The beginning of the end . . . .

. . . . . of summer.

This glorious much heralded "barbecue summer" is nearly over. Name tapes are being sown into boys' clothes, uniforms checked to see if they still fit (6 weeks is a long time in the growth of young boys), plans made for "early nights" and lunch boxes dug out of school bags.

On Wednesday it's back to school for Elliot and Robert, and it's the first day at school for Chris. And not forgetting it's back to school for Michelle tomorrow. Back in July we all had so many plans of what we would do in the long hot days, but somehow they never materialised. Maybe next year.

But the real beginning of the end of summer happens tonight - when the milk cow stay inside for the first time. It's not so much that there isn't enough grass, but that the ground is so very wet and puddly (I think "poached" is the correct terminology).

It's Grayrigg Show on Thursday. This was cancelled at the last minute last year, because of the state of the field. And this year it's no better, but rather than cancel again, it's being moved to Kendal Auction Mart. At least we'll be under cover.