Even the weather man shrugged when asked about rain… nope, nothing. We have had our first drought restriction this week, in southern England banning hosepipes. It’s likely it will extend to us soon enough.
Everyone who is old enough casts their minds back to the drought year of 1976 and the hosepipes ban. We even had a Minister for Drought, Dennis Howell who did little beyond issue some hopeful platitudes. Eventually the drought broke and September 1976 was totally drenched. May that happen to us.
Oh and if you want some fabulous literature that is set in that 1976 summer you need look no farther than
It’s a terrific coming of age comedy…. Now who wrote that…?
Oh yes…
ME!
Enough of the self -promotion.
And the garden?
One year ago it was this…
Today…
I was up early on Saturday. The Vet has a place in the London Marathon in October, running for the vet charity she works for, the PDSA. It will be her first marathon. She has always loved running but over the years has suffered several fitness issues. However she’s now running free and so the Thames something half marathon at Richmond she entered was a good test of how her training was going.
As her hubby was revising I said I’d act as driver and waterboy. I chatted to the marshalls and clapped as the runners came past. I held dogs leads and moved some cones.
The fastest men came in, the top three getting a medal and a medallion. I was just wondering how the Vet would do when, blow me, there she was coming up the closing straight.
First woman home. A personal best of 1 hour 37 minutes. I think her training is going well…
Proud dad?
And some…
TanGental 
😀 Is there nothing your family can’t do!!! Brilliant, well done Ms Vet 🙂
Browned grass is a sign of a good summer (temporarily ignoring global warming/drought issues …)
I think I will get your book out to re-live 76!
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Yes let’s take the positives. Be interesting to see Lords remains verdant.
And isn’t she a star?
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Wow, bummer on the grass. Is there a native grass that would hold water better (although I suspect the cost of replacing a lawn that size would be astronomical).
And Congrats 🍾 on your vicarious half-marathon win! It’s always so gratifying when you can be part of your child’s endeavors. And what a great time! I doubt I could finish a half marathon now!
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I can do the distance if I walk but running… I think not. Happy to let the talent appear elsewhere. As for the grasses, we added a lot of clover which is why there is at least some green tinge compared to pure lawns. I think adding Bermuda is the next step…
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Agree, Geoff, I can walk all day, but the pavement pounding of a run is no longer my cup of tea. ☕️
So much of our lawn is clover because we live in the woods. Not as stunning as the pelt of green you have there but all we can manage under the circumstances. I’ve not heard of Bermuda grass…
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You’ll see it mostly on Southern US golf courses, not the greens but the fairways – is there a more environmentally disastrous sport than golf, I wonder?
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I doubt it.
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Three cheers for the Vet X
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Thought you of all would approve. It’s going to give her a lot of confidence for the big one..
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Ugh.
I feel your pain Geoff about our yards. Calif has managed to create drought conditions for the past 5+ years and my back lawn is a dessert themed sea of dandelions and gasping redwood trees.
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It’s harsh to see so much brutalised but onwards to whatever we have coming…
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Wow, congratulations to the Vet. That is within the parameters of elite female athletes!
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I wouldn’t want to boast… who am I kidding?
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It’s those genes you gave her all those years ago!
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Hand me downs…. yes, this new generation don’t appreciate the benefits of a well made pair of genes
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No, they all want holey ones!
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Well done that girl 💜💜
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We’re both pretty chuffed
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I bet you are.
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Brilliant! Well done! and I can’t imagine whose daughter she is!
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She is handsome isn’t she?,
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Proud dad for good reason. I’ve had the book on my kindle for ages. Once I finish a certain other tale I’ll have to pull it out. We all need rain for sure.
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I think we maybe be beyond prayers and into snivelling begging territory
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That works too.
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Congrats to your lovely daughter!! Love the picture of the two of you. Sad to see the garden suffering but it will come back soon, as the rains will no doubt return with a vengeance.
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Yes here’s hoping for some relief from the heat not that we have it that bad if one I being honest. And yes that pic is rather lovely..
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Wow, congrats to your daughter, Geoff. And what a difference the heat made. Your pictures show it so clearly. I hope you are getting more rain again (like usual).
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Nope not a drop. And nothing on the horizon except more temperatures above 30. Still we aren’t having it as bad as so many
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It is crazy to hear that. So, although we live a lot more south, we got more water and (at least a little) lower temps. As you said, it could be much worse.
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But then you also get loads of snow, unlike us!!
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We will see. Not as much anymore as we used to. But the weather is acting crazy and you never know, whether it is going to be a hard winter or again one without any snow at all.
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I so sorry to hear that the drought continues, Geoff. Your poor lawn and garden. And love the race pics! The smiles are contagious. 🙂
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They do rather reveal the state of grace on Saturday. Quite a wow moment!
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Droughts are the worst. We’ve had one for about three years now. Hope that rain does come soon!
Congrats Proud Dad!
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Yes I’m sure they will pour out soon. And I am rather pleased Arent I
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Excellent time, no wonder you both look so chuffed. The Vet’s an inspiration to get more people out there doing it. I always found doing a pre-race before the big race a confidence booster. I love the challenge of doing a half marathon.
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You’re better than me Suzanne. I’m living this one vicariously. She’s flying right now as she has some evidence that things are on track.
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Thanks, Geoff. Us walkers/runners can’t possibly do it without our wonderful supporters.
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Wow! A personal best and the first woman home. It doesn’t get much better than seeing your child happy.
Quite the cover shot on your book. Can you show me something in the dead fly department?
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Yes I must own to a lot of grinning .
As for Dead Flies… we do have quite a range for the discerning buyer …
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Congratulations to the Vet! Do you know, I have very clear memories of the Summer of 76, but strangely I have no recollection of the wash-out September.
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Me neither, just the documentaries. Mind you, by then I was back in Bristol for my second year and my memories of Bristol are that it must have been rain forest in its recent past, minus the accompanying heat; shoot, that place was cold and wet!
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I’d have been in Durham on jury duty! Particularly remembering that a5 the moment because I’ve just been called again for what seems the umpteenth time.
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Never been asked! Admittedly for fifteen years or so Solicitors couldn’t be asked but those rules changed ages ago. They probably think I’m a soft touch… though that implies you’re some sort of Hanging Anabel!
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Ha ha! When I did it in Durham I was called for a fixed 2 weeks and all the courts used the same pool of jurors for all the trials in that period. So I was on 3 juries. Curious, is that the system, for England generally? Here you are called to one specific court and, pre-covid, had to spend ages hanging around to see if you were picked, or indeed, if the trial even went ahead. So although I’ve been called several times, I’ve only been on a jury once. At least now they tell you by phone the night before if you have been picked and only then do you have to go in. I still can’t plan anything for about a week though, just in case.
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That sounds similar to those who I know have been called. Lots of hanging about for sure.
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There must be a better way!
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Many congratulations to the Vet! 😀
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Thanks she’s v chufffed
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You should be a very proud dad! Your grass looks like most lawns.
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We had this transparent stuff fall from the sky today. Apparently Google says it’s rain but these days is a rare visitor to England
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Hahaha!
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