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.
In all our many visits to beloved Sizergh this was a novel experience, and thrilling. We reached the terrace during a glimmer of sunlight and swallows skimmed the lawns. During the worst of the weather there seemed to be noone but a couple of volunteer gardeners who carried on working. Then, when the rain eased, visitors appeared and strolled the gardens.
How different from that mid-August day when verbena had nectaring painted ladies, small tortoiseshell and red adrmiral. It was not too late for the latter two species, but too wet. A few whites were in flight
13 September During the night pulses of rain hammered on the sky-light window. A bright morning, briefly, before the next downpours. Windows sparkled with sunlit raindrops, with bright clouds over the fells. A beautiful morning, for now.
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