Today’s guest picture comes from my sister Mary who enjoyed a spell of good weather in the Lake District last week. It shows Grasmere.
We had a bit of good weather here today but only a bit and fortunately it came just at the time that Dropscone and I were out on the morning run. The wind was both light and exactly in the right direction as we went round the traditional morning circuit. The powers that be have resurfaced a section of the main road just outside the town and the result was a splendidly smooth start to our ride.
Further round the circuit, the council bodgers have been out and pretty well all the potholes on the back roads have been patched so all in all we had a good day and our time, the quickest I have done for ages, reflected this. We enjoyed our scones with some strawberry jam as we drank our coffee afterwards.
There was a spot of rain just as we finished the ride but it cleared away and I got the middle lawn mowed. Then Mrs Tootlepedal got some hedges clipped while I wasted the good weather indoors while making some sour dough bread.
By the time I had finished, the best of the day was gone, the wind had risen sharply and the rain started to pour down after lunch. Sandy and I had planned to get out with our cameras in the afternoon but we had to stay in and put a week of the newspaper index into the database instead. Fortunately there was a very interesting stage of the Tour de France to watch as well so we weren’t too depressed by the rain outside.
I didn’t take a single picture until 5 o’clock and that was only to try to give an impression of the wind.
Then suddenly the rain eased off and a flood of sodden birds hit the feeder.
We had an influx of sparrows.
There are a lot of young sparrows about and they have no better manners than the siskins.
Fortunately, it was time for music to brighten up the day.
First my flute pupil Luke arrived and showed his usual steady progress and then, after tea, I went off to play trios with Mike and Isabel. Although we weren’t in our finest form having missed a couple of weeks, we still managed to enjoy ourselves. I resolved to try to practise regularly over the next week.
Considering how much I go an about the value of practice to Luke, you would think that some of my advice might have rubbed off on me but I am easily distracted and never have been able to apply myself as I should.
The forecast for tomorrow is much better but at least I found a flying sparrow in the gloom today.
Tootlepedal's Blog 
Poor guy he’s soaked! But the shot is valid for the ending! 🙂
It summed up the afternoon.
At least you got a bike ride in. I love your sister’s photo of the lake.
We were lucky to pick the right moment for our ride.
The birds do look a little damp.
Sometimes the rain seems to run off them and sometimes it seems to stick. There must be a reason but I don’t know what it is.
Lovely Grasmere looks idyllic and serene. The sodden and bickering birds, on the other hand, look neither of those things!
True on both counts.
Great pics, love the sparrows and really like the colorful boats
I try to get the best guest pictures that I can. My family are very helpful.
I hate to say this, but your sister’s photo is the best from today, although your birds were amusing as always.
I agree about Mary’s photo. It was absolutely gorgeous.
I was struck by Mary’s picture when she sent them to me. You chose a good one. Glad you had a pleasant ride and that the much maligned strawberry jam was eaten.
That photo of the lake and boats looks like something off a postcard or from a tourist book!
I always enjoy how you capture your bickering birds. It’s almost as good as being there in person!
My sisters take very good pictures. I will have to try hard to keep up with them.
Those poor wet birds! I hope Mrs T’s garden wasn’t damaged too much in the squally wind.
We got off quite lightly in the end although she was a bit worried as the wind blew.
Glad you managed your ride in fine weather and that the road surface has improved. Enjoyed the pictures of the sodden birds. No sparrows in my garden these days.
Love the boat pics! That would make a peaceful picture above a couch.
… or anywhere. 🙂 Love all the color.
I agree.
Wonderful shots of wet birds. And the boat photo is so serene and relaxing. Ahhhhhhh.
It is a picture as they say. My sister chose the right few days to be in the Lake District.
Beautiful pictures and the second last is so cute. Feeding, fighting or kissing?
Fighting in a childish way.
I’m glad you got your cycling in before the rain. The saying goe, we teach the best the things we most need to learn 🙂
Very true. My mother used to say in like manner that the faults we see in others are those most noticeable in ourselves.