Wednesday 31 May 2017

Tall cat and friend bonus post




The owner of this hat (like Patsy) is not here at present.

Tuesday 30 May 2017

Floriferous frenzy















It's almost too much to take in, this headlong rush into summer.
Even waking at 5 and going in at 9,
there aren't enough hours to absorb all the changes.
Roses bloom and petals drop,
the foxglove spires elongate and fill with bees,
the clematis Wilsonii really does smell of chocolate,
but the honeysuckle is still scentless.Why?
Californian poppies shout for attention.
The white wisteria veil falls again across the Sisisinghurst walls,
a little respite.


A hammock is slung.
The occupant now bound once again for Japan.







Wednesday 17 May 2017

Green and pink



After a briefly warm interlude,


the clouds have rolled back in
and the heavens have opened.


But if we want green, 
and no hose pipe ban,
we're going to need a replenished water table
after the driest April on record.



This little one is back.
We will have her for her first overnight stay soon.
The guest suite has been prepared.


And I managed to finish this jacket before she grew out of it,
but fear it might not meet with her approval
as it is not pink.
Yes, that's the way the land lies despite no obvious gender bias
being put into operation for her clothes, toys or furnishings at home -
up until now, when she is able to make her preferences crystal clear. 
(See pink toenails above.)



Friday 12 May 2017

Looking up








The weather,
(sorry it's all I can talk about at the moment)
is looking up.
Warm enough to shed the 'shmere,
and tempting enough to plant out the tomatoes 
and think about filling the pots, troughs and baskets
which are still full of tulip stalks.
Much though I love Sarah Raven's planting combinations,
it is more economical to take her suggestions to the local garden centre.
I can also choose my moment rather than being worried 
that I won't be here when they arrive and they will shrivel on the doorstep.

The window man is back.
Work has started on replacing our rotten garage doors,
so that's going to be a welcome facelift for the house. 
and quite by coincidence I managed to bump into
Mark Rylance again, while lurking outside The Mousetrap
which I perhaps inadvisedly decided was one of those things 
I ought to have seen by now.
And no, I haven't seen Star Wars or read War and Peace.

We fitted in a trip to Avebury, which was a full winter garb experience
but still very uplifting.






We heard our son's plane fly in over the house this morning.
I looked up but couldn't see it as the clouds have rolled back in,
but it will be lovely to have him back for a little while,
until he takes off again for Japan.

Saturday 6 May 2017

It was all going so well


Lush flowers. 




Blue skies.




Serene swan.


Fresh ferns.



Smiling lambs.


Sparkling sea.


And then the wind changed.


And it has been grim grey ever since,
with a side order of chilly wind
and a return to winter clothing
of which I am heartily sick.

So I took a leaf out of Lotta's book
and culled the towels
and then felt happy for Freda
and anyone else who isn't sitting under a cloud.

Perhaps some of you remember 
I get updates from there from time to time
and have vicariously enjoyed a recent trip 
to the tea plantations of Munnar
and an Ashram at Kurisumala.





Time to pack my bags perhaps.
That will guarantee an improvement in the weather at home.
We are the people who arrive at any destination to be greeted by the words,

'Oh if only you had been here last week. It was glorious.'