Distracted Elsewhere

I am remiss, for many are the days I have said, “I must blog today” and equal are the days I found myself distracted elsewhere. The spring sprung, the grass grew, and rose higher and higher, and the mower mowed desperately in a state of catch up. For a short while yellow became the new green, at least for my lawn, but as with all things that grow it took no time at all for the neglected lawn to regain its former verdant state. The weeds laughed and mocked from the borders behind me; the more I pulled, the more shot forth from the ground. The longest day came and went, and now we plummet aimlessly toward the shortest day. My life seems governed by these two solstices, I spend six months of the year dreading the Winter Solstice as it approaches, the days shorten and nights lengthen. Then, for the next six months, I dread the approaching Summer Solstice, for that is the time the plunge back into the longer, darker nights begins. Of course, this means that for eight months of the year I may justify an indulgence in large mugs of steaming hot chocolate with a dash of chilli or a nip of brandy to comfort me in the dark days.

I wish with all my heart I could report that the weather is kinder now that summer is upon me, but sadly we seem stuck in the old, familiar rut of yet another ‘traditional British summer’ of rain and wind. My beautiful hollyhock was recently found lying down, having a rest for it could no longer fight against the unexpected Force 6 that came from nowhere. The paths are strewn with soggy rose petals, ripped from the bud, and my Papaver Orientalis Coral Sea, so beautiful for a few short days succumbed to the rains and ended up looking like chewed paper.

While much of the country has basked in a heat wave, I considered building an Ark. Gentle reader, I jest not when I report that the rain has been of near Biblical proportions, interspersed with the odd thunderstorm. However, a few days of magnificent, mellow sunshine pierced the gloom and for a short while my garden bloomed forth in picturesque delight. So, I share with you some images captured with my lens, a fleeting memory of yet another summer that did not quite happen.

Verbena with Alchemilla Mollis

Rose Princess Elizabeth with Rain

Lavender 'Little Bee'

Nigella with Allium

Foxglove in the Rain

Dianthus

Monkshood

Rose Frances E Lester

Rosa Rugosa

Papaver Orientalis 'Coral Sea'

Lightening Strikes!


and finally . . .
. . . this is what I wish for!