We are longing for rain here and we British are not accustomed to making such statements about the weather, on the contrary we’re usually characterised by carrying our umbrellas everywhere and complaining about it being too wet. It has however been so very hot and dry here for the last month and with no rain in the forecast for the next few weeks we are longing for a torrential downpour, though even a light shower would be most welcome. The land is utterly parched and out in the woods the leaves have crisped, turned yellow and fallen, the blackberries are already ripening in the hedgerows and acorns are already well on the way to dropping – as though autumn has already arrived. My pictures in the previous post of the countryside in June now prompt me to feel nostalgic for the green and lush growth that we had throughout the Spring. Everything is now baked dry, bleached out and wizened by the sun and the seasons seem to be all out of kilter. Though on a positive note there have been some amazing sunsets recently.
We’re now half way through Toby’s long summer break from college and we have fallen into a comfortable routine. In the mornings he chooses to stay in bed with his breakfast on a tray and his musical books and duplo to play with. Once he decides to get up he and I head off for a 2-3 mile walk and a picnic lunch. It’s lovely spending time with him outdoors – he loves being outside and is usually at his best, especially when we have a quiet walk and don’t encounter many people or dogs. It’s a nice time together and we’ve mainly walked near to lakes and rivers where it’s a still green and is a little cooler.
I had a couple of objectives to work on with him this summer and those are going well. Firstly I wanted to get him used to carrying his own rucksack with his snack and water bottle inside, that way my backpack isn’t as laden and heavy and I don’t get so worn out at the end of our walks. That has gone really well and he’s now completely used to carrying his own supplies in his backpack – something I’ll be so grateful for in the winter when he’ll also be able to carrying the layers of clothing that he always removes on our winter walks.
My second objective is to get him to choose when to take off his ear defenders and hat without needing to be prompted. He always wears them whenever we go out anywhere as they help him cope with sensory overload, which he frequently struggles with and which often freezes him to the spot or results in a meltdown. When it is quiet and calm (with no barking dogs or human noise) he is relaxed enough to do without them and it’s nice to see him coping without them for at least part of our daily walks.
Thirdly I’m trying to get him used to me stopping to take pictures of things. This is something that has always distressed him and so up to now it’s something I’ve not often done. But being able to take pictures will make our walks more fulfilling and enjoyable for me and so with my eye on future life after college when he’ll be my constant walking companion I’ve decided to start what will probably be a long process, so far with mixed results, though as you can see I have managed to get a few pictures on our recent walks.
On the knitting front there’s not much to show, my fingers get all fat and fumbly in the hot weather but in between looking after Toby’s every need I am slowly working on small versions of some of my animal patterns and also on some sweaters, coats and cardis for the smaller 7 inch sized animals. Once Toby is back into his term time routine in September I’ll be free to step up the pace on these patterns and will keep you posted here.
Hopefully see you again soonish, ’til then be well and happy x
little cotton rabbits 
Hope all 3 of your goals are successful, I’m sure they will be with your patience and understanding. Enjoy the rest of the Summer and I look forward to your new patterns in the future 😬
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Awe I’m glad you and Toby are enjoying summer together.
I could send you some rain and take some of your sunshine if you wish!
V x
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Enjoyed reading your blog, Julie. Precious times with your Toby. In East Sussex we are about to start a hosepipe ban and it is usually too hot to walk the dogs until the evening . Whenever you publish some clothes patterns for the smaller animals, I shall be in the queue to make them . Enjoy the rest of the English summer
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Always enjoy your blog and lovely pictures. I completely understand your longing for rain. This is crazy weather for the UK. I live in California and we have been in mostly severe drought conditions for the past 7 years as a result of climate change. Apart from the heat every summer some parts of California have to deal with forest fires while in the Eastern US, the state of Kentucky has had devastating floods with many lives lost. It’s heart breaking. I now have started watering our garden with grey water from the washing machine. I have bought a biodegrade-able detergent and the plants haven’t shown too much distress. Like you our trees are shedding crispy leaves and a few acorns have already begun to fall. Meanwhile the days are still quite hot. Glad you have made progress in your goals for Toby and hope that he continues to adjust to new things. Your patterns continue to be my favorite, so detailed and beautifully thought out. Thank you so much for sharing g your giftedness with the knitting world.
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Dear Julie,
Wow, you weren’t kidding, cracked dry earth! In Washington state we had buckets of rain for weeks and now we are having a dry hot spell. Plants and forests are having a hard time but not as bad as you. One down side of all our rain was a massive growth of everything and now dry and ripe for fires. can’t seem to win.
I was so pleased to see Toby out with you and no ear defenders. That is an accomplishment. Good work on all your goals. Thank you for these photos, as always. Susan
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Thank you again Julie for your beautiful photos and excellent blog. I always look forward to your posts.
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Thank you for sharing you lovely photographs. I love the swans and miss seeing white swans. I am living in Australia now, originally from the UK but moved here in 1975. It used to be a surprise to see a black swan when I was younger but now we have many black swans but no white. I think we may be getting all of your rain here. but we mustn’t complain water is precious wherever you live. I have a daughter who lives in the UK and she told me the blackberries were ready to eat where she walks, how delicious fresh blackberries picked from the bush. We have some wonderful beautiful sunsets and sunrises and I never get tired of seeing them. Nature is marvellous. Your pictures have brought back many memories and I love the Acorns too. Thank you for sharing. Kindest regards Mooi
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I always read but rarely comment, but this time I’ve an idea : would it be possible to give Toby a polaroid for the walks, so that he also takes pictures too and understand your passion ? It’s the only way to have imediate picture of something (I think it’s needed, not to wait for result), and I remember it was so much fun when you’re a kid. But I don’t know if there are some Polaroid that don’t risk much if they’re not carefully manipulated, and maybe it’s something you already tried.
Ground is very dry in France too, and this week some little villages don’t have enough running water.
I thank you for sharing your walks, I live in a big town and can’t go out often.
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Your photos really capture how parched the countryside is right now. I’m just back from a week in North Wales, where it is still fairly green, but back at home it is just as you portray. Lovely to see pictures of Toby, he is looking very grown up. I’m glad he is making good progress with the goals for the summer break. So nice that you have such lovely places to walk near you as well, it looks particularly gorgeous by the water. CJ xx
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Toby is so grown up. I hope he soon will be able to meet those goals you’ve set. Your photos are lovely and I’ll be wishing for rain for you as well. We are in the 20th year of drought here and the dust in the air is terrible. My vegetable garden is so sad this year too. I’m knitting the dungarees and will look forward to your newest patterns whenever that my be😊
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I’m always delighted to see your posts. Wishing you well in your goals for Toby! Carrying his own backpack is a great idea; I can imagine the relief to your own back! Such enjoyable pictures, as always. We are both of us praying for rain, I as well as you, here in dry, dry California!
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Glad you are able to spend some precious time together outside and that sometimes Toby is able to take off his ear defenders. You are amazing 🙂 Best wishes with all the objectives.
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We are suffering from lack of rain here in Oklahoma too. We have had dibs and dabs but not enough to keep the trees from loosing their leaves. Enjoy seeing the nature in your area from your walks. Thanks for all the wonderful little animals and clothes for them. My grandkids love them.
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I would send you rain if that were only possible – we had 5 months worth in a week recently!!! Highways were closed due to flooding, flights cancelled, and crops destroyed. On the positive side it was excellent weather for staying indoors and knitting. I hope your weather cools down and the rain comes soon, and keep enjoying your walks with Toby.
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Thank you for sharing your lovely photos (I’m glad you can get at least a few on your walks with Toby) and your ups and downs with your handsome son. I hope you get some rain soon.
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I always love your posts; thank you for doing them.
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