Day 42

We this is supposed to be the number that holds all the answers but unfortunately I haven’t achieved enlightenment yet. However, the weather was a whole lot better than the previous couple of walks although to some extent I did strike it lucky in getting out between showers. It was dry, warm and there was a fabulous blue sky. What a change.

 

I didn’t spot any interesting little things to take pictures of but I did notice that the cow parsley was in full flower. This is an absolute menace in the garden with a tough easily broken tap root that is almost impossible to get out. But it is a quintessential part of the Irish summer flora and as such can’t be all evil.

The pine cones are developing quite nicely at this point. Tree fruits and flowers are something you just tend to ignore unless you are being particularly observant but I think they are interesting looking things.

Deeper into the forest, the ground was relatively dry and for once I didn’t end up soaked to the hips from tramping through undergrowth. At this time of years, gaiters don’t quite cut it but I’d rather have wet trousers than deal with waterproof trousers. The bluebells are beginning to get a bit bedraggled – probably here because there is a bit too much cover but I do believe that they are slowly managing to colonize the resting place.

The path down past this bit is starting to flood again a bit after the last couple of weeks’ worth of heavy showers but I guess it won’t be long going back down if we get a couple of dry days. Nothing worth worrying about with my boots anyway.

We had a grand lunchtime walk and the dogs were pretty exhausted after their exercise. Just the thing to clear the head for an afternoon’s work.