Stillness

IMG_7349

I cannot be certain but I think that the craziness of spring and early summer may be subsiding. Today there was time to consider and enjoy instead of ticking off an arm long list of chores. It was perfect working weather and I was surrounded by chilled out people, the ideal combination for pain free achievement.   I was reintroduced to the joy of getting to the end of the day without the dissatisfaction of jobs not done or the disappointment of necessary short cuts. There was a stillness.  There may have been a quiet moment.

It is said that nature always fills a vacuum.   Today my head was full of plans and scheming for next year.  Big and better and brighter!

Words for Lunch

IMG_7339

Last week myself and Max’s Dad were talking about alstroemeria.  We were standing in front of a pathetic specimen poking its weedy head through the wisteria skirts.  Although I can’t remember the conversation in full it went something like this:

Me:  Don’t really get alstroemeria, I’ve never really warmed to them.

Him:  Nor me.

Me:  I can see they have exotic blooms, are reliable performers and if they were good enough for the Incas they should be good enough for me.  It is a complete mystery why they have zero appeal.

Him:  And me.

Me:  Shall we dig them up?

Him: Maybe.

This week I arrived and MD had been shopping.   Amongst his haul was this Alstroemeria “Indian Summer”.  For lunch I ate my words.

 

Androsace lanuginosa – Wooly Rock Jasmine

IMG_5656

I was entranced by the diminutive Androsace lanuginosa recently discovered in Phlomis Flo’s wonderful garden.  Actually it wasn’t lost, just new one to me.  And what an impression it made! It sucked me in but didn’t spit me out and still it haunts me.  The charming white flowers, variously red and yellow centred, are held high above the downy foliage.  Far from its native Himalayan hills it is thriving in its North Devon adopted home.  Stunning and now lusted after in a slightly scary way.

Velour

IMG_7240

The quince tree at The Farm is the first time I have come across this ancient fruit. This is not the flowering quince, Chaenomeles japonica, widely grown as a wall shrub for its decorative spring flowers.  We are talking about Cydonia oblonga grown for its fragrant fruit, which like medlars must be bletted, or left to almost rot, before eaten.  If this does not appeal then they make delicious jams, puddings and wines.  Allegedly.  The Portuguese word for this golden pear shaped fruit is marmello, and it is from this fruit that the original marmalade was made.

Last year this tree managed to flower but produced no fruit.  The fact that it spent some of this time horizontal, until properly staked, may have had something to do with its barrenness.  This year we have had flower, it has set fruit and had another go at flowering.  I am hoping that this fruitling, snug in its velour all-in-one, will hold on tight until autumn, when we can sample its delights.

Entente Cordiale

IMG_5641

We should have been full to bursting after our trip on Sunday, but we had left just enough room for pudding.  Yesterday we went to see Phlomis Flo and TT and their amazing garden on the Mortehoe cliffs.  The sun had exhausted itself on Sunday and in its absence the mizzle was having its day.  This didn’t matter, the garden was still stunning.  I have been here many times and still wonder at its beauty.  The dry stone terraces are packed with plants from across the globe, all living happily together.  As Flo says, they should be an example to us all.

You will be pleased to know that today I went to work.