What My Weekend Looks Like

On Saturday, I went for my usual morning walk in the rain around the block. I really need to keep my fitness level up cos I’ve been chilling out too much for the past 2 weeks, recuperating. The swelling on my arm has gone down rapidly but it was still sore. I was in agony when I’d forgotten and used my right hand to pick up the kettle. That was why I’m still using the sling to remind me that I’m still mending :-).

Babe wasn’t feeling good, too. While he was resting, I checked out our potential neighbours. Number 10 was up for sale and for the past week, a steady flow of people have been passing through the door. It was quite daunting to find out who was going to live next to you. In fact, we were going to have 2 new neighbours cos Number 12 was already sold. The advantage of renting was that if you don’t like your neighbours, you can always leave. Lets hope we can tolerate each other cos I would like to stay here a little bit longer.

I could hear the traffic getting busier. Hmmm, it was the start of the football match and today was the first home game for the Sky Blues against cash-strapped Pompey. From the casa, I could hear the roar on the 3rd minute. Gosh, that was quick. Striker Eastwood's brace gave Coventry an opening-day Championship victory against beleaguered Portsmouth. Well done to the Welshman again when he made it 2-0 heading home Bell's cross from the right flank into the top corner. That was a good start to the team and fingers double-crossed they were able to maintain it.

On Sunday, after my usual morning walk, I’d a cheesy mushroom omelette for breakfast in the garden. It was bliss reading the Sunday papers listening to Steve Wright’s Sunday love songs on Radio 2. The sweet peas were flowering profusely and smelling gorgeous. The birds were taking turns on the feeder, without a care in the world. And Mr. Bushy Tail was eagerly waiting by the tree.

I could feel a nip in the air and it felt like Autumn. Don’t get me wrong. I'm still hoping that summer might make a come back but I could definitely feel the tiny changes in the season. The potatoes need harvesting, the salads have bolted, the blueberries picked and eaten on the spot. There was a new flush of colour, the tones of reds, oranges and pinks, signalling the final few weeks of summer.

But the sunflowers haven’t bloomed yet and the tomatoes were still growing. So I guess there were still plenty of weeks left for the weather to sort itself out. Hopefully late August and all of September will bring the sun out to ripen these tomatoes.

"Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,
Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;
Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing
Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn."
- Michelle L. Thieme, August's Crown

I'm not ready but summer is definitely moving away.  The swallows will be flying away to warmer climates and these sand martins in Brandon Marsh (photo above) have hatched another brood. We could see them using the sandcastle again. Ooh, more fluffy babies.

Butterflies were fluttering everywhere in the reserve. Babe was slowly stalking this beautiful Brimstone Butterfly which finally settled on the Himalayan Balsam. Various number of Brown Argus, Large Skipper, Small Copper, Small Heath, Common Blue, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell were also about. At the dipping pond, we observed this handsome Southern Hawker male trying to attach his claspers onto anything he landed on. Where have the ladies gone…

It was very quiet on the bird front. I bet the photographers were struggling to point the camera at anything interesting. Not us cos there were plenty of other ‘common’ things to keep us occupied. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the behaviour of these young Greylags below having a bath or whistling in the air.

And Ramadan has also arrived. 

Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. 2:185

It is a time of personal sacrifices, discipline, giving and lots of love.

To all Muslims, have a blessed and glorious Ramadan. Let's celebrate this Ramadan as our truly happy hours.