From Small to Large

I mentioned our B & Q bargain box of allium bulbs a week or so ago and showed a few pictures. Most of them have now flowered or are still flowering. There has been quite a selection, some of them are perhaps tricky to recognise as actually being alliums. I had some of these last year. These Allium Siculum are planted in a tub with some lavender behind.

These are planted with other bulbs in some grass around the old swing. The stem and leaves are so delicate they could almost be mistaken for grass.

Then a few more traditional looking alliums.

Then just one white head.

It will be interesting to see what reappears next year.

Snapdragon

Antirrhinums or as commonly known Snapdragons are described as tender perennials. They are usually grown as annuals and I have indeed grown some from seed this year. They are still tiny plants but I have quite a few snapdragons that have survived the winter frosts and are now blooming vigorously. There is one by our door that is looking stunning at the moment.

                                                             

The ones in the back garden include this fabulous red.

The bees are equally keen on them.

Bottoms up!

Memo, Mail, Me on Monday : Snails, Storms and Souvenirs

I'm a little late getting round to posting today. Last week when I waved to Sian and all for the Monday meme the sun was shining on what proved to be a blistering week. This morning we woke up to a wet morning and there have been frequent showers since. Everything looks a little wet including these trailing geraniums.

Which leads me onto tell you about something I learnt this week namely that I had bagged a big bargain. These trailing geraniums and standard geraniums were 2 for £1 when I bought them the week before last in the greengrocers shop. I bought 30 for around our garden, the yard and main garden and a further 12 to decorate the tables at lunch club which we sold at the end of the day. It was not until my visit to the shop this last week that I confirmed  what a bargain I had got. The same plants were now £1.99!

 Back on the subject of rain our garden is also overrun with these little chaps and their slug mates.

It was while talking about these slugs and snails that I learnt something else new. I heard how a longstanding friend sneaks out after dark to catch as many as she can of these little fellows and then dumps them in the field. My methods I am afraid are a lot more harsh!

 Mail has been thin on the ground this week but we have received a number of holiday souvenirs from returning relatives.

My mum and sister have been in Cornwall. They brought us some tasty pasties which were eaten before my camera came out. Then they gave us these apt egg cups.

I've tried them out for size and they cope well with a double yoker! 

Then there was some Cornish chutney and some honey from brother in law and sister in law who have had a sunny week in Pembrokeshire.

So now we have had some rain to help the crops along let's hope for another sunny week for all of us.

Feed Time

The other evening I accompanied Older Daughter to feed her cattle. I could only get a rear end view because of the position of the low sun.

The cattle were intent on eating their food.

Then there was just enough light left to see and photograph the new foal.

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Cécile Brunner

The Cécile Brunner climbing rose has been a favourite of mine for many years. It was created in 1881 in France.

It is described by David Austin as vigorous which I would most certainly agree with.

We planted it to grow up the children's old swing and it is definitely doing a good job of that. It is also described as virtually thornless which if you happen to be ducking under it when mowing the lawn you definitely wouldn't agree with! 

Monty obligingly posed under it for me and then decided it was good place for a longer rest on such a hot day.

A Photo a Week Challenge: Golden Hour

The subject for Nancy's A Photo a Week Challenge is the Golden Hour, the hour before and after sunset. I had chosen these photos to show today before I realised I could use them for the challenge. On Wednesday night I accompanied older daughter when she went to feed her cattle. The sun was just catching behind the trees giving a lovely colour.

Take Three Thursday: A Dusty Roll

On a Thursday I join Mary Lou in choosing three photos with a theme. This week as I have already mentioned I have been catching up with a lot of gardening. One or other of the cats often like to follow me around in the garden.

I was fetching the wheel barrow for the grass cuttings when I came across Tiggy. He was busy having a nice dust bath in the field.

Ahh! Now that feels a lot better.

Pause for Thought

I am taking a moment to pause and think about all those affected by the terrible atrocities in Manchester. There is so little one can say other than that I am thinking of and praying for those injured, traumatised and bereaved in the last two days.

Cheeky Lambs

Today is a bit of an experiment. I took this video of the pet lambs the other day. It is quite amusing and soporific to watch. I have shared it with friends on Facebook and thought I would share it with you. I have never posted a video before so am interested to hear if you can view it okay.

Memo, Mail, Me and Monday : Pea Sticks

Good morning on what is proving to be quite a sunny morning at the moment. A customer has just been in for 7 trays of eggs ( a lot of people buy them for their neighbours and friends!) and he assured me that the weather is set fair for the week. That's better than the forecast was predicting last week.

So it's a sunny wave to Sian and all the other Monday bloggers. It's rime to review what's been happening here over the weekend.

 The post has been more interesting than some weeks. I couldn't wait to post all about Monty's special delivery which you can read about here. There has also been a parcel arrived for a little boy who is going to be two next week. It's waiting to be dispatched and I couldn't possibly tell you what it is because you never know .....he might just read my blog!

So let's move onto what is new around here. It's been a lot of new planting this weekend. The sweet peas are in and in need of something to climb up so it was off in search of pea sticks. 

You can see that we soon had a good load up. 

I decided to walk back as it wasn't very far. This gave me a chance to photograph a patch of bluebells I had spotted on the way.

Then the view with the evening light across the fields.

I was not far behind to do gate duty.

The sticks are now in place and will look better when the sweet peas begin to grow.

Needless to say we didn't use all the sticks. A lot are destined for use for sweet peas and peas in the vegetable garden.

So wishing you all a sunny, productive and cheerful week ahead.

Looking Down the Garden

The garden is at that in between scruffy stage at the moment. The spring bulbs are over and there is a lot of tidying and planting to do. I have made a start and yesterday I nipped out between showers of rain to do a bit more. The ceanothus bush is looking grand at the moment but is threatening to take over the whole garden. We were discussing how we bought it as a tiny plant from a stall on the harbour in Penzance. A lovely reminder of a great holiday 4 years ago.

A few sheep are in the field at the bottom of the garden which I always enjoy seeing.They are not often there but are a few ewes who were late to lamb. The last lambs have been born so that's it for this year. 

Getting Comfy

Socks the cat kept me company while I was sotmg some of my bedding plant seedlings.

There are still a lot in the conservatory.

Then as predicted Socks found himself a really comfy spot in Monty's new bed.

He is certainly well camouflaged!

A New Bed

All the family have been talking about getting Monty a new bed. They have all had in mind a big cushion for him to use in the kitchen and conservatory. I must admit I wasn't sure he needed one however Farmer Daughter decided to order him one. It arrived today while I was out.

Monty certainly seems pleased with the purchase.

Take Three Thursday: Blue

I am joining Mary Lou with her Thursday meme where you choose three photos with a theme. Today I have chosen 3 blue flower pictures that I have taken over the last few weeks. They are in 3 different locations.

1. In the bluebell woods.

2. In my mum's garden.

3. In my garden.