A Better Day, Sunday 17.8.08

I was up in reasonable time today, but tired as I'd stayed up to watch the women's marathon in the early hours. Paula Radcliffe didn't get a medal but with a just mended stress fracture, that's hardly surprising. Roll on 2012. The other Brit, Mara, came 6th, an amazing effort. Today has been a brilliant day for Team UK. Medals galore and I gather we're 3rd in the medal table. Fantastic. It just goes to show how much things have improved financially with injections from the Lottery to help with training and facilities. The effect is just beginning to show. About time too. Hurrah for Ben Ainslie and the 'wet' team and to the cyclists. We even won a bronze in the pommel horse in gymnastics! The first ever.

I took Buster for our woodland walk as the sun was actually making an effort to shine. It was pretty windy and unlike the other day when the lake was as smooth as glass, today it was more like the seaside. The waves lapped against the banks with an amazing din. Buster wondered what on earth it was. I've tried to capture the difference:













A touch of sun on the choppy water












Proper Waves..
It was wonderful to see the sun shine for a change. It seems ages since I felt its warmth. The wood looked quite different at times, lighter and welcoming.

Lovely little patches of sun





































Even the bench looked more cheerful in the brighter light












I hadn't noticed these 3 trees growing out of what appears to be a rock!





















The reflection of the bull rushes was all broken up, unlike the other day when it was a mirror image:














These 'floral reflections' are also broken up, I like this photo. Normally the loose strife would be on dry land



When K and Rach were here, they took some excellent photos of a red boat, wrecked on the edge of the lake. Look where it is now! It took me some time to find it:


















The big beautiful rocks are all under water.




There are definite signs of Autumn arriving.







The oak trees' leaves are just beginning to turn:










I decided to try a different path, thinking it might take me down to the lake another way.

It ended up turning into a stream!




































I did, however, discover this amazing grotto. It looked like something from the American everglades:












Ripening berries and a lone bilberry left on a bush:































Now this was quite funny. Most of the bilberries have gone, either to the birds or human passers by. I really fancied eating this one as I hadn't had breakfast and my mouth watered. Just as I picked it, Buster charged up to me and knocked it out of my hand. I had no chance of finding it amongst the dead leaves! Now I really needed one and spent the next 10 minutes searching the naked bushes. Finally, I found another and it was the best bilberry I've ever tasted. I even managed to find one for Buster, who ate it, as he does anything vaguely edible, but looked a bit confused as the bitter sweet taste kicked in.

As I walked back along the path, the sky blackened and I felt a few drops of rain. Here we go again.




There was still enough blue to make a sailor a pair of trousers though!




I took one shot of some moss which seems to have 'fingers' and another of the bright yellow fungi, which I couldn't resist:


























Finally, this wood is part of a walk called the 'East Clare Way'. Jim is walking it bit by bit. Here is the sign:







Now I promise to go somewhere different to take photos or you're all going to get really bored!




I must just show you this photo. Yesterday, Buster suddenly got all upset and I didn't realise why at first. He kept going to the snug door. Then I thought he was probably looking for Jim. Jim's little office is above my temporary one and is up a loft ladder and doesn't have a door, so he could hear his voice. Jim peered down and talked to Buster, then the 2 cats, who sleep up there, popped their heads over the edge to see what was happening! They don't like to miss anything.

Sandy's head is a bit whitened out with the flash, but I took it in a hurry. I love their shadows on the ceiling.















Jim made a lovely dinner tonight, chicken en croute with home grown potatoes, runner beans and peas. Then home grown redcurrant and apple crumble for pud. Delicious.