25 May 2009
RAIN GETTING CLOSER?
Yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far. I heard talk of nigh on 25 or 26 degrees. The weather watchers amongst us were speaking of thunder storms this afternoon. It’s gone three o’clock and as yet we’ve had none. But it is close, or humid, and has been very warm in the sun. From this position on the old park bench amongst my collection of fruit trees I’d say, on looking up, that cloud cover was presently ninety-nine per cent. Electrical downpours are more expected in July, but some fireworks may yet come. I hope so!
SWARM LATEST
The swarm refused Ali’s made to measure and spring cleaned hive. She told me that they’d upped sticks and were last seen late this morning, assembled as a globular column above their roof and heading towards St James Park. Apparently that’s one of the fascinating uncertainties of beekeeping; the fact that you’re dealing with a body of wild animals which may or may not respond as you’d like them to.
Shortly after she told me this news I got the binoculars and scanned blooming strigs of pale green sycamore blossom on a youthful tree which is growing up as partner to the giant lime. Don’t let the tree snobs tell you the sycamore has no wildlife value because it most definitely does. I watched more than a few white tailed bumblebees working amongst the flowers, and a hornet too. A massive orange wasp collecting pollen – fantastic!
RAMBLERS & RHUBARB RUSTLERS
7pm. David says he can feel rain coming in. It’s certainly fresher down the allotments than it is on the street. But do you know what, by 22.30 it still hadn’t come.
More folk than usual have been walking amongst the plots today. I agree with David – it’s not acceptable to just wander round wherever you like, especially not with dogs off leads. Brian also told me he’d had some rhubarb nicked last night.
There is a public footpath which passes through along the top. But signage is poor and overgrown. I said I’d cut the vegetation where there is a faded notice and come the Annual Meeting in October we can tell Shaftesbury Town Council what’s going on and ask them to sort it. We are just tenants, after all. We could find veggies stolen or damage done as a consequence of speaking out.
David said the Council should deal with the problem because we rent the allotments off them and although it aint much, we pay a price.
Other things noted:
- Cuckoo spit on willowherb growing from the edge of Mrs Nails’ shed by the Lobjoits Green Cos amongst Brussels sprouts. And
Tags: bee, black knapweed, brussels sprout, bumblebee, butterfly, cuckoo spit, elder, hornet, lettuce, rain, rhubarb, swarm