As the temperatures stretch into the mid twenties and beyond the site has become a time lapse photographers dream; people come and go in their vehicles loaded with materials, friends and observers pop in to help and say ‘Hi’ and the landscape around us and in the distance is transformed into neat rows of hope.
Drains in, partitions built, quotes accepted, tiles ordered, samples viewed, late night discussions, decisions made and changed. Seeds selected, weeds tamed, rows hoed and staples planted on mass, the promise of freshly picked salads draws closer.
The clatter of thunder marks the end of the day and I hurry to get things under cover, and whilst the arcing circuit sparks to the sky are no sure sign of rain, if it does then it comes down as if it’s the last chance it will ever get. The road to civilisation can become impassable by anything other than welly clad foot as it becomes river and I am reminded that I must put in some road drainage, one day! The van is moved to higher and more solid ground.
With hardly time to think to count between the crack and the flash the storm is upon us. Dogs return from adventures to seek shelter and the increased throttle of a tractor can be heard in the distance as the final row of potatoes is sown, just in time. The darkening sky sends the omnipresent dandelions to sleep, and even the birds leave the trees to hiding places unknown as the first scouting raindrops hit the tin roof of the house with a hollow flat note, soon becoming a hurried drum roll punctuated by a dripping gutter. I must fix that!
As the wind races around the house a clear and sunlit patch of ground can be spotted to the south east and I know is heading this way, and no sooner have I finished my cup of tea then a birdsong melody replaces the drum solo and the clouds settle over the next valley finding a new home on higher ground. Now as a distant observer I look on in awe as the electrical show continues and my slow quiet counting confirms that the storm is visiting lands further afield, but the rumble can still be heard for an hour or so after, a last word reminder that it will be back again tomorrow.
Great post… this is Polish weather…
Thank you Krakers 🙂
Zimnych ogrodnikow on the way, maybe a little early this year I hope. Then the real summer can begin.
So many metaphors describing your scenes. I could visualize everything. I really like the ‘a birdsong melody replaces the drum solo,’ You are really on a roll!
Thank you Pat, it’s not often I’m that creative…maybe just as well 🙂
🙂
Lovely post Eddy, very atmospheric! I miss the cycle of the seasons and weather with _character_ back home, though this reminds me more of the intense summer storms in more tropical climes where I grew up.
It rained in Cusco when I was passing through ten days ago. It was lovely to go walking in it.
Thank you Toni. I have loved your posts of late, some great photos and writing, but so much dilemma. Like the weather it can only get better 🙂
Thanks Eddy. Living and working here in Peru is making me confront some pretty heavy stuff. I’m struggling to find lighter stuff to write about when my world is quite a challenging place at present.
Looking forward to getting home and writing about gardening again!
Good atmosphere Eduardo,though you are lucky to have such high temperatures so soon.It is chilly and dank here, with summer seeming a long way off. Be careful in that lightning old friend!
Best wishes from Norfolk, Pete.
Cheers Pete, I’ll keep my wellys on, mind you bare feet may be better, I don’t want to offer too much resistance to a passing bolt!
A nice narrative.
Thank you.
Very enjoyable read Eddy! I felt like I was sipping tea right along side of you. You should do more such posts!
Thank you, I wish I could think of them more often, but it’s just what came to mind the other day when I couldn’t sleep. I nearly didn’t post it as I wasn’t too sure about it 🙂 Hope you are all well, all the best, Eddy
Beautifully written! Like a short story. 🙂
Parker
Thank you Parker, it’s odd what I think of at five in the morning 🙂