Yes we are, we're having a heatwave in May! Unheard of!

Friday we did a lot of dashing around and errands, (half of which either were not fulfilled, or were, and then turned out to be unnecessary, which is frustrating, but good for the soul, no doubt) Saturday kind of disappeared, and before we knew it, we were off for our night hike. No pictures, typically  (why can't I remember to take pictures?)

H and myself and three of my Girlguides set out for Stonehenge, but unfortunately one of the girls had had a tough week, and was just too tired - she took advantage of a lift home before we began. We had already pitched our tents at our county campsite, 5 miles away, and a 10.52pm, there was a beeping sound which set us off on our walk across country to be reunited with them!

It was the most beautiful night, two of the girls walked in t-shirts, the other one and myself just in lightweight sweatshirts, the walk took us two hours, with three stops along the way to complete challenges. We were in our tents by 1.00am, and up again by 6.00am to pack up, eat a bacon roll, drink a welcome cup of coffee and head for home!

Well I will admit Sunday School was a challenge this morning, but our lovely pastor preached a good message, so I was not drowsy in the main meeting! However, after lunch it was straight to bed for me, and H, and we only re-emerged for our evening service! Another glorious sunny evening, and so nice for all the children  (with pastor's two there are seven, which for our tiny congregation of about 20, is not bad!) to be able to sit around in the sunshine afterwards and talk.

Home to find ants in the pantry  

Must admit I am ready to sleep in my own bed!

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Oh, it couldn't be better! The sun shone, the breeze blew - we started school on time and finished almost on time, and then got on with the business of the day.
Such a rare sight around here, I wish it were more common, but it's my one and only!

Yes, it's the beautiful quilt my sister in law made for our wedding day! H sighed and said, 'Oh it's just like being in Amish country ....' I wish! I'd love to have dozens of quilts to wash and line dry this time of year, but somehow can't find the time or talent to make them!
Now while I was out and about with my camera, I thought I would quickly snap this view from our side garden, whic I hope will become the orchard, it's the view to the front of our house, across the little lane we live in.
This somewhat supports the opinion, held by a dear friend of mine called Judy - and Buzzer if you ever happen to read this, do get in touch, as I've lost your email address! - that people pay vast amounts of money to buy old, cute houses, and then have to look at your dull, modern one, while you sit in your dull modern house, with the glorious view of their chocolate box one!
This is our little wild corner
just to the side of the chicken pen. I have high hopes of putting a secret hideaway in there, for the girls.

I did get a lot done in the garden today. The potatoes are coming up and I mulched all the gaps between rows with grass clippings - Neil just took on the garden of the thatched cottage across the way, so we get their lawn clippings too! - I planted two more rows of peas, one of dwarf beans and one of climbing beans. I also weeded the rows of peas that are already up, and put in twiggy sticks for them to grow up.
I also planted out the first bay of tomato plants in the polytunnel - boy that was hot work - and hauled a lot more pots into there - I'm going to have way too many plants for that polytunnel!

The girls spent the afternoon grooming ponies, as they have pony club tomorrow, and then we had a spectacular if slightly thrown together supper of sardines, on garlic toast, with bacon and red onion omlette, and warm mashed potato salad.

This time of year just makes my heart sing with the joy of all that we are blessed with. The potential bursts into life with the sweet smelling lilac and tender shoots of flowers. I do believe that times are going to be very, very hard indeed. That we will all be challenged, and that those of us who have known in our hearts for years that the Lord has led us into this lifestyle for a reason, will be challenged most - the temptation to give up, to lose focus, to just go with the flow, will be so tempting, like the drowsy sense of submission  felt by the drowning - but we must stay awake.

But for the moment, thank you Lord, for a beautiful world.

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Can you imagine, killing for rice? In Somalia, it's happening.

Please pray that they will be fed, both physically and spiritually, that they will find the Bread of Life.

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We had a little rain .....

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Well, times are getting harder and food prices are just getting higher.
I just read Deanna's rant/ramble about such things on her site, and I've got to say, we're no smarter than the US, we gave up our ability to feed ourselves years ago. In fact Government Ministers are on record as saying there is no point having a farming industry in this country, we can just import everything. Well duh. As long as it's there to be imported!
It's made me even more determined to dig in and dig for victory - our surplus for sale can wait, we need to learn to feed ourselves year round and efficiently.
Well, we have most of the brassicas in the seed bed - I have all my potatoes in, and some carrots and beets. I do not have enough peas in yet, and I am falling behind with other beans and such now as well, and I haven't even started my sweetcorn - we have had cold wet weather though, so I'm not too sad, as it wouldn't have germinated.
I now have the polytunnel up and in there will be a huge range of crops we'd never have dreamed of in 1945. My peppers are growing on well in pots, and most of my tomatoes, most especially Tibet Apple and Urbikany - Amish Paste and Cream Sorbet are looking a bit droopy. I have Aubergines growing on, and courgettes (yes, yes, zucchini to you, madam!) and I've just started my cucumbers - all these will need planting out in the tunnel soon.
And there do seem to be an awful lot of seeds left! Tomorrow had better be fine, we are itching to get out there and do our bit!

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