Knowing that hosepipe bans were to be imposed on Hampshire and the Isle of White today, we were relieved to learn that bans were determined by the water companies. Our supplier is Bournemouth Water, which has not yet ordered a ban. I celebrated with
a gallery of garden views.
Flo and Dillon continued clearing, planting, and watering this afternoon.
Jackie drove me to Lymington to buy more photographic printing paper, then to take a short forest drive.
The anonymous craftswoman who decorates the postbox on Pilley Hill has
produced a theme for our friend, Jessie.
Everywhere bracken is browning; heather is purpling; blackberries are ripening early, like these along Norley Wood Road.
Cattle were in no hurry as they ambled nonchalantly along Sowley Lane. Drivers had the choice of moseying in their wake, passing along the parched rock-hard verge, or simply waiting patiently. These were very big, thudding animals. I rather hoped they wouldn’t tread on my sandalled feet.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent cottage pie topped with fried potatoes; tender spring greens and green beans, and crunchy carrots, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden, Dillon drank water, and I drank more of the Syrah.