A muddy good time

Over the years we've spent happy days, camping in a variety of tents, at Fleece Meadow, Kington, Herefordshire, on the banks of the babbling River Arrow. Last week we returned, only this time with all the comforts of our recently acquired caravan, arriving in some very welcome warm, sunshine, so that we were able to sit outside for a while. It was not to last though.

The following day (Friday) the rain returned, so visited the Dunkertons cider museum, buying a bottle of the medium dry, which we decided we preferred after testing one or two samples. Lunch in the car park was a rather elegant affair, as I'd plated it up. No squashed sandwiches and salad for us! We then went off to visit our friend Joyce, who lives in Knighton, within sight of Offa's Dyke. She celebrated her 80th birthday by going up in a hot-air balloon during the period when the skies were free from aircraft, due to the ash cloud. As a result the balloon was able to ascend much higher than usual - up to 9 1/2 thousand feet in fact.

And did it rain that night! By Saturday morning the babbling river had become a fast, muddy torrent, having risen about a foot. We were almost on the verge of calling off our visit to the annual Agricultural Show, but after our breakfast the skies began to clear a bit, so we set off to catch the free bus up to the showground. Fortunately we had gone well prepared, wearing walking boots and waterproofs. By mid-day we were wading in ankle deep, thick and sticky mud, which gradually turned wetter, deeper and sloppier. A bit like brown custard. Although I've always regretted that we've never been to Glastonbury, I think we have passed the mud test, having managed to make the best of a bad situation and, more importantly, to have remained upright. There were people slip sliding around all over the place. Fortunately, most of them were wearing wellies or boots, but we did spot some flip-flops (very soon to be lost in the mire, no doubt). The children, in particular, were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, due to the conditions, some of the events weren't able to take place, and there were various restrictions on the remainder. All the same, the rain held off and we enjoyed the friendly atmosphere, but left earlier than usual, catching the free bus back to Kington.

Sods law! The weather on Sunday was wonderful - warm and sunny. After a wasted 25 mile round trip trying to find a particular garden - which had been closed since the end of July (should have checked up first) we spent what was left of a lovely, late summer's day with a return visit to Hergest Croft Gardens. It won't be long before the gardens will be ablaze with the firey tints of autumn, but there were subtle splashes of colour from the cyclamen, colchicums, hydrangeas and japanese anemones. For a while we sat on a bench at the edge of the woodland, looking over the countryside and listening to the birds and the sheep. All very peaceful.

The kitchen garden was full of colourful flowers, and ripe apples hanging from the trees, all attracting a variety of butterflies. We spent some time taking photos. It seemed a shame that so many apples were just going to waste on the ground. Mmmmmm!

Our evening meal was very tasty - and a good job we brought along some custard!

Now we are home again I can see I will be busy, when the weather permits, tidying up the garden, emptying out and cleaning the greenhouse (just a few tomatoes and the chillies remain) and, of course, there will be plenty to do on the plot, which I have yet to visit since our return. Hopefully the courgette glut is coming to an end, although I suspect that we will find some have swollen to marrow size whilst we have been away. There's the last of the sweetcorn to enjoy, and more of the little squashes to harvest. I had one for my lunch - 4 to 5 minutes in the microwave, after scooping out the seeds and adding a knob of butter. Tasty.