Picking blackberries

It has been so dry this summer that we have had to water the garden every other day.  Luckily for us there is no hosepipe ban in our area yet, but we are mindful not to use any more water than we really need. We have also been putting our washing up water onto the grass so it has stayed relatively green. We haven't had to cut the grass at all this summer. I think that's a first.

The picture shows Larry, my husband, picking blackberries. They are not quite so big this year, but they will be delicious nevertheless.  We can look forward to some lovely blackberry and apple pies in the Autumn. Larry takes our puppy out into the garden every morning at 6 a.m. and while she is nosying around and doing her business, Larry picks the latest lot of blackberries and brings them in.  The freezer is filling up nicely.

Today we went for a walk in the countryside, taking Jenny for the first time.  She is 23 weeks old now.  It was a bit adventure for her because we went by car. It is only a short drive for us to be out of the town and into the countryside, but Jenny is new to the car as well. I bought her a special lead that fits around the headrest at the back of the car and holds her firmly on the back seat.  I sat with her this morning to reassure her and to hold her steady whilst Jim drove us to the destination.  When we got there, we found several other people walking their dogs, most of them on a leash.  There were sheep in the fields and it was all very pleasant and rural. It is illegal to let your dog roam in a field where sheep are present and the farmers are within their rights to shoot a dog, which they find worrying their sheep.