Flutterby Patch

A wet weekend

We've just had the busiest holiday weekend of the year. It's known as August Bank Holiday and thousands of visitors flock to the Lake District for the weekend to walk in the hills, sail on the lakes and generally marvel at the beautiful scenery.

I'm fortunate enough to live in the area full time so am able to appreciate it in all weathers.

As people started arriving here on Friday afternoon I looked at the gathering storm clouds and hoped the visitors had packed their waterproofs.

We try to avoid travelling on the motorway at busy times but needed to visit my son on Friday afternoon and so joined the holiday traffic on our return journey.

Our drive north was trouble free but we pitied the people on the southbound carriageway as a caravan had blown over and the tailback of stationary traffic stretched back for miles.

As we got closer to the Lake District the skies grew ever darker and raindrops splashed the windscreen. Not a good sign!

Time for us to leave the motorway...this is our junction coming up.

Lose speed as you approach the roundabout, turn left and head towards the lakes....don't like the look of that sky!

Finally the ominous clouds burst

and any distant views of Lakeland disappear completely.

All weekend the wind howled and rained lashed against the window panes and so we spent the time sheltering indoors...our very own little ark.

When I drew back my curtains this morning I was greeted by this rainbow (but there were no doves or olive branches anywhere to be seen!).

If you spent this weekend holidaying in the Lake District I apologise for our dreadful weather. Do return again soon as it really is a beautiful place....when you can see it!

Until next time,
Eli

Tasha Tudor remembered

Tasha Tudor's art and New England lifestyle touched many millions of lives over several decades. Sadly the sweet lady passed away in 2008 and now every year on the date of her birth (28th August) bloggers around the world unite to celebrate her life and work.

The fruitful season is now upon us and so it's time to make plans for the winter months ahead. To fill our pantries and cupboards with jams and jellies, pickles, potatoes and plump apples.

Tasha Tudor's life was ruled by the seasons and her books and painting have always played an important part in my own life. This sweet picture from her book 'Take Joy' expresses just the way I am feeling today.

And so on this 'Tasha Tudor Day' 2009 I shall pick the apples from our little orchard and lay them away for the winter

and doubtless be tempted to taste a few along the way.

Wishing you all a happy and fruitful Tasha Tudor Day.

Until next time,
Eli

Fly away home

Here at Flutterby Patch in England's north country the days are growing shorter and the nights are a little colder and so we think the time has come for our much travelled blog-trotting sheep to return home.

Three of our most colourful butterflies are sunning themselves in the early morning sunshine in preparation for a very long journey.

And very soon they leave their sunny spot with instructions to fly to New Zealand where Chalky, Charcoal and Rose have been visiting their cousin. Hopefully the intrepid trio will have packed their things and be ready and waiting when the butterflies arrive to collect them. No more rough sea crossings or hazardous aerial flights for our brave flock, the butterflies will carry the sheep safely back to Flutterby Patch.

And sure enough the sheep are waiting for them. After each woolly animal is firmly attached to a butterfly's harness they are ready to leave.

Chalky is the first to depart and Charcoal quickly follows.

Poor Rose is understandably nervous and closes her eyes as her butterfly ascends.

She refuses to open them during the long journey home.

The three butterflies carry the sheep over many continents and oceans before Charcoal suddenly spots a welcome sight. Descending through the clouds a familiar English landscape comes into view. A patchwork of sunny fields and shady copses. Nearly there, just a little further to go.

And then Chalky calls excitedly to the others as their much loved land of misty mountains and sparkling lakes appears over the horizon. It was good to be back safe and sound.

Welcome home Chalky, Charcoal and Rose.
Your blog-trotting adventures are over at last.

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THE END
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I should like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the lovely bloggers and their sheep around the world who have invited the flutterby flock to visit them over the past few weeks. It's been great fun. 'Around the World in 10 blogs' can be found in the Flutterby Patch sidebar.

Finally a BIG THANK YOU to everyone (children included) who have avidly followed the adventures of the three woolly friends as they have journeyed round the world of blogs. Your many kind comments have been much appreciated.

Until next time,
Eli

PS. I confess the title of this post 'Fly Away Home' was inspired by the film of the same name. It's one of my all time favourites!