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.

Golden Glory and a bit of Jane

I know, you wait for ages then two posts come along on the same day but I just had to show you this photo. It was taken last night when we had one of the most glorious sunsets I've ever seen.

Actually no reproduction could do it justice as the colours changed so quickly from yellow to gold and then to orange before turning pink and then dark red before disappearing. I gazed and gazed for ages. Over the back of the house it was almost pitch black but out at the front we had a spectacular display of light and colour.

I've just found this quiz on Rosie's Wuddled Murds blog and I couldn't resist having a go seeing as I'm having a rather lazy day to day. Which Austen heroine are you ?

Take the Quiz here!

Still with an Austen theme. Sarah at This Closet isn't Big Enough has started an interesting new blog called A Jane Austen Fan and it is well worth a visit.

Lunch at Ladybower

We arrived at the Heatherdene car park near the dam in brilliant sunshine. I think it may have been one of the warmest November days I have ever experienced. The autumnal colours in the trees and the bright blue of the water were stunning and my photos don't do justice to the clarity of the light or the still atmosphere of the day. We took the walk down towards the dam crossed the road and then walked across to the opposite side.



We took photos and watched the little fishing boats bobbing about on the still water then walked back and ate our packed lunch of cheese and watercress sandwiches and the last of the devil's cake. The final port of call on our way home was the David Mellor factory shop in Hathersage. They had some great craft pottery and desirable kitchen equipment as well as the wonderful cutlery made on the site but this time my purse stayed firmly in my pocket. The Round Building factory is on the same site. Two or three years ago we met up with friends and went on a factory tour, organised for the Heritage Open Days weekend; it really is very interesting and the round building is as impressive inside as out.



After a good look around we set off towards Bakewell, Monyash and Hartington getting home at about 4p.m. just in time to bring the cats in, close the cat flap and 'batten down the hatches' as the fireworks started as soon as it was dark - I think they are very pretty at a properly organised event but the random garden ones I don't like - especially the very loud ones, so I joined the cats in jumping at each loud bang - I didn't end up under the bed with my claws stuck in the carpet though!