It really is the wettest month

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Monthly rain this year (re our Weather Station). Today it's still wet, but the sort of rain that doesn't settle in the rain gauge.

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Wet wet wet

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We may still be in thrall to a Hosepipe Ban, but I'm not having to resort to buckets to water the plants.

Yesterday we had an inch of rain, and today it's almost one and a half inches (and it's still raining to it could be more by midnight - zero hour).

Click on the link on the left to keep up to date on our Weather Page.
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No one said it would be easy

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Busy day - get on top of all the paperwork and clear some space (on the desk and in my head) for the weekend.
A stack of envelopes - cheques enclosed - ready to post (for those suppliers who don't do Online).
Quick job before I start supper - print some helpful signs for guests (car park/toilet etc) and laminate some Farm Walk maps I printed last week.
Low ink warning. Carry on. No ink message.
Never mind, I'll start the laminating.
Cheap laminator (worked perfectly for years) starts to eat the paper and pouches, and then refuses to work at all.
Hardly any paper left to reprint.
I blame the Office Consumables Manager.

Thank goodness for the Internet - paper, ink and laminator ordered.
Start again tomorrow.

Virtual vs Actual Reality

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In my minds eye I have this vision.

It's a hot sunny day (but not too hot).
I'm drifting round the paddock in a long floaty summer dress, wearing a straw hat decorated with fresh flowers.
People are sitting around on the closely mown grass sipping cooling drinks, or sheltering in the shade of the marquee.

But my minds eye is starting to let me down.

It's raining. The forecast is more rain. The grass is growing and it's too wet to cut. The marquee is still at a Country Fair and too wet to take down.

The solution - use the barn - still in pristine condition after the Grayrigg Barbecue (see earlier post)

Don't worry . . .

. . . . about the weather, if you're coming to our party - we've got all eventualities covered.
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In the next day or two a gang of willing (I think) volunteers will be erecting a marquee in the Paddock. Not only will it keep the rain off the festivities, but also keep the hot sun of the chilled wine when the weather changes.

Counting down

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Almost sorted - there's more crossed off on my list than uncrossed.
And if it's not already done, it's scheduled for a day next week.
The alcoholic drinks are in the shower.
The soft drinks are coming via a "home delivery" tomorrow.
The "Wedding Cake" is made - just waiting for someone more artistic than me to decorate.
Afternoon Tea cakes are chosen and my volunteers are making them next week.
Beds made up.
Most rooms dusted (no point doing the kitchen till the day - re dusty old Aga).
Caterers confirmed - salads and more importantly puddings, chosen.
Band confirmed (I think . . . . )
Marquee floor collected - marquee itself scheduled for next Tuesday.
Balloons and bunting ready for able bodied volunteers to blow up and hang.
Mower and strimmer on standby for a final whizz round.
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And Henry has finished off the right hand side of the steps - it may look a bit new now, but will soon weather to match the rest. No time to lay any blocks - just a quick leveling off with the digger to be done.

Porch Watch - the never ending story

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Not looking as smug this time round - more worn out and weary - our blackbird is sitting on her third clutch.
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