The summer that never was...

We are enjoying a dry (ish) week for the first time since the end of June. July and August have been amongst the worst I can remember, not for total quantities of rain but for the fact that it rained at some time nearly every day. Winter forage for sheep and cattle is in short supply - there is no hay in this area because of the continual rain and silage is alo scarce. The cold wet spring followed by a dry June led to grass going to seed rather than bulking up - let's hope we do not get a winter like the last one. The schools have gone back and swallows are starting to assemble on the wires in preparation for departure - a sure and unmistakeable sign that Autumn is upon us - a time of year I personally always find rather sad.