Red admiral feeding on ripe damsons in SIzergh orchard
 Sow thistle sparkling with raindrops Atlantic lows dominate the week's weather, with rain never far off. Downpours and moments of respite when sunlight sets raindrops sparkling, confers colour. Raindrops poised as if defying gravity, ephemeral. To slip and slide, to be lost.
This sow-thistle holds raindrops and, I think, looks particularly attractive when the sun illuminates its beetroot -red umbrellla-leaves. A few bees are nectaring amongst the drenched flowers of willow-herb.  Looking north approaching Queens Road A skyscape livid and brilliant, bruised and louring clouds etched with silvery light. A week of Atlantic lows with sudden downpours. A morning walk along Queens Road gave dramatic light. Turn you back on the road and there are vistas over pasture and old orchards, to the fells.
 Stair-rods during a downpour Rain came down in stair-rods. If I'd thought we might find some shelter beneath the trees I was mistaken. Waterproofs were useless, we were quickly drenched. Hail stones struck the water of the lake and pitted its surface in splashes. Veils of rain fell over the castle. We leaned against walls and tree-trunks but the rain penetrated. We might shelter in the stone gazebo at the end of the raised walk-way above the lawns. During moments of respite we sloshed through the grass around the lake and a up to the terrace with its herbaceous border and bunches of grapes, to the gazebo.
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AuthorJan Wiltshire is a nature writer living in Cumbria. She is currently bringing together her work since 2000 onto her website Cumbria Naturally Archives
October 2025
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