Before the rain

Pete and I spent the morning with his Mum and her partner. It was lovely to see her looking so much better than she did earlier in the summer - she really does seem to have regained some of her sparkle - and has also put on a bit of weight, which has pleased the medics. She certainly enjoyed her scones, jam and cream - now something of a tradition whenever we visit!

We then drove out to Dowsby to get some fresh air and do some plant recording in this fen-edge village. It was sunny when we arrived, but cloud soon bubbled up, accompanied by a freshening wind. As we looked across to the church I was struck by the contrast between the steel grey clouds, the copper-coloured oak tree and the warm limestone of the church. Within five minutes it was absolutely pouring, sending us scuttling for the car and rather curtailing our efforts.