Moving into 'high summer'!

Well, as June moves into July we are still wearing our fleeces, the skies are full of rain threatening clouds, the wind is chilly and gusty and for a couple of evenings recently we have had the stove fired up to dry us out and warm us up. I suppose we are past the longest day and soon we will notice the nights drawing in!

Wild Orchids at Hilmorton Locks 

The fields of yellow during May have turned green and some are sprinkled with bright red poppies. Some fields have been taken over by poppies and create a breathtaking  and moving sight.
The blossom, so beautiful and abundant last month, has almost disappeared from the hedgerows now with the exception of the blackberries. elderflowers and wild roses. We should be in for a bumper crop of berries and hips this year.  The green canal side look as though they are waiting to be brushed with summer colour.

                        
                               Double Rainbow over the Oxford Canal

After all the recent heavy rain the towpaths are very, very muddy especially where they are shaded from the small glimpses of sunshine on offer.