I enjoyed the naked bike ride photo, although I slightly wince at how that might be sitting on a narrow bike saddle - some chafing and squishing I would have thought - ouch!!
About four weeks behind, (but very welcome) are the wonderful purple maroon flowers of the purple podded Mangetout, and the beautiful dark pods with a bloom on them like a Victoria plum. The flowers I admire as much as my sweet peas, and the pods, - well, i never get them to the pan, preferring to pick them for breakfast and often eat them in the rain in my pyjamas……..
My roses bushes are taking a battering this week with the stormy wet weather so I've been collecting rose petals, which smell amazing, to dry and press for the first time. Attempting to keep a visual record of the roses from this year if I can.
Spending a day at the beach. Toeing my way slowly into the chilly water almost unable to get in, then suddenly getting so comfortable that I stayed in quite a while. Coming home feeling salty and sandy.
I have been drawn in by the great looming skies all week, last evening’s low sunlight uplighting trees in City Road, unreal and theatrical. The sky deep, scab red with a burgundy-tinged rainbow.
Essex plum time on Tottenham Marsh, for a frangipane tart.
We have enjoyed some stunning sunsets this last week with wonderful skies of turmeric yellow and paprika orange. As well as an abundance of flowers, the garden is alive with butterflies, bees and a dragonfly or two. Probably not as many people feel, but I am happier that the temperatures are a bit cooler than we'd expect as I still have the energy to get out and garden, walk and ride my horse.
Love your perfect description of sunsets, using spice colours. Very heartened to read your garden is alive with pollinators, it’s contrary to what myself and most people are seeing in and around my home county of Norfolk UK. Xx
After my courgettes failed due to the cold and wet weather, I struggled to find motivation to clear them away and sort out the rest of my garden that was quite neglected. But I bought some lavender, garden thyme, sage, a lovely peachy dahlia called Emily and some purple lobelia to freshen it all up. With some motivation from my sister, I cleared up the garden and it's sitting pretty now, bringing some joy despite the grey weather!
I have enjoying watching the great tits bringing in food to the loud cacophony of chirping chicks in a nest box near to where I have a morning cup of tea.. but today absolute silence. They must’ve fledged yesterday and I can’t help hoping they will survive and the cycle will continue.
A beautiful sunset on Druridge Bay beach; a naked outdoor shower at the shepherd's hut I was staying in - quite exhilarating! Two hares bouncing around and deer prancing in the field we overlooked. And rain. Lots of it. Came home to find soggy flowers in overflowing pots. And still no sign of my geraniums!
We visited the Festival of Making this week, a celebration of all things craft / textiles / industry / art. Lovely to see so many people making and doing. Would have been nicer with blue skies - when has July ever been this grey?
Up early and struck by how quiet it is in the garden. Only the woodpigeon still cooing. I miss the dawn chorus but the silence has its own charm. Lovely to be able to be up before traffic at the weekend! Only other obvious birdlife this week are the blackbirds stealing all our fruit (that isn’t netted) and scruff the resident Robin who looks as if s/he has had a hard year but perky as ever.
the first small batch of apricot jam - tangy and bright at the sun.
I enjoyed the naked bike ride photo, although I slightly wince at how that might be sitting on a narrow bike saddle - some chafing and squishing I would have thought - ouch!!
About four weeks behind, (but very welcome) are the wonderful purple maroon flowers of the purple podded Mangetout, and the beautiful dark pods with a bloom on them like a Victoria plum. The flowers I admire as much as my sweet peas, and the pods, - well, i never get them to the pan, preferring to pick them for breakfast and often eat them in the rain in my pyjamas……..
My roses bushes are taking a battering this week with the stormy wet weather so I've been collecting rose petals, which smell amazing, to dry and press for the first time. Attempting to keep a visual record of the roses from this year if I can.
Spending a day at the beach. Toeing my way slowly into the chilly water almost unable to get in, then suddenly getting so comfortable that I stayed in quite a while. Coming home feeling salty and sandy.
sounds wonderful, where were you?
Compton Bay on the Isle of Wight!
I had a lovely wander with hundreds of orchids on the South Downs. A proper wild flower meadow.
I have been drawn in by the great looming skies all week, last evening’s low sunlight uplighting trees in City Road, unreal and theatrical. The sky deep, scab red with a burgundy-tinged rainbow.
Essex plum time on Tottenham Marsh, for a frangipane tart.
We have enjoyed some stunning sunsets this last week with wonderful skies of turmeric yellow and paprika orange. As well as an abundance of flowers, the garden is alive with butterflies, bees and a dragonfly or two. Probably not as many people feel, but I am happier that the temperatures are a bit cooler than we'd expect as I still have the energy to get out and garden, walk and ride my horse.
Love your perfect description of sunsets, using spice colours. Very heartened to read your garden is alive with pollinators, it’s contrary to what myself and most people are seeing in and around my home county of Norfolk UK. Xx
After my courgettes failed due to the cold and wet weather, I struggled to find motivation to clear them away and sort out the rest of my garden that was quite neglected. But I bought some lavender, garden thyme, sage, a lovely peachy dahlia called Emily and some purple lobelia to freshen it all up. With some motivation from my sister, I cleared up the garden and it's sitting pretty now, bringing some joy despite the grey weather!
Sweet peas tumbling over a neighbour's fence and a wall of blowsy roses outside the allotments.
They are so pretty and smell gorgeous, although I haven't any in my garden, my daughter gave me a beautiful bunch
Despite the rain, the slugs, and the cats, there's a bud on the sweet peas near the front door.
Yay!!
Sitting on my window seat with a warming mug of cacao. Gazing out at the rain, then settling down to read Rooted by Lyanda Lynn Haupt.
6 new moorhen chick's on the pond at work, down to 5 cygnets though.
I have enjoying watching the great tits bringing in food to the loud cacophony of chirping chicks in a nest box near to where I have a morning cup of tea.. but today absolute silence. They must’ve fledged yesterday and I can’t help hoping they will survive and the cycle will continue.
A beautiful sunset on Druridge Bay beach; a naked outdoor shower at the shepherd's hut I was staying in - quite exhilarating! Two hares bouncing around and deer prancing in the field we overlooked. And rain. Lots of it. Came home to find soggy flowers in overflowing pots. And still no sign of my geraniums!
We visited the Festival of Making this week, a celebration of all things craft / textiles / industry / art. Lovely to see so many people making and doing. Would have been nicer with blue skies - when has July ever been this grey?
That sounds lovely Cathryn - where was the festival?
It was in Blackburn, Lancashire - it’s such a lovely festival, lots of things to make and workshops to try, it was great!
It sounds great 🙂
Up early and struck by how quiet it is in the garden. Only the woodpigeon still cooing. I miss the dawn chorus but the silence has its own charm. Lovely to be able to be up before traffic at the weekend! Only other obvious birdlife this week are the blackbirds stealing all our fruit (that isn’t netted) and scruff the resident Robin who looks as if s/he has had a hard year but perky as ever.