Thursday 2 July 2015

Summer, Foals and Flowers in July




On Tuesday, we had Summer - really hot and humid; too hot to sit outside for long so Zac and I alternated between a patch of shade in the garden and the cool of home, with windows and doors open to create cooling breezes. 
On Wednesday, I had an appointment with an optician in a town a few miles away, so with blue, blue skies foretelling of another hot day, I set off in my car.
Well, I never found out what caused it, but before long, I caught up to the tail end of a long, long traffic hold-up and several miles were spent in second gear, alternating with being completely stationary. I began to panic slightly that I would be late for my appointment even though I had allowed plenty of time to locate the place.  I was also relieved that I had left Zac at home, as things were getting quite warm (an understatement!) in the car. So pleased I was dressed in light clothing . . . . 














But eventually, I made it with a few minutes to spare - phew!!
I guess I was in there for about 80 minutes and just before I was
ready to leave, there was an almighty thunderclap and the lights 
went out for a few seconds.  Then there was a heavy downpour 
of rain which lasted for about 10 minutes - and that was that!

So I stepped out and headed for the car park . . . and before I had gone 100 yards, got completely drenched, soaked to the skin, literally.  Did you know that cotton T-shirts go transparent when wet?  Not a good look in the middle of a busy town centre, but luckily, everyone else had their heads down as they dashed for shelter.
After collapsing wetly into my car, I used a dog towel (clean, luckily!) to dry my hair and drape across my shoulders, then started on the journey home.
This was the view through the windscreen.





























Later, after a hot shower and change of clothing, Zac and I went for a walk.  It was once again very warm and humid and this little band of ponies on the Moor were dozing in the heat.






















But look closer -

Do you see the foals?

























This one is probably only a day or two old -






















but he knows what to do when he's hungry or thirsty, bless'im.






















An older foal with a star on his forehead. He's the one shown lying under his mother in the third photo.























So after a circular walk around this particular patch of the Moor, Zac and I returned home, where I took these photos in the late evening.








15 comments:

  1. Gorgeous pink astrantia.
    Isn't it amazing how quickly the weather can change. It was a very common happening in France but not so much here.

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    1. It certainly caught me out yesterday, Elizabeth; I should have known better than to go without a jacket, shouldn't I? (I had one in the car . . . . )

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  2. Beautiful photos today. You have a most lovely garden. The last pink flower is so interesting.
    But best of all you have horses and foals. Wonderful !

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. I have that astrantia in brown, cream and pink, soon to be going to seed. Aren't those foals lovely? That new foal looks like a bag of bones when he's lying down, but he'll fill out soon, I'm sure. Love to see them all wobbly on their spindly legs!

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  3. The ponies look as if they have given into the weather and are just lying around saving their energy. It was a good job you got soaked through after visiting the opticians rather than before!

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    1. Oh no!! I hadn't thought of that; I wouldn't have dared gone in to see the optician in that state.

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  4. The weather certainly has been unusual of late hasn't it!! Your garden is beautiful!! xx

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  5. Thanks Amy, I do love my garden and I'm glad that I can show it to at least a few people by putting photos on my blog.

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  6. Beautiful pictures of the foals and horses. Your garden is looking lovely too. Thanks for coming to visit my blog - it seems strange to find a new comment on a post that is two years old! Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Well, I had to go back and find my comment . . . and realise what happened. I had read your latest post, then clicked on one of the recommended posts underneath, not realising it was 2 years old! Doh!!!

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    3. Thanks for your comment on my blog - I posted a reply - not sure whether you will automatically see it! x

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  7. your rain, was the same rain, we had yesterday. it came down in buckets i tell you. not fun to be out in but if you are home, it's wonderful!!! the house gets dark, you bake food in your pj's and you listen to the awesome sound of the rain hitting the windows. i love it!!

    sweet, sweet foals....your garden looks amazing. working it that, sure would scuff up those hands ;)

    and have you heard.....you won the wet tee shirt contest :) ;)

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  8. Good morning! Your gardens are beautifully full and lovely. I recognize so many things from my own garden beds here in the southern region of the U.S. Zac is adorable. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment I look forward to visiting with you.

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  9. Love the photos of the foals. The weather is so unpredictable at the moment, you never know what to wear, (will avoid t.shirts thought just in case :) )

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Thank you for showing an interest in my blog. I do appreciate your comments.