First published on my typepad blog, August 1st 2023 . . .
Well, we’re half way through the long summer break here and have settled into a comfortable daily routine. Mornings are calm and quiet as happily Toby enjoys quite long lie-ins, so I usually have a couple of gentle hours to call my own, either reading or knitting and sometimes having breakfast in bed when the mood takes me. Once he is up we head out for a walk, usually walking around 3 miles and stopping for a picnic snack along the way. Toby is good company as a walking buddy, he so enjoys the peace and quiet of the countryside and looks all around him as we go along. He’s still not keen on me stopping to take photos of things but is getting gradually more tolerant, just as long as I’m quick.
It’s a wonderful thing to be able to share a love of nature and the outdoors with him, and our walks together are often the best part of the day. We’ve seen so much wildlife: lots of muntjac deer, a stoat, rabbits, buzzards, red kites, kestrels, storks, egrets and so very many insects, bees, dragonflies and butterflies, it’s been a great year for them and I’ve seen such a variety. It looks like being a good year for blackberries and hazelnuts too, with a bumper crop ripening in the hedgerows and we’ve seen a lot of early fungi too, doubtless sprouting well because of all of the rain we’ve had recently. Not that I’m complaining in any way, I’m so grateful this year for the cooler temperatures and wetter weather and so is the greenly verdant countryside.
There’s not much progress on anything knitting related at the moment. I’ve been knitting quite a few scarves from the ‘Sophie Scarf’ pattern by Petiteknit as it’s a beautifully simple and uncomplicated knit, perfect for picking up whenever I get the chance for a few rows and putting down again when Toby needs something. As far as my own pattern writing goes I do now have a cow pattern finalised, though still in the form of scribbled notes which need a lot of work once the next college term starts in September.
I hope you’ve had a good month and that August is kind to you, J x
little cotton rabbits 
What a perfect post for the first day of August. The photos have me longing for a better place than the one I’m in, and it shocks me because I love my backyard. What I wouldn’t give though . . . Your photographs are amazing. I love the little creatures. Thanks for your offerings, given freely with an invitation to everyone.
Be well.
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So glad you and Toby are enjoying your summer together. 🙂
Happy August Julie,
V x
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The pictures are beautiful. Thank you sharing them with us.
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Your photos are amazing and really show off nature at its best! It also proves that what I always say is true, in that you only have to open your eyes and you will see so much for free! A lovely blog post! 😁
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Thanks for another beautiful post, Julie. You take the best photos. How do you get such wonderful close ups? So glad that you and Toby are able to enjoy your morning nature rambles. Nature is healing and sublime.
I’m stuck in currently for various reasons, so I only get the view from my windows. It was nice to get out with you so to speak!
Love the knitting too. I think I need to start something simple for now – something I can pick up and drop when necessary.
Hope the rest of the summer is good for you and your family.
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Lots of lovely pictures, as ever. In Colorado, it’s been the rainiest year I can remember, which has helped many spring things to have a long season, although I’m not sure my tomato crop will be as big as usual. It’s been nice to have so many cool evenings.
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Lovely pictures of Toby, I’m glad you are enjoying your woodland walks together. Great to see that stripey caterpillar (cinnabar moth?) on the ragwort. I was just thinking the other day I used to see loads of them when I was little, now I almost never spot one. Also the red kite. I only ever see them when I’m in Wales and it’s always a treat. I love a bit of easy scarf knitting as well. I hope you have a lovely weekend. So good to see everything green again. CJ xx
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You have been on my mind, so glad to see your posting!! Have been thinking about you and praying for your summer, so glad to know that you are enjoying your time!!! Your photos are incredible-always love to look at the beauty you have captured!!! Love so much to see your postings!!! Sending hugs from US. ❤
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Your photographs are simply beautiful! I was pretty sure that was a “Sophie” in your first photo. I have the pattern and the yarn. Haven’t had the time yet to cast on. But, soon! VERY soon.
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