Looking outside from outside

After yesterday's carousing I was reluctant to get up too early, but then had to rush my breakfast before heading off to a field meeting with the South Lincolnshire Flora Group at Long Hollow near Ropsley. Much cooler weather was ideal for botanising, and we had a very interesting day with  time to chat and socialise, as well as carrying out the primary objective of recording the vice-county's flora.

After the group had dispersed I carried on recording in a few of the nearby villages. The first I visited was Braceby, which, although very attractive, had a rather sinister air under the brooding clouds that had welled up over the course of the afternoon. There wasn't a soul to be seen - it almost felt as though everyone had walked away and abandoned it. This building also had a rather neglected air and it was rather perturbing to look through the cobwebbed window to see the white flowers of hogweed on the other side.

I arrived home just before dinner to find that Chris and Lizzy had been to view a house for the second time (having first visited yesterday) and are planning to put in an offer. Great excitement, accompanied by a slight feeling of trepidation...