Coming to the end of my favourite month when summer is here and splendid (in most places).

This year, with Michael's death and cremation/memorial, it was rather sad but for me the year builds towards July and drops away after it.

The sun came out and gave us a brief wave this morning, but I think it's taking it's summer jollies somewhere else this year. Rain almost every day of July 2009.

Good thing has been both nest boxes occupied by wren families, and a nest of house martins just under my roof. The birds are nesting over-time this year so it should boost the population. There are also the hedgehogs who visit us every night, and the owl in the tree across the field.

My favourite time of year has always been autumn, and I look forward to that even though summer has been more like autumn this year.

You're OK, JK, July has one more day to go. This year it has 31 days. (Which, unlike February, it has the same number of days every year).

Also, unlike the South of France, July in the UK has not been blessed with the warm dry sunny weather it should have!

Roll on August.....