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Thursday 29 September 2011

Heatwave ? Here in Devon?

Hallo my little bloggy friends.  Well, for the past few days, it's been hotter here than it has been all summer!  It's been 73 degrees here today - my goodness, that's an absolute miracle!! Long may it continue, that's what I say.

Apparently, nature is totally confused at the moment.  Because of the bitterly cold winter that we had, then a warm dry spring, followed by a wet summer, the trees don't know whether they are coming or going with this warm spell.  Some of the trees have their leaves turning colour, but they also have spring buds appearing, as if they are trying to flower again!  I actually have four pink buds on our magnolia tree, which isn't due to flower until next spring.

This is the time of the year when we can collect conkers from the Horse Chestnut Tree.  Does anyone else remember playing conkers when they were young children?  I used to love it!  I can remember that we used to soak the conkers in vinegar and even put them in the oven to harden them, in order that we may become the conker champion amongst our friends.  Happy days.  At least it was much better than just sitting in front of a computer screen like many of the youngsters seem to do these days.


Conkers

I think I might be suffering from some sort of virus at the moment, because I haven't got the energy to do anything.  Every time I do something , I am absolutely wiped out and just have to flop back in the armchair, which is just not like me at all.  I'll see how I feel over the weekend, and if things aren't improving, I guess I will just have to bite the bullet and pay a visit to the doctor.

At least my day was brightened yesterday, as I received a parcel from my lovely friend Colenic, which consisted of lots of smiley things.  My grandchildren absolutely loved the little fridge magnets and spent ages making patterns with them.  There was also a lovely little Christmas hanging decoration from Maine, along with a bottle of Maple Syrup, again all the way from Maine. Thank you so much Col!




Doesn't it make you smile?!

Time to carry on reading all your posts my friends!  Take care, and be good!

30 comments:

LindyLouMac said...

First!! We heard about your Indian summer and that is due to last over the weekend, so relax and enjoy. It sounds like you have some serious recharging of batteries to do, I was sorry to read you are still feeling so drained. Oh yes I remember playing conkers :)

Grammy Goodwill said...

I'm glad you're having such good weather. It's beautiful here today, but it's going to turn colder on Sat. for our ball game. I'm sorry to hear you're still not feeling 100%. Maybe you tried to do too much too soon. I prescribe lots of sunshine and rest.

Desiree said...

What great news about the weather! We are having a cool day here and it is decidedly chilly tonight! Seems the weather patterns are a bit confused worldwide :)

Your package contents are super, Diane! It's always exciting to receive something unexpected. I am so sorry to hear you still aren't well :( I do so hope that whatever it is, clears up SOON!!!

No, we didn't play conkers in SA, but my FIL is English and so my husband had conkers of his Dad's, which he'd brought to SA when he emigrated from the UK.

Big hug,
Des xoxo

Darlene said...

We call conkers "buckeyes" or "chestnuts" over here in the States. (I had to google them to know which was which, and they both look very similar. Which is sad because, we must have both types in our yard, according to the shells!) I would challenge you to a game of conkers, but, your aim may be better than mine...but I do have a fantastic supply! Hope you're feeling better soon!

Belle said...

We are having an unusually warm autumn also. I have read Japan's earthquake has changed the Earth's axis and changed weather all over the world. I believe that is why the weather is different now. It has actually been hot here this month. Amazing!

I am praying for you Diane. I am so sorry to hear you are still not feeling well. May God's hand be on you.

Claudia Moser said...

I love to search for chesnuts, I usually use them for decorations :)
As for the strange weather I can understand, in Germany we have the same situation.
As for your health, do take care, and go to the doctor, please :)

Southhamsdarling said...

LindyLouMac in Italy - wow, it's unusual for you to be first! That's because I have posted much later today I guess. My hubby has bought me some Tonic Wine, so I'm going to have a little glass in a minute. Apparently, it's pretty strong!

Grammy Goodwill - Yes, it's so good to have this lovely weather so late in the season. Lots of sunshine & rest sounds good to me!!

Desiree = hallo my friend. Always good to hear from you. Yes, great news about the weather indeed. Seems like we've been waiting all summer for this!!! Thank you for your good wishes. That was interesting about the conkers being brought to South Africa from England! Sending hugs x

Darlene - The two D's one after another today - Desiree & Darlene! Hee Hee. Sounds like a double act! We have something called chestnuts as well, which we eat roasted! They do look very similar. I am the local conker champion, I'll have you know!!

Southhamsdarling said...

Belle - hallo dear friend. Thank you so much for your prayers. That means a lot to me. That's really interesting about the Japanese earthquake changing the weather worldwide.

Claudia = good evening my friend! So you have a similar situation weatherwise in Germany. It's strange, isn't it? I'm hoping that the lovely warmth will last for a while longer.

Shady Del Knight said...

We simply called them horse-chestnuts, Thisisme, and I can't remember playing a game with them. I looked up conkers and it said you thread them on a string and try to break each other's open. I don't remember doing that, just collecting them. Dear Thisisme, I am very happy about England's mild temperatures but very sad to know that you're still not feeling well. Please take care of yourself and don't hesitate to get checked by a doctor if you don't improve. I care very much about you, dear friend!

Southhamsdarling said...

Shady - Hi Tom. Lovely to see you here, as always!Yes, that's right, you thread string through the conkers. One person would hold theirs on a string, and, yes, the other player would try to break the conker. Great fun! We were easily pleased in those days! LOL!! I really do appreciate your concern my dear friend. I'm hoping that it's just something that will pass soon.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

hello Diane ... sorry that you are not feeling 100% .. I hope that you get a bit of rest and then recover quickly.

What beautiful weather we are having .. would of been a bit better if it didn't make my ankle ache .. it will be alright with time.

How wonderful to receive the unexpected parcel ,,, always lifts our spirits. xx

Raindrops and Daisies said...

Am so glad that you got a parcel
of unexpected goodies from a friend Diane.

What a lovely surprise for you and they all look fantastic.

Hope that you are feeling a lot better now. I am sure the sunshine will work wonders.

Take care of yoruself

Fiona x

Christmas-etc... said...

The weather sounds wonderful... but the poor trees!
Oh my, maple syrup! Yummm. Pancakes anyone? :)
Have a nice summer...I mean Autumn!
ann

Anonymous said...

The weather is lovely isn't it. Glad that you enjoy it. What a wonderful gift you've got, a lot of smileys.
Enjoy your evening.
Hugs my friend

Southhamsdarling said...

Anne in Oxfordshire - lovely to see you here today! Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, wonderful weather, but I'm so sorry to hear that your ankle has been troubling you. It's certainly been a long old job for you, hasn't it? Take care.

Raindrops and Daisies - Yes, my little goodies were a lovely surprise. Thank you for your good wishes Fiona.

Ann Nichols - your comment did make me smile today! Yes, I will have to make some pancakes, won't I?!

Eva - hi there! Yes, a lot of Smileys. They do make me smile! Isn't the weather wonderful? I do hope it will last for a while. Hugs to you my friend.

SkippyMom said...

The weather here is gorgeous too. We are so lucky. The leaves haven't started to change yet, but I can't wait since our home is surrounded with trees and it will be beautiful to look at. And once they fall I can see the playground behind our house. YAY!

I love the box from Col. Mine arrived on my birthday and Wallene had a great time with the magnets too. And the syrup is AWESOME! I drink my morning tea out of the happy mug.

Lyndylou said...

I hope you feel better soon. I know how you feel as this is week 3 for me. Uggg :(

Unknown said...

Dear Diane, I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling unwell. Thank you so much for visiting me in blogland today. I'm curious about conkers and will have to look that one up. We have been enjoying lots of made up games here lately. Here's hoping the warm weather stays and that you are feeling better soon.

Southhamsdarling said...

SkippyMom- yes, it was a lovely little assortment of goodies from Col. How lucky that yours arrived on tour birthday . I can just imagine Wallene playing with the magnets. Hee hee! Let's hope this weather lasts fir a little longer. Hugs.

lyndylou - I saw from your post how poorly you've been. I do hope it gets easier for you soon . Hugs.

kneesandpaws - hi Jenny. Thank you for your good wishes. I'm sure that Elliot would like that game of Conkers. I enjoyed your post very much today. Hugs.

Unknown said...

Sounds like Indian Summer from this side of the Pond--do you have that in England? Pouring with rain here all week long. I'm staying inside with the dog, knitting for a new grand coming in May. Got an absolutely ADORABLE pattern for bunny rabbit booties!!

I hope you find out what ails you soon and that you get back your zip pronto.
Rosemary

orchid0324 said...

Hi, Dear Lady.
Happy to know you love the weather at the moment. Oh, we sometimes see cherry-tree blossom a little in fall. We call it "crazy blooming".

Playing with "conkers", sounds fun and I'll check about it later with PC.

Oh, happy gift for you♬♬♬ Really hope that all these lovely gifts bring you feel really better like you said, my dear lady. Wishing you can have perfect health as soon as possible!!!

PS> I'm having busy days at the moment, but doing fine. Thank you for your sweet words for me in your previous post.

Lots of hugs and thoughts from east, Orchid*

Daydream Living said...

Enjoy the summerdays in September, you never know how long it will last right? Hope you feel better soon, hugs, Maureen x

Suzanne said...

Could it be the change in your weather that's putting you under the weather Thisisme? I am so sorry you're not feeling well, but glad your weather is beautiful.

Love your little smiley gift...so sweet and cheery. But, I've never heard of Conkers. They do look like large Hazelnuts, I think!

Hope you're better soon. Take Care.

Teresa said...

Diane - I hope you're feeling better very quickly. I'd never heard of "conkers" before. Are they chestnuts?

Your weather sounds lovely. Our temps are about the same as yours. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Bethe77 said...

Thisisme so gald to be able to stop by and catch up a bit with you today! I have missed reading the ahppenings over in your part of the world. Sunshine how lovely. I have has some lovely sun here in the PNW. Though I have been busy. Rain is called for the next week. Sad. The Fall colors are beautiful! Just wish we had had a longer Summer wasnt much of one this year.. Sounds like your trees and plants are a bit confused. I will pray you are feeling better soon. Im sorry to hear you are a bit under the weather. Thank you for stopping by faithfully and leaving me little notes. They are so encouraging. Busy seems to be on the menu for me through the new year. As the Lady Im working for just called abit ago. Oh my how things are going on in the salon and for my friend with cancer he goes to the doctor tomorrow. Goodness I didnt think I could work this hard still. laughing.
Many blessings

Gawgus things... said...

Our good weather is meant to be carrying on until 5th october and then bang - it's gone! Love all the smiley things - fantastic!

Duncan D. Horne - the Kuantan blogger said...

Yes Diane, I remember well going to the horse chestnut tree and throwing sticks up there to knock the conkers down. I did the same tricks as you, with the vinegar-soaking and placing them in the oven! Every play time at school we played conkers. I remember wrapping the string around my hand as I held the conker out for my friend to give it his best shot. And when he hit it cleanly, boy it hurt! haha!

Duncan In Kuantan

Southhamsdarling said...

Steadfast Ahoy - Hi Rosemary! How exciting that you have a new grand arriving next year. Exciting times! Those little bootees sound so sweet. Yes, we do call it an Indian Summer over here as well. Have a lovely weekend.

Orchid - hi my little Japanese friend. I love that expression - "crazy blooming". That's certainly what it is! Hope you're not overdoing things, as I know you are busy at the moment. Take care. Big hugs.

Daydream Living Hi Maureen. You're right, we have to make the most of this lovely sunshine. We probably won't be getting much more if it! :(

Susan - Hallo! How lovely to see you here today. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. You're right, it could well be the weather that is causing my lethargy. Thank you so much for your good wishes.

Teresa - We have chestnuts as well, which are usually roasted over an open fire, so that we can eat them. I think conkers are a completely different thing, although they do look very similar. You certainly can't eat conkers!

Bethe - Lovely to see you here today. I've certainly missed your comments dear friend! I know that you are so very busy at the moment, but I hope you're managing to make at least a little time for yourself! Like you, we certainly didn't have much of a summer this year either. Take care.

Gawgus things - Well, make the most of the wonderful weather whilst you can!

Duncan - hi there. Funny that you used to do exactly the same thing with the conkers! You're right - crikey, it could be SO painful sometimes!! It was banned here for a while because of health & safety concerns. DOH!! Spoilsports, that's what I say. Have a lovely weekend with your beautiful little family.

BB said...

70's in the autumn is perfect isn't it? Beach two days in a row here and now it will cool off for a few days. Love it though. Sleep with a blanket and windows open during the day! Ahhhh. Hope you're feeling all better! You are awesome my friend.

Southhamsdarling said...

Bouncin'Barb = thank you for taking the trouble to come over and comment on all my old posts! I agree, these temperatures are lovely at this time of the year. We didn't even have temperatures like this in the summer!! Hugs.