Honeysuckle

The sweet smell of wild honeysuckle is now in evidence in the hedgerows being particularly strong at night as it is pollinated by moths.

Fields of Barley

Midsummer and the crops are growing but not yet ripening to golden brown . This field of barley near Uley with its distinctive long ears looks healthy.
Barley is used for animal fodder and malted to make beer.  We are not sure if our local Uley bitter is in fact made from local barley but it would be nice to think so.

Summer Sunset

We are a few days past the solstice but a last a proper midsummer sunset!

Summer Solstice

Yesterday was the longest day of the year and the sun set at its most northerly point. It is lovely to enjoy the long evenings and we enjoyed a long walk in the sunshine but the sky had turned cloudier as the sun set and the weather continues to be unsettled.

Moles

 Moles are normally solitary creatures rarely seen above ground so we were surprised to see this one running up our lane.
We think it was a young mole looking to set up a territory and when we approached it stuck its head in the ground and remained still as if it thought it could not be seen.
Quite soon it tunnelled under the grass and left a line of molehills up the path!

Coot nest

It must be time to leave the nest!
This coot's nest on an unrestored section of the Stroudwater Navigation seems a bit crowded.

Summer evening

After watching Springwatch yesterday we decided on an evening stroll.  It was magical as the last of the sunset shone in the sky and the waxing moon was coming up.

We called past a Badger's set and saw five Badgers going about their business until they got wind of us and disappeared underground.

Avocets Nesting

 The avocet is a recent addition to the breeding birds of Gloucestershire and we were delighted to see three pairs of wild avocets nesting at  WWT Slimbridge yesterday.

Fields of Buttercups

It seems a good year for buttercups with the fields around our cottage golden with their blooms. They are somewhat invasive in gardens but a pretty sight anyway.

Mint Tea

For the first time we have tried freshly made Mint tea. Why haven't we done this before? It is delicious. Our Mint is outside the back door so it is handy for gathering and all you need to do is give it a quick wash under the tap and then put some leaves in a cup and pour on boiling water. After a few minutes infusion we usually give it a stir and then remove the leaves and enjoy the wonderful aromas.

Do try it too...

Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic flowers are at their peak now like a carpet of snow under the trees.
The flowers are edible with a strong garlic flavour and make an excellent garnish or can be just nibbled as you walk in the woods.