Siamo in Toscana?

No, we’re not in Tuscany, but it sure feels like it with the sun beating down, the grasshoppers scraping and buzzing in the dried grass, and brown fields shimmering in the heat haze.  Sheep and cattle shelter under the hedges, and dogs lie panting in shady patches.  Strenuous outdoor activity has been suspended, and even the tractor has been overheating during the annual thistle topping.  We’ve had so little rain that we may need to bring cattle back down from the common if the springs dry up and start feeding them their (supposedly for) winter hay.  Our swallows have finally produced young, having made several nests and fossicked about for many weeks … perhaps there were not enough insects around to feed hungry mouths earlier in the year.

It's been a year of sublime to ridiculous - too cold and lots of snow, too wet and drenching rain, now too dry.  The track into 7 Acres was blocked with two feet of the white stuff several months ago, and now has two inches of fine dust that kicks up into a cloud as Neddy charges through.  The past few weeks have been busy, as shearing, hay-making and TB-testing all collided.  At least the puppies are almost house trained … almost.

It’s too hot to type, so some pictorial updates…

Shearing.

Contented neighbours - back when the grass was still green.

Ann leads the way as the cattle move up to Common Field.

New Zealand?  Nope, just the dust-bowl that is our yard.

Square bales of hay - ideal for stacking in the sheds...

...or for Harry to get a jump on his sister...

...who is innocence personified.

First apples in the garden.

Daily watering required...but it's been a good year for pots!

Lawrence gets to grips with the quad.

Ned takes advantage of Oli...

...and Cathy (that dog is a shameless strumpet).

Second Stockman Ian's father adds more chaos to the four-footed gang.

A rare cool morning - time to run around and have fun.