I'm not sure where September went but it's gone.
I've probably mentioned all the bits of weather folklore for October in previous years but here are three good ones.
The October plate has been out before because it was one I found at a boot sale in 2021 before finding the whole set at the beginning of this year.
Below is a lovely illustration of Kestrel from a print from my book "A Sparrow's Life as Sweet as Ours" by Carrie Akroyd. It's in the Autumn section of the book but Kestrels are around all year and very common. I think seen more often now than when I was little when we would get quite excited to see one hovering. In some parts of the country they are known as "windhovers". Now they can be spotted on almost any walk or drive. In the book it says their skill at hovering was tested and it was found they could hold their position within a centimetre for 28 seconds. They spot their prey - mainly mice and voles - because of being able to see the wavelength of ultraviolet and trace their urine trails.
Also according to the book, numbers of Kestrels have dropped since 1970 because of the use of poison for vermin and the decrease of rough pasture.
The October Parish Magazine arrived and I was interested to see the History Group is starting again. I found a phone number to ring when I moved here in May last year and the lady said she wasn't sure when the group would be re-starting after covid, the time has finally come. Then I noticed the date and it's on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and WI is on the 3rd Tuesday. The question is...........can I manage two consecutive evenings out? One evening a fortnight is usually my limit! It sounds interesting as the speaker is talking about Landguard Fort in Felixstowe which is a place I've not been too since it was sorted out and opened to the public fairly recently......... and I know someone who volunteers there.
October 2022 here will probably be forever know as the month of "having the builders in". I'm glad that I can shut the living room door and they've been good at keeping the bedroom door closed too, which has made it quieter. Plus they can put the materials, tools etc in and out of the bedroom window, which has saved having the front door open so much.
Those plates were such a good find. What a pity your groups don't meet during the day. I wouldn't be so keen on evening meetings during the dark winter months.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving getting out a new plate every month - don't regret the spend at all which is unusual for me!
DeleteI love the picture - do you know Gérard Manley Hopkins' brilliant poem "The Windhover"?
ReplyDeletePart of the poem is included in the book but it's not one I know. I should have found out and included it here
DeleteTwo consecutive nights out? Yeah, you'll cope with all that excitement! The History group sounds good. Ours has just started up again too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Kestrels could see in ultraviolet and thus trace small rodents. They must be about in Wales, but I've only seen a handful in all the time we've been here. The main predators are Red Kites and Buzzards.
Glad that the builders are aware of keeping the noise levels and dust down and can use the window to get tools in and out.
According to the book there are now more Buzzards than Kestrels but not round here in my opinion
DeleteBet the builders are pleased this job is in a bungalow and not a two story house. I wonder how often they get to use a ground floor window and not be up and down stairs (or even a ladder to utilise an upstairs window).
ReplyDeleteI have visions of grown men singing that song little ones sing - “in and out the windows” - as they pass bits and pieces through the window😊
Being in a bungalow certainly saves them some energy!
DeleteLore galore ! I like these sayings you give us
ReplyDeleteI've got so many books of folklore and weather rhymes - nice to share them
DeleteWhen I walked the coastal paths around Cornwall, I used to see Kestrels regularly, hovering in high winds above the bracken and gorse. It always amazed me how they kept their position, even though I was often buffeted and unbalanced on the path. Beautiful birds.
ReplyDeleteNearly always see one around the fields here or over in the graveyard
DeleteWith a quiet night the one before and an equally quiet one the night after you should be able to manage two evenings out. Well, it's worth a go anyway for a couple of months.
ReplyDeleteI love the little October arrangement, where did September go, it just whizzed by.
I'm not used to going far at night nowadays - never have been really. At least I can walk to both
DeleteSounds like the builders are very accommodating. Hope they work quickly too.
ReplyDeleteI hope they are speedy - don't want them here too long
DeleteYour history group sounds interesting -- I'm glad it's starting up again. I so love your October plate and the beautiful picture of the kestrel. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt's taken a long time for the history group to get going after covid - don't know why
DeleteInteresting and visually pleasing post for 1st October-thank you. We really need to have our family bathroom replaced as it’s shabby but I truly cannot be bothered. A steam clean and a bit of bleach and I know it’s spotless which is what matters. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have bothered with the new ensuite if it hadn't had a macerator and pump system
DeleteWonderful folklore carries on, tried and true. Soaring birds are wonderful to watch as they hunt their prey. Your builders sound outstanding. Keeping noise and dust to a minimum as well as minimizing the cold air entering your home shows great care and consideration. You chose your builders well.
ReplyDeleteI hope they carry on being careful with the way they work - I'm making them tea and coffee to encourage!
DeleteThe year seems to be going by so fast. Perhaps you can go to both events and then earmark the following day for a long sleep-in? I often find I now need a "day off" after doing something that never used to tire me but does now - must be getting old!! :)
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how September flew by so quickly. I'm never able to have a lie in as I usually wake by 7 - except in the depths of winter - and laying around in bed gives me back ache
DeleteI think you would enjoy going to both evening meetings. Rest up the day before and the day after.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I'd really like to do both as I've been looking forward to the history group starting
DeleteI definitely vote for attending the history event and the WI. Maybe someone nearby will be attending and can give you a ride or company if it is walking distance. Alternatively, if it is the first meeting and they seek feedback from potential members, maybe another night would work well for all.
ReplyDeleteI love that you found the other plates in that set! I found books 2-4 in a series at a library sale yesterday and wasted quite a bit of time wondering if book 1 was misplaced somewhere; eventually gave up. This is a book sale where I once found one of my OWN books with my initials inside that I had loaned to a (careless) friend. I try never to miss it after that experience - who knows what I might find?!
I like what you wrote about October. We heard alot of birds 🐦 when we left Denny's restaurant after lunch. Quite the noise. We have birds in our tree. A few go in the rhododendron bush then fly away when I drive to work or shopping. I think there are keastral 🐦 is USA as well. I need to get fall items put as well. I like the pumpkin 🎃 spice I got last Wednesday. 😋 enjoy your meetings.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of you and your building project. Two nights out in a row? Oh dear. Sue is running wild!
ReplyDeleteLovely post. I love the Kestrel illustration. That book is on my wish list!
ReplyDeleteMum and I went to Languard Fort a couple of times. We found it really interesting. There is a lovely wild area to walk by there too and a lovely little cafe to stop at for cake! We also took the small ferry a couple of times from there to Shotley and Harwich.