Golden Days

Hurrah! One of my favourite television programmes, Springwatch, is back on BBC2. Between looking at little baby birds in nests and searching for the elusive polecat we’re reliably informed that there are a spectacular number of Painted Lady butterflies in the UK right now. All of us who are lucky enough to have gardens, allotments or any outdoor space will have noticed this.

By Friday last week the sun was set to full roast temperature and more reminiscent of Summer Watch on my plot, where my arrival up on the sundeck caused a little flutterbye-butterfly-flurry of no less than seven of these beautiful creatures.

Simple things please me, and this is the simple yet lush-beyond-words sight I enjoyed when holding a large rhubarb leaf up to my face with the sun behind it. Ain’t nature wonderful?!!

Back at home, in my little patch of front garden the Ceanothus that I pruned back very hard last year is now in fully glorious blue flower.


These golden days continued right through the weekend. We had one of our regular working parties at the allotments on Sunday. These are times when we all pitch in to work on communal areas, then enjoy a barbecue afterwards. I arrived to see Russell on the shed roof, cutting back the Russian vine with allotment-dad John (our reluctant guru) and lovely Gaynor.

I got a wee bit nervous when I could see John’s feet very close to the roof edge while he pulled and cut at the tenacious vine! My allotment neighbours, Myra and Derek, provided some fabulous vegetarian skewers - a wonderful barbecue treat for me. Susan made delicious Mexican cinnamon shortbread and has promised to email me the recipe which I’ll share with you.
After eating and drinking our fill Mr T led the singing of some fine Irish songs.


On Monday the continuous sun had really brought the poppies out in force

Red poppies and sorrel

And ripened some of my very large strawberries.


By Wednesday the weather had turned cooler and cloudy but the veg is progressing nicely.Broad beans

Shallots

Red onions

The peas are flowering!


Lollo Lettuces

Swiss chard

First blackcurrant fruits


After a few days of rain and drizzle the plot is now well-watered and the weather is brightening up again. Perfect conditions for growing vegetables, but also for the weeds so there will be lots to do over the coming week. I’ll keep you posted.

Love Golden Days
Love Life
XXX