Fluke

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My life is one fluke after another, and we are not talking about the parasitic worm here.  This photo was meant to illustrate the perfect partnership of powder pink aquilegia and dusky blue nepeta. Little did I know that this horticultural masterpiece would be photo bombed by a scene stealing ladybird.  Don’t you love it when a plan goes completely wrong and is all the more better for it?!

Peculiar

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Something most peculiar happened today.  After a full day’s work at The Farm I came home (a little jaded, very muddy) and downloaded my photos. Except there weren’t any.  For some reason not one single picture was taken today.  True I was busy, but usually there is something that catches my eye, that is worthy of a snap.  And there was opportunity aplenty. Mr G being followed by one chicken and six ducklings.  Newly earthed up potatoes.  Apple blossom.  A JCB.  Something for everyone.  In the past this photographic hiatus was because I had left my camera at home, or it was being stored at the bottom of a pond.  But no, it was attached to my belt in the normal manner, close at hand.  But for some inexplicable reason I hadn’t reached for my trusty friend once all day.  Most peculiar.  So you will have to admire this cherry blossom from Max’s house.  I promise I will try harder tomorrow.

 

Alone

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I like working with people in the garden, I would say that I am naturally a team player.  Some days I yearn for solitude, but not often.  Today, usually for Max’s garden, I was on my own.  It was not a Greta Garbo day.  I felt a little bereft.  There was no one to plan with, bounce off, no one with whom to discuss complex ethical problems or argue about your favourite member of One Direction, or to enthuse with, or just be silly with.  The pigeons, who were making the most of Max’s absence, weren’t much fun at all, in fact they were pretty dull company.  So I weeded and daydreamed and weeded some more, waiting for the showers which never materialised.  Not a bad way to spend a few hours, but I did miss my boys.

As I haven’t quite completed a full year in this garden, this is my first experience of the many azaleas that grow here.  Pink, yellow, cerise, deep red, flushed whites and tango orange.  This dark leaved variety caught my eye, with its burnt amber buds.  I may have said it before, but I so love spring!

Rainy Day Mauves

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Today it rained, proper rain that inhibited all hope of productive gardening, especially on a grassy hillside.  This rain was most welcome and extremely irritating in equal measures.  The ground is bone dry and the energetic new growth is desperate for some extra moisture, however I had ordered only night-time rain for the unforeseeable future.  The memo must have been mislaid.   I am sure I could hear weeds sniggering at our impotence.   Anyway, did we let this scupper our day?  I think not!  Myself and Max’s Dad headed off to Marwood Hill Gardens for inspiration, chocolate brownies and shopping. I am pleased to report all our tasks were satisfactorily completed.   As MD’s Silver Shadow was in the garage we had to use my Reliant Robin, an experience for all concerned, especially later when packing in purchases.  Under some strange pretext MD offered to drive on the way home, I wondered what all that screaming had been about on the journey out!

Just as we were leaving the Plant Sales area, that we had unfortunately stumbled upon, I noticed this Jovellana violacea climbing the wall.  The teacup flower is a Chilean charmer, delicate in form and nature.  Inside these bashful blooms is a yellow spotted throat, the hidden wild side.