Ears akimbo

It was warm enough on our walk for Bean to have a plunge in the weed-strewn pond on S&N's property. 

She came out covered in the stuff, then had a vigorous roll in the paddock to get it off, only for it to be replaced by bits of hay and seeds. Her next stop was to rub herself all over those reliable stuff-getter-offers - Mima's legs. 

I dripped my way around the rest of our walk. But as long as Bean was happy...

The morning was spent in K's garden, starting to get to grips with the late summer clear-up. Yes, it is definitely that time, with many summer herbaceous flowers past their best and needing to be tidied away to the compost heap. 

I also discovered that one of the (laden) apple trees needed picking because the birds and wasps were feasting, so I harvested all the unblemished fruit. 

R was alarmed to be presented with a large bucket of apples (he is no cook, and rarely eats fruit or veg) so I came home with them all. My own young apple trees aren't exactly weighed down this year, so I am delighted to have received this bounty.

I shall eat some fresh and dehydrate most of the rest. They are tangily sweet and crunchy with very white flesh and red / yellow skin. I have no idea of the variety.

The Guardian is at last reporting the protests against Trump et al in the USA. I don't understand why it has taken them more than a week to do so...