This morning I took Rick along Barff Lane for his early walk. Far away in Australia Sarah and her partner, Chris, had just completed a long hike along the coast from Sydney to Manly. Worlds apart.
Kat has good days and bad days. Today she is feeling a bit down. Trying to find a comfortable position to sleep is very difficult. The postman has been delivering to the house on a daily basis. A V-shaped pillow, two jigsaw puzzles, a back scratcher, a pair of slippers (for Paul!), a light weight sling, and today - a wedge shape pillow.
Yesterday we tried to eat lunch outside but an invasion of thrips (thunder bugs) drove us indoors. In the evening we tried drinks on the terrace. But we got hit by a rain shower. The thrips are still around today, probably blowing off the fields, so we have retreated indoors this afternoon.
I picked some plums this morning. Unfortunately, although Paul sprayed them earlier in the year, the fruits seem to have been invaded by the plum moth again. It’s not noticeable until you cut (or bite!) into the fruit and see the small wriggly caterpillar waving at you. Plum wine may not happen after all this year.
Good luck with the pillow and helping with sleep comfort tonight for Kat. It looks like a work of art. I am envious of Sarah in Australia. No thunder bugs here today. I remember plagues of them once. They can be irritating and itchy.
ReplyDeleteSarah has been complaining of the cold, a chilly 13 degrees!
DeleteI got badly bitten by something yesterday and it is not even hot here in Yorkshire - just warm and cloudy - probably just good biting weather.
ReplyDeleteThunder bugs just irritate, they get everywhere. But something else has bitten my arms today.
DeleteThat beach photo made me sigh, it's so lovely. Lucky Sarah and Chris!
ReplyDeleteI hope Kat heals quickly and feels better. What a shame about the plum wine.
I think there are going to be a lot of plums going on the compost heap.
DeleteI always hated thunder bugs. I had forgotten about them.
ReplyDeleteHope Kat can find a comfortable position to sleep.
It's very hot here this evening so sleeping might be tricky for her. The new pillow might help.
DeleteLovely photos. Here in Bethlehem, PA, we are still cleaning up after the tropical storm flooded our house a couple of days ago. I am not familiar with your bugs/worms but we have our own varieties that are just as annoying.💖
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your house cleaned up okay. We don't get storms like that here.
DeleteFrom your blog title I thought you had been cycling uphill and downhill. I was prepared to be amazed! Hope Kat gets a better sleep tonight.
ReplyDeleteCycling's been put on hold at the moment, although we managed a ride out on Thursday. Kat did sleep better last night with her new wedge.
DeleteWalking among beautiful landscapes is the best. Worlds apart but equally beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Kat's pain is still ongoing. I'd be tempted to have a good shot of tequila. Hopefully the new pillow helps.
She certainly had a better night with the new pillow. Slo gin seems to help as well!
DeleteI find that the worm infested Plums tend to fall off, leaving a small amount of good ones to be picked. I have just done mine, and I now have about 6 bags of halved Plums in the freezer.
ReplyDeleteNearly every one I've picked so far has contained a resident caterpillar.
DeleteThat is SO ANNOYING.
DeletePlum moth maggot here too despite the moth trap. So annoying.
ReplyDeleteLast night was a really bad night for sleeping - poor Kat, it must be so uncomfortable
I don't think spraying the trees made any different whatsoever. Very disappointing because the plums look so lush from the outside.
DeleteI hope Kat heals soon.
ReplyDeleteSurely Kat might have ordered something suitable for you online - such as "The Greatest Hits of Little Jimmy Osmond" or a ten pack of "Park Drive". I'm just sayin'.
ReplyDeleteI'm more Jimi Hendrix than Jimmy Osmond.
DeleteGood to hear that Sue.
DeletePoor Kat, I do hope the new pillow helps her sleep.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame that in spite of all Paul's efforts your trees have the plum moth, it's obviously very difficult to eradicate.
It's forecast for high 30º's here again today, so the thought of 13º and chilly, is very appealing!
Kat has definitely been sleeping better with the wedge pillow. A good night's sleep makes such a difference.
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