As we have had quite a few periods of hot weather here in the UK, which is unusual for us, our gardens and more particularly the land has become very dry.  The last time it was like this in the UK was 1976 which I remember very well.  I was at Senior School and I remember walking to and from school and everywhere looked like a desert, especially our school playing fields where the grass disappeared and the ground started to crack through lack of water.

It has certainly been brown and dry but not quite ground cracking yet.  It has also meant that around the country our Fire Services have been dealing with a lot of Moorland fires and fires that have started on land which is very dry.  Eldest was out a lot with his Station on a big Moorland fire in the Peak District and then just before we all went away, at a big farm where their entire hay and straw bales went up.  

Around the country there have been a few other Moorland fires and sadly one fire got out of hand and did destroy some homes which is, of course, devastating for the home owners.  Several farmers have had crops set on fire too and of course this is their livelihood.  Some of these fires have been from careless use of BBQ’s and discarding of rubbish.  If they are caught they are now being fined.  

So Thank You to all Firefighters, Forestry Workers, Mountain Rescue Teams, Land Agents, Farmers and people who have provided support be it with help fighting the fires, food and drinks and clearing up afterwards.  In a normal year Eldest’s call outs are pretty steady but they have been doing double duty this summer.  

It just shows you how different our weather can be, because at the start of 2026 we had fifty days of rain from January into February.  We thought then that we would never see the sun again!!!!  

Hugs & Love, Susie & Coco xx