect is the same.
Thanks very much, Leslie. Inconclusive, then 🙂
Having been a teenager on a dairy farm I don’t know about cows lying down in the rain, but I do know it was a lot harder to get out of bed in the early morning to milk the cows if it was raining!
What wonderful weather – I mean heather!
Two good jokes, Bruce. Many thanks
I’ve not heard this about cows before – maybe it just applies to UK cows 🙂 I read the bits offered via your link just out of curiosity and came away none the wiser…… The heather is very pretty, also not something we see here, though gorse is still a fairly common sight. I’m excited to think there is a new kitchen on the way for someone! I live vicariously 🙂
🙂 Thanks very much, Pauline
If only they could talk … but then again the debate would be nul if they could!
Moo and thank you, Osyth
Lovely pictures Derrick, especially the pink heather.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Love the blooming heather. Watching the cattle can tell you a thing or two about the weather forecast 🙂
Thanks very much, Inese
Mum used the Sway peeps twice for her kitchens and thought them great. So hopefully that helps…
That’s very encouraging, Geoff. Thanks a lot
Pretty fields and homely bovine–I like that contrast. But, then, many may find cows pretty, too…!
🙂 Many thanks, Cynthia
My grandmother used to tell me that cows laid down before rain moved in. The fields of heather are gorgeous!
Many thanks, Jill
Totally adored all your beautiful photos of the paddocks of heather, wonderful….
Many thanks, Ivor
I don’t know about cows, but when I was a child my father kept hens, and they always had a good scratch in the earth prior to a rainstorm.
Thanks a lot, Geoff
A normal Summers day in the New Forest perhaps?
I don’t know much about cattle but I’ve heard, and believe, that you can always tell which way the wind is blowing, by the direction they stand, or lay.
Always pointing/ facing away from the direction the wind is coming from; this apparently blows the dirt and dust away from their mouths and whatever they’re feeding on. Pretty clever if this is so don’t you think?
Animals are cleverer than we think. It is certainly a gloomy August this year. Thanks a lot, Brian
I’ve heard that here, too, about cows lying down when it’s going to rain. The heather is beautiful. Good luck with the kitchen site visit.
Many thanks, Merril. TanGental’s comment is encouraging. His mother used Kitchen Makers twice and thought they were great.
Are they susceptible to the cold? Just curious Derrick.
They are brought in from the forest in winter, so I imagine the must be. The ponies are left out all year. Thank you, Arlene
Beautiful, Derrick. I don’t mind the rain (I live in a rain forest). And I also heard that cows lie down if it’s going to rain, but have no idea if it’s true. 🙂
Thanks very much, Diane
Derrick, I’ve been reading your blog every morning for a while but the finesse of both words and images in your posts never fail to surprise me.
I suspect cows may have been gifted with certain facilities by Evolution not available to humans and Science is yet to figure out the process. We have had many cows, buffaloes, dogs and even a horse in our homestead and I can vouch for their quaint capabilities of sensing evil (both living and non-living), rains, gales and omens.
Very many thanks, Uma. Such praise from you is worth treasuring
I love the heather but the gorse isn’t a favourite here in Australia where it is a nasty invasive weed.
I have missed your posts while my paolsoren blog was being interned. But we are renewed in bigger and better form at https://abushietaleblog.wordpress.com
Ants are here considered to be relatively infallible but in the arid interior of Australia it is well known that cattle can smell water and will often stampede for miles if they are thirsty.
Many thanks Paol. Going off to the other blog now
I hear cows lie all the time; especially the males — that’s why they’re called “bulls.” 😀
🙂 Thanks a lot, Rose
It’s a bit like the Cumbrian forecasting technique. If you can see the Isle of Man it means it will rain soon. If you can’t see the Isle of Man it already is raining.
🙂 Many thanks, Quercus
Loved the question, and clicked on the link for some answers, but found them inconclusive. I grew up on a farm, and remember cows lying down, chewing their cuds, but sadly, never questioned ‘why’. I guess I missed an opportunity to observe them better! (maybe do a double-blind study!)
🙂 I think our generation will stick to what we grew up with. Thanks, Diane
Chateauneuf du Pape, right up my alley. And I grew up being told that cows played down prior to rain. Love this post.
Many thanks, Pamela
Oh, to have a drink with you after a walk through your garden. That would be a nice time.
It would, Steve. Thanks very much
I love the heather shots. We had that belief too about the cattle in Tunisia and India so it seems to be a widely shared belief and perhaps that gives it some substance. Like when they say it will rain when swallows fly low.
Thanks very much, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
Thank you for giving me my heather and cow fix Derrick 💛
I did think of you, Val 🙂 Thank you
Beautiful Heather…despite the weather!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Rob
The expanse of heather is gorgeous, Derrick!
Thanks a lot, Lavinia. It really is.
The fields of heather are directly out of an old English novel for me and even prettier than I imagined.
Thanks very much, Dinata