Tuesday 7 June 2016

Thunder.

All afternoon thunder has been rumbling and lightning has been flashing all round the horizon, but never actually getting to us.   It is now much cooler (it was up to 28 degrees at lunch time) but everywhere is dry and it would have been nice to have a downpour.   I have several packets of hardy annuals (candytuft, night scented stocks) to sow in a particular place but I need a good rain first.

But I shouldn't complain; we have had three glorious days when the countryside has really looked its very best.

The farmer and I have been to Northallerton this  afternoon to our local hospital so that the farmer could see the Specialist about his neck and shoulders.   They are in very poor condition (a condition which applies to many farmers after years of heaving heavy bales of straw about) - in fact the surgeon thinks they are probably too bad for an operation.   In any case the particular operation is not always successful, so there is considerable risk.

The farmer seems very philosophical about it all (but that is another thing about farmers - they seem to take this attitude to many things.)

On the subject of farming - none of the sheep around here have been sheared yet (should that be 'shorn'?) and this week, in the hot weather, they have really looked so hot and worn out.   As with most years,
the day the shearers come usually signals the day the weather turns a bit chilly.   But that's farming for you.

15 comments:

Derek Faulkner said...

We've had heavy skies all afternoon here in North Kent and very humid but now at 8.00 we're having a thunder storm and some heavy rain.

Cro Magnon said...

Personally I think the farmer is lucky not to have an op'. Almost everyone I know who've recently had op's have ended up worse than when they started. One friend who had a new hip is now wheelchair bound. Hot and sticky here, with a sudden 2 minute downpour yesterday afternoon.

angryparsnip said...

Oh the poor sheep. Wearing wool in summer is not good.
I hope the Farmer's neck and shoulder problem can be worked out.

cheers, parsnip and thehamish

jinxxxygirl said...

Hi Pat... on my way to bed to read a page or two before turning off the light and saw your post.. I wonder if stretching would help the Farmer?? It is often recommended for my husbands ailments like his arms and shoulders and back but it is not a piece of advice my husband will listen to. To him it seems a waste of his time....... Hugs! deb

Librarian said...

I'd gladly send some of the rain we've been having over to you! It's been way too wet, not sure whether you heard about the extremely heavy thunderstorms that have been causing so much damage here in Germany recently, even loss of lives, around 20 dead altogether I think.
It's not been so dramatic in the town where I live, just a few cellars needed pumping out, but it certainly would be nice to have a few days of sunshine without the constant threat of thunderstorms!

What are the alternatives for an OP? Stop work...? Unlikely, I suppose! Will physiotherapy give at least some relief?

Jacque Ojadidi said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
thelma said...

After reading previous comments, it is probably good that the Farmer does not have the operation, chiropractors and masseurs come to mind to relieve knotting of muscles. All the sheep we saw yesterday were resting under the trees, slumped under the walls of people's houses so they must be feeling the heat, poor creatures.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Thanks for the advice everyone. The farmer has been having physiotherapy for the problem every six weeks for years now. He has had a CT scan and is now going to have an MRI scan. There are dangers from an operation so he will think carefully. As to stopping working after a lifetime of work - I think he would die of boredom.
No thunderstorms here, although ten miles up the dale there was a heavy one with a huge downpour. It seems to have gone all round us. This morning it is overtcast and humid.

Heather said...

Poor wilting sheep - I can sympathise but have no woolly coat to shed. Hope the farmer can find some relief for his pain and discomfort even if nothing can be done surgically. It is very grey and steamy down here but we have had no rain, unlike London. Just as well to get it over and done with considering all the celebrations planned there to mark the Queen's birthday.

Rachel Phillips said...

Keep away from doctors. A good massage works wonders. Even doctors say keep away from doctors and these MOTs they are now offering should be avoided.

Derek Faulkner said...

I totally agree with Rachel,I have arthritis in the neck and feet and a good massage or physio is as good as it gets, doctors only dish out pain killers.

Dawn said...

we had a bit of rain the other evening but not enough to make a difference, I wish i would rain at night and sunshine during the day but I suppose thats too much to ask for :-)

Frances said...

You and the Farmer are wise to be wary of surgery.

It's pleasantly cool here after very heavy rain on Sunday brought the temperature down. Cool enough to knit with wool!

xo

Mac n' Janet said...

At our age surgery is always more of a risk. My husband tore something in his knee (the meniscus) and the doctor told him quite frankly that at his age surgery wouldn't help. You just learn to live with things.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Sorry to hear about the farmer's continued problems with his shoulder - but if the surgery won't help at least his attitude is good. Lots of farming going on here in the Pacific Northwest of Washington - corn is up - potatoes are being planted - haying has gone through its second mowing and bailing already - and flowers are blooming everywhere. Glorious summer!!!