The Garden

June 09 and, after a prolonged warm and dry spell, the garden is looking thirsty and some of the main season flowers are beginning to come out. The wild valerian is in full riot on the outer bank while, inside the garden, the scene is dominated by four sorts of campanulae set off by one or two strong colours: the dianthus deltoides being especially strongly coloured.

The rock roses - or wock woses - are producing their daily ration of fried egg-like flowers, littering the soil with their petals. They do seem to last for ever.

The shrubs, too, are making an effort with the philadelphus producing a splash of white flowers, the roses brightening up the merry hedge and the tree poppy about the burst into flower.

The cold winter is almost forgotten and plants that had a tough spring are beginning to show signs of growth.

Select the link on the right to see the pictures.

May and the aubretia is over its first flowering and being given a haircut. On the bottom terrace, the lithodora is provides a blue ribbon along the stones; the Jerusalem sage is bursting into flower; the cistus is putting out its first small fried egg-coloured flowers.

The outer bank is almost under control with the ajuga struggling to make its presence felt above the ivy; the yellow geums are at full height; Mexican - or Spanish - daisies are everywhere and the lychnis and foxgloves are beginning to flower

Two new pots have been planted up with a riot of different foliage and flank the front door.

Around the garden the pierises are giving a kaleidoscopic show of reds, whites and greens, changing from week to week. The stars of the show is the azalia in the front garden which is brighter than ever before, set alongside the weigela which is just coming into flower.

March, and the aubretia and camellias suddenly burst into life. The aubretia wastes no time in filling the terraces with colour although it has not yet learned that it is meant to spill over the edge of the terrace and carpet the wall in purple, red and blue.

The camelias are particularly good this year, producing lots of flowers which sadly last only a very short time.

The House

March 09: A wonderful new fireplace and wood burner have been installed and look as though they have always been there. Much to our surprise, and the builders' as well, the mirror is plumb central over the new feature.

The statue of Hesitation - great granny - takes her place alongside the granite hearth while one off the samovars sits on the other side.

Surely this, at last, is the end of the major building work.