Saturday 30 June 2012

WET SUMMER IN THE GARDEN

 

 

It has been such dreadful weather this month (June) that we haven’t got out at all.   Luckily we have not been affected by the floods – I feel very sorry for those whose home and belongings have been ruined.

So I thought I would take you on a bit of a walk round our garden – everything is growing well, including the grass and the weeds!

 

IMG_2123         Rain drops on African Marigold

I have antirrhinums in pots on the patio, and they have done very well.   I also have African Marigolds, and the raindrops on the petals looked like diamonds fixed in a piece of jewellery.

                                        

The pink roses have again gone riot among our orange honeysuckle!   I quite like the contrast.   If you look at the right hand picture you will see why I can’t prune the roses properly – the honeysuckle has longingly entwined itself around the roses!

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The Mock Orange is lovely again                             And smells gorgeous especially after rain

 

                                         

We have a very tall foxglove – If you look in the centre top of the photo you can see it peeping out from the Buddleia.   I reckon the flower spike is at least 4 ft. high!   We only spotted it when it appeared at the top!

And lastly a view down what I grandly term our herbaceous bed!   Last of the alliums and aquilegias, plus nepeta, astrantia and alchemilla.   Good old reliable favourites of mine!

Sorry this blog is rather late, but I thought I ought to prove I was still alive!

Monday 18 June 2012

ODDS AND ENDS FROM OUR HOLIDAY

 

 

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Taken from the coach as we visited Vigo, Spain

 

 

                    

Windows were often elaborate                  There were often cool spots in odd corners

                                                            of the streets.

 

 

           

Fascinating mosaics                                       And some very strange sculpture!

 

 

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There were an awful lot of pigeons in La Palma     And a lot of fish in the market in Funchal

 

 

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A Nursery School in Cadiz                                   The sunsets were gorgeous!

Sunday 10 June 2012

HOMEWARD BOUND

It really is time I posted another blog - where do the days go to? I suppose its all the jollifications we've had over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee that has totally confused me as to what the day of the week it is! However, here are some photos from the last two stops on our cruise. I think they were my favourite places - Madeira was so lovely, full of flowers, and Cadiz had so much history and a beautiful old town. The Jacaranda trees were in bloom along Funchal's wide avenues. The cathedral had some delightful embellishments! The fruit and vegetable market was very colourful............ ........... as were the flowers. Scorpion fish in the fish market didn't attract me! I don't know if the photo will enlarge if you click on it, but they have very sharp teeth!! Our last port of call was Cadiz, in Spain. I loved it! We were berthed practically in the town, just disembark, go through the Port Gate and there we were! Cadiz skyline This is the Post Office! Bit grander than most of our own dear Royal Mail establishments! One of the many squares in the town There were lots of fountains around - I felt cooler just looking at them! Hope you've enjoyed looking at my holiday photos - it seems rather a long way away now.