A day in a hired beach hut in Southwold with friends and food. Stopping frequently when driving to peruse roadside stalls selling plants, I may have bought a few! Lack of sleep caused by wanting to be up gardening before the heat intensifies and reluctant to go to bed because the garden looks so pretty with magical solar lights. Have a wonderful week everyone. X
I love the history behind the Cheddar strawberries and they do look delicious. My very young strawberry plants have yielded a few this week and they were very good. But this week is all about the mock orange in our garden. There’s one we inherited when we moved in, one that I grew from a tiny cutting from one in the garden of a rented house in Hereford and the third one (‘Belle Etoile) that I planted about 20 years ago. I chose it to be in flower on my elder son’s birthday and it’s blooming its socks off again this year. We have a photo together in front of it every year. He was 24 on Wednesday 😄
The storms were so localised, we had loads of rain, yet 2 miles away my parents had none. Driving back through a semi rural area after the evening rainstorm the fields were covered in a beautiful low lying mist, like a an autumn morning. I’m assuming it was water vapour from the warm earth?
This week I am just back from holiday and feeling refreshed to tackle my work and life in general. It was only a short break so I’m very pleased that it has been so restorative.
I took my greyhound and we picked elderflowers and surprise, surprise I actually made elderflower cordial. I don't often attempt things like this but it was really easy!
I always mean to cycle the strawberry line but will have to wait until the weather breaks!! - My three things are majestic foxgloves quite covering my dads Barn down in Devon. They’re so beautiful it’s hard to believe they are poisonous! The first proper beach day, shrieking as I leapt into the icy water. We were at Broad-sands beach on one of the really hot days so it was like a slice of heaven.
Finally, garden nasturtiums just starting to show. 🏵️
Art at SITE Festival in Nailsworth and Stroud a creative unfurling in Summer each year -a pilgrimage for visitors .Driving through summer lanes admiring the pink hawthorn the cow parsley drifting in the verges green canopies enveloping us . Growing flax and yarrow in the heat -whispering to sweet peas to encourage their growth after late to the planting 🍃🥀and those nectarines arriving 🙏
Hiking with friends to a waterfall listening to a 'river concert' along the way, the smell of the sea as we approached the western most point of the continent, heartbreakingly beautiful birdsong in the early morning.
In Portugal, this week was all about the land looking green again, mostly with bracken. After a winter/spring dry spell, we suddenly got rain that bounced and the land came to life.
The chestnuts have flowered, and it's competition with blackbirds for who can get to the best peaches first!
I didn't know that about Cheddar! Reminds me of Wépion in Belgium, which is so famous for strawberries it has a museum about strawberries. No dedicated train line alas, but I guess they were transported by boat along the river.
It's been a super summer week for me. More elderflower cordial making, the local gala day sending parades past my living room window, my first sea swim of the year (!!!) and I even went for cocktails on a rooftop terrace, followed by a walk home in the neverending twilight. Looking forward to the solstice very soon...
Gosh those strawberries look delicious Lia! Just coming to the end of our scorching week on the beautiful Hebridean island of Tiree. So my three are - endless sunshine and light nights! It never gets fully dark up here. The dusking is sooo beautiful. Corncrakes - one of the rarest birds in the British isles and we’ve heard and seen them every day. Hares - so much a part of the landscape here. No rabbits on Tiree, only hares. The visual impact of this place is stunning. White sandy beaches and azure sea. ....all virtually deserted. We look out on a lovely curved bay with seals swimming and basking on the rocks.
I once spoke to a meteorologist who said late may and early June is the time to visit the west of Scotland as the wind changes direction so that the clouds drop their moisture over the highlands. It worked for me last year and it looks like it’s worked for you too!
It is! We come here because my brother and sister in law - both artists- took early retirement from teaching and came here to open a gallery and sell their paintings, ceramics and textile art 22 years ago..... d so I it’s our annual get together ! They are now fully retired having been very successful in their gallery.
It’s Dressage Test season and everyone is memorising their moves, based on the arena letters. Practicing canter circles while fox cubs peek out from hedge, riders give them space to play in the sand school.
No storm here either, so close but no rain at all. All the blackbirds fledged some weeks ago - but excitingly there is a second clutch of blue eggs in the nest, so I am soaking mealworms and leaving nearby for the parents.
Still praying for rain - none here. Bad news of an old and very dear friend diagnosed with something particularly nasty and unable to have visitors, so lots of pics of beautiful flowers, memories of times we spent together, and special love sent over the airwaves to him. An odd week.
We had a big thunderstorm which was fun to watch. The roses are still going strong and lavender is just starting to flower. My first two strawberries have been eaten - by birds! 🙄 and the blackbirds are helping themselves to all the cherries too!
A day in a hired beach hut in Southwold with friends and food. Stopping frequently when driving to peruse roadside stalls selling plants, I may have bought a few! Lack of sleep caused by wanting to be up gardening before the heat intensifies and reluctant to go to bed because the garden looks so pretty with magical solar lights. Have a wonderful week everyone. X
Oh what a good week…
I love the history behind the Cheddar strawberries and they do look delicious. My very young strawberry plants have yielded a few this week and they were very good. But this week is all about the mock orange in our garden. There’s one we inherited when we moved in, one that I grew from a tiny cutting from one in the garden of a rented house in Hereford and the third one (‘Belle Etoile) that I planted about 20 years ago. I chose it to be in flower on my elder son’s birthday and it’s blooming its socks off again this year. We have a photo together in front of it every year. He was 24 on Wednesday 😄
This is gorgeous. Happy birthday to your boy.
What a lovely story you tell - love that about the mock orange and the yearly photo! Please show it on Sunday!
I wore mock orange in my hair when we got married, it comes out at the right time every year to remind me, wonderful scent.
Oh that’s lovely!
The storms were so localised, we had loads of rain, yet 2 miles away my parents had none. Driving back through a semi rural area after the evening rainstorm the fields were covered in a beautiful low lying mist, like a an autumn morning. I’m assuming it was water vapour from the warm earth?
Oh wow yes, that’s evaporation as the ground was so warm
This week I am just back from holiday and feeling refreshed to tackle my work and life in general. It was only a short break so I’m very pleased that it has been so restorative.
Very good stuff!
I took my greyhound and we picked elderflowers and surprise, surprise I actually made elderflower cordial. I don't often attempt things like this but it was really easy!
Oh well done!
I always mean to cycle the strawberry line but will have to wait until the weather breaks!! - My three things are majestic foxgloves quite covering my dads Barn down in Devon. They’re so beautiful it’s hard to believe they are poisonous! The first proper beach day, shrieking as I leapt into the icy water. We were at Broad-sands beach on one of the really hot days so it was like a slice of heaven.
Finally, garden nasturtiums just starting to show. 🏵️
Yes the foxgloves are suddenly everywhere aren’t they. So glad you got in the sea!
Art at SITE Festival in Nailsworth and Stroud a creative unfurling in Summer each year -a pilgrimage for visitors .Driving through summer lanes admiring the pink hawthorn the cow parsley drifting in the verges green canopies enveloping us . Growing flax and yarrow in the heat -whispering to sweet peas to encourage their growth after late to the planting 🍃🥀and those nectarines arriving 🙏
Lovely! And yes I’m the same with my sweet peas - I picked some spares up from a neighbour and planted them late…cmon sweet peas!
Hiking with friends to a waterfall listening to a 'river concert' along the way, the smell of the sea as we approached the western most point of the continent, heartbreakingly beautiful birdsong in the early morning.
Wow this sounds incredible
In Portugal, this week was all about the land looking green again, mostly with bracken. After a winter/spring dry spell, we suddenly got rain that bounced and the land came to life.
The chestnuts have flowered, and it's competition with blackbirds for who can get to the best peaches first!
Hope you get some of the peaches too!
Amazingly sweet and delicious.
We’re off to Lisbon on Monday. Can’t wait!
Enjoy! Depending on whether you're close by or not, I do recommend the little Marionette museum.
The floral chaos of the ramblers, nodding ox eye daisies, sheltering in the shade with a book.
Beautiful
I didn't know that about Cheddar! Reminds me of Wépion in Belgium, which is so famous for strawberries it has a museum about strawberries. No dedicated train line alas, but I guess they were transported by boat along the river.
It's been a super summer week for me. More elderflower cordial making, the local gala day sending parades past my living room window, my first sea swim of the year (!!!) and I even went for cocktails on a rooftop terrace, followed by a walk home in the neverending twilight. Looking forward to the solstice very soon...
Oh this sounds like a magical week
Gosh those strawberries look delicious Lia! Just coming to the end of our scorching week on the beautiful Hebridean island of Tiree. So my three are - endless sunshine and light nights! It never gets fully dark up here. The dusking is sooo beautiful. Corncrakes - one of the rarest birds in the British isles and we’ve heard and seen them every day. Hares - so much a part of the landscape here. No rabbits on Tiree, only hares. The visual impact of this place is stunning. White sandy beaches and azure sea. ....all virtually deserted. We look out on a lovely curved bay with seals swimming and basking on the rocks.
I once spoke to a meteorologist who said late may and early June is the time to visit the west of Scotland as the wind changes direction so that the clouds drop their moisture over the highlands. It worked for me last year and it looks like it’s worked for you too!
Where did you go Lia? This is the best week we’ve had on Tiree for many years. It’s been like this here for a month apparently!
What a wonderful description - must be such a special place.
It is! We come here because my brother and sister in law - both artists- took early retirement from teaching and came here to open a gallery and sell their paintings, ceramics and textile art 22 years ago..... d so I it’s our annual get together ! They are now fully retired having been very successful in their gallery.
I am so impressed that you have seen corncrakes!
They are so loud - but not easy to spot!
It’s Dressage Test season and everyone is memorising their moves, based on the arena letters. Practicing canter circles while fox cubs peek out from hedge, riders give them space to play in the sand school.
Ooh fascinating, I had no idea
No storm here either, so close but no rain at all. All the blackbirds fledged some weeks ago - but excitingly there is a second clutch of blue eggs in the nest, so I am soaking mealworms and leaving nearby for the parents.
They will appreciate that! Lucky you (and them)
Still praying for rain - none here. Bad news of an old and very dear friend diagnosed with something particularly nasty and unable to have visitors, so lots of pics of beautiful flowers, memories of times we spent together, and special love sent over the airwaves to him. An odd week.
Oh Im sorry to hear this. Lovely that you can at least send pics x
Thank you. I have challenged myself to only send pics of interesting/uplifting things to him.
I bet it’s really appreciated
We had a big thunderstorm which was fun to watch. The roses are still going strong and lavender is just starting to flower. My first two strawberries have been eaten - by birds! 🙄 and the blackbirds are helping themselves to all the cherries too!
Oh no! Hope you can nab some.