Friday 28th June - Thursday 25th July 2013

Every day between these dates has been hot & sunny. Broken last night by a little rain leaving the conditions still very muggy however.
We missed all the thunderstorms that threatened in recent days.
              
My month has been a mixture of stress, frustration, despair & losing the will to live over the building of the Observatory and replacement windows. Quality of workmanship 100%, but the administration/communication 0%. A three week contract dragged on for over three months and still we are in need of nine replacement panes of glass.
Observatory was completed last Saturday so the last few days have been spent having a good tidy up before visitors arrive today and the family picnic on Saturday.
The break in Wales to celebrate Lorna's birthday was put on hold and all other events planned were cancelled. Compensation looms.

Despite the hot conditions the garden is looking at its summer best with loads of Butterflies, Dragonflies, Damselflies, Moths, Birds and now two baby Squirrels.
Once visitors depart in ten days time I will commence using my blog with photographs on a daily basis.

Thursday 27th June 2013

A  warm sunny day but a dreadful evening. Wet and chilly.
                Builder laid blocks on footings. Just the floor infill now then hopefully next week fitters will arrive to erect the room.
                 Completed the edging project, just the slate to infill now, delivery due on Monday.
                 Bees very busy in the afternoon sun, good to see. Missing this year however are the leaf cutters.
Pictures 1 - 3 - Moths in trap last night.
       "      4 - 8 - Busy Bees.
       "           9 - Footings complete.

Wednesday 26th June 2013

A  stunning day, very warm. Almost hot.
Birdlife lost out today due to all the builder activity. Great to hear and see the Swifts busy again. Certainly spending more time flying over 479 this year.
Not experienced a year like it for Crows. Two young with parents are making the most incredible noise.
                            Builders made a good start on base of the Observatory. The most incredible amount of rubble was found. A coal seam was exposed, asbestos and all amounts of Victorian brickwork, china and tiles. 
Pictures 1 & 2 - Arrival of concrete.
       "             3 - Pouring concrete into the footings.
       "      4 & 5 - Squirrel on sunflower hearts feeder.

Tuesday 25th June 2013

A  beautiful day. Dry, warm and sun most of the day.
Out of the blue and without warning builders arrived at 11am to take down Useful Room. Talk about communication.
Spent day laying more lengths of edging. Ground rock hard making the job difficult.
                 Swifts busy again, spending more time flying over 479 so hoping for nesting results next year.
Picture 1 - Young Starling in the Swift nesting box.
   "   2 - 4 - Moths from last nights trap.
   "        5 - Bug spotted on a rose plant.
   "        6 - Edging project.

Monday 24th June 2013

Dry day with a little sun. Breezy, not really summer weather.
Day spent laying more lengths of lawn/border edging. About a quarter way through this project now.
Good evening for Moths but still nothing like previous years. The yellow Brimstone is a regular visitor. 
Brilliant to see a stag beetle in the wildlife area this afternoon. Was only reading up on beetles last night.
Young birds still busy feeding. Appears to be another brood of Starlings. The young Crows are causing a stir this year. At least three young being fed creating the most incredible noise.
Swifts not so busy today, just spotted two flying about at 6.30pm tonight.
                   What excitement this afternoon. In excess of 20 male/female coppers, 7 police vehicles, side gates and front doors being bashed open, peoples being handcuffed - no idea what it was about.
Picture 1 - Young Crow learning to fly.
    "  2 - 4 - Moths in last nights trap.
    "       5 - Stag Beetle.

Sunday 23rd June 2013

A  slightly better day, breezy, showers, bit of sun but mostly over               
                  Enjoyed a rooster breakfast at Lockay Farm with the family. Children enjoyed a round of farmyard crazy golf leaving us adults to catch up on family news.
Afternoon spent laying a few more lengths of lawn/border edging, really pleased how this is working out.

Saturday 22nd June 2013

Wet, cold and miserable.
Day spent in the workshop creating a cupboard unit to take all my photograph albums from my Brownie 127 days in the late fifties early sixties. Took longer than expected as could not help but look through these old albums. My word, my photographic record of London in that era is something else. From top of the Post Office Tower to outside No.10. It is all recorded.