Hot, hotter, hottest!

We've been complaining for weeks in this part of the world that summer was never going to arrive, all we were getting was rain and wind.  This week saw a real change in the weather, really hot most days and only Friday afternoon and evening were wet. The hose-reel has been in action daily, either to cool the boys, water the garden or both.  Here are Faro (top) and Fyta enjoying the sunshine.

This photo, taken at a distance shows Faro (left) dunking his chin and face in the water tray whilst Fidget lies in the grass.  Fergus and Fyta are cooling off in the shelter and keeping the flies at bay. Some days the boys spent hours in their shelter keeping out of the heat and away from the flies.

This was taken this afternoon and shows the boys reacting to yet another hot day.  Faro lies on the grass and the other three are in the sand pit. It has certainly been the best spell of weather we have seen for ages and we hope it will continue into next week.

Can't resist posting this photo of 'Cupcake', taken mid week as he tries to stay cool in the hot weather.

It wasn't all lying about in the sun for the humans however and the dry weather saw the tractor mower in operation Mon, Tues and Wed getting all the paddocks topped again.  The boys are completely at ease with the mower even though sometimes it is close to them.

Another picture I can't resist posting!  This time it's of a group of House Martins as they massed with others around the house in the early evening sunshine.  All the youngsters are flying now and the air is full of 'chirruping' birds!

And finally............. the hot weather has also caused many of the plants to flower in the garden.  This is a beautiful Oriental Lily which stands about 12 inches tall but has a huge flower.