Just a Smidgen Cooler

It feels slightly cooler today, cool enough to lift me out of my stupor of the last few days and inspire us to get out for a short walk whilst it was overcast with a softly cool breeze.  Trentham as usual I'm afraid as we didn't want to travel far and it's just down the road.  

After the wildflowers shown in my last post I was looking at the more formal flowers in the small show gardens this time. 

First the Reedmace or bulrush by the lake

Lots of lovely colours and shapes

Now back home, I have laundry drying outside and Paul is mowing some of the grass which had grown quite high in places.  

Yesterday, early morning we did manage to make a Summer Pudding. Strawberries, Raspberries, Cherries and Blackberries.

We ate a portion this evening with a scoop of ice cream.  It was cool and delicious.

It's probably going to get hot again this week but I've really enjoyed the cooler air today and the short respite from the heat.  We really do need some rain.

In the Garden

 It's been far too hot to work or even sit in the garden this last few days.  The pop up gazebo was put up last Saturday but was only used until Monday when it became far too hot even in the shade to be outside until about eight o'clock in the evening. 

The warmer weather has encouraged everything to flower.  We are inundated with foxgloves.

Bees love them.

The yellow rose bush we inherited when we first moved here has had more flowers on it than I have ever seen before.  I'm not sure what type it is but the flowers have a lovely scent and progress from dark yellow to almost white as they mature.

Yellow Flag Iris in the pond.  They have taken over again this May.  Each year they get thinned out.  These too were inherited from the previous owners.

They and the other plants are draining the pond so we have had to top it up from the rainwater butts.

Also in the pond we've had Damselflies flitting around.  Two pairs.  

I think these are the more common Large Red Damselflies.

It was interesting to see them using the pond over several days.

There are loads of little apples forming on the apple tree.  I guess a lot of these will drop but it's good to see them after all the lovely blossom.

Strawberries, gooseberries, elder flower and sweet peas are on the way.  

Last but not least my very favourite plant the Philadelphus  Belle Etoile or 'Mock Orange'.  I'd wanted one for ages and we bought this last year.  Many years ago I worked in a 15th century hall and behind our museum office was a herb garden bordered by a mock orange hedge. The scent in the air as we made our way across the courtyard to the museum stores was wonderful.  I looked forward to it flowering each year.

There is so much to enjoy and  look forward to in the garden.  Much needed to calm the mind and lift the spirits in this very uncertain world.

All for now.

Mostly Pink and Blue

 Around the garden the colours are mostly pink and blue.  

The Tamarisk tree will fade to the palest, softest pink.

Whilst the Rhododendron will fade from dark pink, to pale pink then white.

Clematis Montana

and Bistort carry on the colour theme.

Blue is represented by the perennial Cornflower

and Forget-me-Not which has spread all over the garden as well as the paths.  Bluebells have faded now but they too shone blue in parts of the garden.

Long sticky stems of Cleavers or goosegrass are winding their way up into the shrubs and hedges.  Wood avens has also taken hold in some areas.  Dandelions are all over adding bright yellow to the mix until their soft downy clocks appear.

 

There is much to do.

 All for now. Take care.

Blossom

Glorious pink Blossom and blue skies, you'd be forgiven for thinking all is well with the world.  It's so wonderful to see.  I look forward to this display each year along the bank the River Trent by the Trentham Garden Centre.

The Magnolias across the river in the gardens are looking lovely too.

Although still chilly in the mornings the days have been glorious.  Walks have been taken.  Gardening done, washing has dried outside.  Days are filled with ordinary things and routine tasks, I'm trying to savour these days as they pass by so quickly.  

All for now.

A Few things from the last week

 In the garden Spring is in the air.

The Amelanchier just outside the conservatory window was full of blossom, although the winds of the last few days have started to blow petals all over the plants below.  They drift around like little snowflakes.

The Bridal Wreath (Spirea) is also covered in blossom, not as much as in previous years.  

Our night time visitors are still around.  Arriving at dusk, they are easily spotted.  I love the way they feel safe enough to sit for a while before moving on.

Mr Badger (Paul's photo)

and the two foxes (Paul's photo)   I wonder if they have cubs this year?  I hope so.

Earlier in the week we visited the Derbyshire town of Belper.  We were there to catch up with two of my relatives, who both live in the town.  One, who is now a sprightly 89, is the daughter of my grandmother's youngest brother.  The other is the granddaughter of my grandmother's sister.  We exchanged family news and had a lovely meal at a place called Denby Lodge, in the pottery village of Denby.

More foxes and badgers on the Derwent Duck by Rebecca Morledge.  This was one of the Ducks in the Amber Valley 'Ay up me Duck' trail.  Other ducks can be found across the town and also in the towns of Heanor, Ripley and Alfreton.

We visited Hem Heath Woods again to see if the bluebells were in flower.  They were, although some paths had been closed to stop people and dogs trampling on the delicate blooms.

As well as Bluebells there was loads of Yellow Dead Nettle

Lesser Celandines

 and these little white flowers, I'm not sure what they are but Stitchwort comes into my mind.  Does anyone know?

A last Springtime photo 

Female Mallard and her four little ducklings at the Peak Wildlife Park.

All for now, have a good weekend.