First Hike in June

Of course, after the last hike in May, a first hike in June had to follow, didn't it!

The 1st of June, a Monday, was a Bank Holiday here (Pentecost). It was a proper summer's day at 28 C (82 F), and we knew we wanted to go once more somewhere that would feel a little cooler: The Black Forest.

Quite by coincidence, we repeated in part the first hike of this year; this time, without getting up on the tower itself. There were simply too many people about, and we were lucky to find a place to sit on the plateau around the tower to eat our sandwiches. We had been prepared for lots of other walkers, hikers and cyclists, and I find I can handle crowds much better when I expect them AND have a chance to get away.

Luckily, the Black Forest is large enough to accomodate more than a few visitors, and since everyone walks or cycles at their own pace, we still had parts of our 11 km circuit where there were just the two of us.

By mid-afternoon, we were back at O.K.'s cottage, and after coffees and cake on the balcony there was still enough time for a steak and salad later before he took me to the station to catch my trains home.

The first week of June then turned out to be a rather mixed bag weather-wise: 
Tuesday was still warm and sunny; I went to see my parents after work and then for a walk with my sister. 
Wednesday started sunny, too, but then a thunderstorm brought temperatures down for the rest of the week. I finally rang and spoke to Mary, my mother-in-law in Yorkshire, after many weeks. She is 86 now and has been wisely self-isolating as recommended. As she is quite happy with her own company, her cat, her books and her garden, she's coping well. But of course it is a shame that we can not see each other this year; my sister and I were originally scheduled to be in Ripon from the 20th to the 30th of this month, but we won't attempt a trip to the UK before next year.

Picked straight from my kitchen window!

My sister-in-law's cat.

On Thursday, I woke up with a headache bad enough to keep me in bed all day. I drifted in and out of sleep and felt rather sorry for myself and only got up at around 6:00 pm. Good job such days are very, very rare for me. I blame the sudden change of weather combined with a very busy period at work.

By Friday, I was perfectly alright again, and able to finish work early enough to go for another walk with my sister, this time to the palace grounds.

O.K. arrived later that evening to spend the weekend here. After a chilly and wet Saturday, Sunday was great walking/hiking weather again - more about that in my next post.

I find June to be the most fragrant month in my area. Roses, privet hedges, elder flower,  freshly cut grass - it all combines to an intricately woven tapestry of scents. Simply wonderful.