I knew it would end in alcohol . . .

This dead tree marks the boundary of our land with Next Door's.  It has been dieing all the time we've been here and we have long had it earmarked for fuel (but not wanting to spend £500 plus to have it taken down and logged.)  Now some branches have fallen off - but into Next Door's field, and the only working chainsaw we have is the plug in electric one (though that is marvellous for yard logging, including the trees we've just had felled at the top of the yard).  It's frustrating looking at those big old fallen branches and knowing we can't get them back home to cut up for the fire.

Today is not a good day.  I am p'd off because I can't go outside - even for a minute - because of the pollen.  I am coming off the steroids now so I daren't jeopardise that recovery.  There is SO MUCH to do outside too - in the garden mainly - and I can't even go and water round or look at how things are growing.  It's so frustrating and I'm climbing the walls.

Plus this is an "intrusion from the outside world" day - first of all my prescription was delivered, and I had to bring it in and unwrap it as my inhalers have to go in the fridge.  Then much hand-washing of course.  Also, Tam had to go to the PO to post something she had sold to America, so I quickly finished two letters I was writing, and got the letter (overseas) in an envelope, and then I put some books in a parcel with a letter to my dear friend in Dorset.  However, I had forgotten to print off the postage for them (which is what T always does) and so I was instantly wrong-footed by a stressed Tam - she worries about having to go out in the first place, as she fears bringing Covid-19 back to us.  

Then there was this week's greengrocery delivery - the ordering went well today, but my goodness, prices are up.  There was no Broccoli or Spring Greens, and 3 Lemons (got them this week!) were £1.20 - normally I could buy 10 for £1 there.  The Cauliflower was £1.50 too and carrots had gone up from 50p to 75p but I suppose that will be the way of it this year and until we are back to normal supplies - which could well be this time next year. Just as well we are growing as much ourselves as we can. Tam had to go and collect that and then it goes into quarantine, but I was low on apples so those are up and soaking in a bucket of soapy water and I won't eat them until all the others are eaten so they should be alright by then. Queue much handwashing and handcream again . . .

I got some of last year's Blackcurrants out of the freezer this morning and have them in the dehydrator, to go in with muesli.  I have also started off another lot of sprouting beans - this time some dried chick peas, so they will be a bit beefier than the Mung beans were.  Yesterday I got my Blackberry wine into the Demijohn and sat it on a warm windowsill, and the alchemy is working already.  Tam's beer (also in a demijohn) had Done Nothing in a warmish room, and we feared the yeast was dead, but Keith found the home-made heater he had made when he used to make beer regularly (his was just the open a tin and add water type though, not the mash and hops that Tam's kit used) and now the beer is bubbling away beautifully.  Phew.  Tam thought perhaps she had ruined it because the yeast was dead and would some frozen fresh yeast (discovered in a freezer recess) work?

Anyway, enjoy these photos from last week about this time, when I was still out walking (when probably I should have already been hiding from the pollen indoors, but I was helping Keith and Tam with the logging).

Primroses in the bank, and the view across the valley towards the Italianate tower of Pantglas.

Canada Geese on the top pond.

Looking across to Bannau Sir Gaer (aka Picws du - Black Mountain) the higher of these two end peaks of the Carmarthen Fan range.  The slightly lower one behind it is Waun Lefrith.  At the base of Picws du is the magical glacial lake of Llyn-y-Fan-Fach.

The colourful leaves of Shining Cranesbill (Geranium lucidum) in a bank.  

Views above and below looking up the valley.

Beautiful blossom on the Blackthorn - Blackthorn Winter still according to that, despite the heat we have had this past 10 days.

Finally, looking across our field to the back of our house.  Home.  Safety in a time of turmoil.

The alcohol was a glass of wine with our evening meal, and the promise of another later.  I have found somewhere lovely I can sit in the sun - by the only West-facing window in the house - in the Junk Room.  The window desperately needs cleaning though (job for tomorrow)  and I need to rearrange that window corner muchly so I can fit a comfortable seat there.  That's a job for the morning.  Then I can then look across at our top field, feel the sunshine, watch the wildlife and the heifers who are up there to calve, and enjoy my book or my hand-sewing and relax.