Atlantic weather has finally arrived in St Dominic, Tamar Valley, bringing much-needed rain to revive hard-grazed turf and fields of cut hay and silage. A few late swallows swoop between hedgerows along Summers Lane, while before the rain a battalion of 50 swallows gathered on wires near Corneale farm, perhaps anticipating their journey home.
After an unusually early cereal harvest completed by mid-August, the earth beneath stubble is softened. Maize continues to grow and should provide ample fodder when harvested next month. Livestock farms are self-sufficient in winter feed, but some bedding straw has been bought from upcountry at up to £120 per tonne.
Springs have not yet broken and Radland's old millstream remains low. Domestic water use remains cautious, piped from a well reputedly dug over a century ago by Mr “Diver” Cullis of Metherell. According to the engineer servicing the pump and ultraviolet purifier, some county boreholes have run dry, an ongoing worry for large dairy farms and horticulturists growing fruit in polytunnels.
Dark-crowned trees on hedges have put on more leafy growth, highlighting this year's abundance of ash and sycamore keys, red haws and plump acorns. Along winter-flailed lanes, scarlet berries of honeysuckle, hips and bryony relieve the dullness of drab greenery and mouldy blackberries. Oak leaves show dry powdery mildew, and ferns have wilted like seeding nettles.
Downhill, James has propped up heavily laden boughs of ripening apples. A cider maker from Killerton plans to gather some of the prolific pear crop for perry, and a group of orchard enthusiasts from Belgium recently visited this documented heritage orchard.
