JUNE > JULY ...

This weekend saw the move from one month to the next, we've left a wet June behind (which is in the running for the wettest June on record) and it seems we are in for more watering from on high for the start of July. This is causing concern around here regarding  the hay harvest, as the fields are ripe & ready for mowing ...>>> 

but without consecutive dry days, to lay, turn and then bale, it's not possible. Those with cattle can make silage but that's not needed for the hundreds of sheep, who are also awaiting getting sheared for the "summer". All the sheep currently grazing on the commons need gathering in before shearing can begin but the moorland is almost super saturated at the moment.

<<< This is the sight that met us yesterday, the ground was totally waterlogged, so much so that mallard ducks were taking flight as the dog splashed through the rushes (much to his surprise, we don't normally see ducks here).

The Lady's Bedstraw was almost drowning, and the Buttercups were looking more like Marsh Marigolds.

Thistles, in profusion were growing taller than me, that's one of my hazel walking sticks >>>

to give you an idea of the size. It was like a jungle of rushes and prickly thistles ... no good at all for the grazing of sheep!

And a strange looking lot some of them were too ... not our usual mountain Welsh.

But I was in for one more surprise later in the day, a Meadow Pipit's nest, with three beautifully hidden eggs we shall see what happens.