Still some colour.

We do have some colour in our garden and  these larger Michaelmas daisies have survived!

And this lily has bloomed too but sorry I can't think of its name!

There are dahlias and Asters and some self seeded Nicotiana, so not all are dead.

Our tomatoes are ripening at last and we've had some Greek Salad meals with them and there were delicious!

Amazingly this little frog has lived between the tomato pots all through the hot summer months.

Our front pots are looking very pretty.

We've had all our hedges cut this week they had grown too tall, so we've had them cut by 8cm.. and they needed it.

But the garden is dry and we've lost some really pretty plants, but there's always next year!

I've tried not to get despondent about the garden, but it is very big love of mine and I could cry when I look at the dried up shrubs. Dh has watered the pots every night so they are still looking alright. And that self seeded California Poppy is still flowering!! So that's what I'll sow next year too!

How has your survived?  And we've had rain, at last!

Chrisxx

Panic!!

 We had the Nationwide alert this evening on our phones and the message came through all in Welsh!! Well, yes we're attempting to learn Welsh, but we're only just starting our 3rd year.. Oh heck what does it flipping well mean??

We recognised one of the leading words, 'gan' It's a fire alert I said, then reading through we recognised the names of towns.. I quickly switched on my laptop and searched for 'Alert' and there it was AB advising the dangers of open fires etc and  then again the Alert came through this time in English!! Phew! 

I can well understand why people in WW2 felt panicky when the Sirens sounded warning about air raids. 

So our new Prime Minister, Andy Burham has spoken to the Nation!

Gosh that sound did make us feel panicky.

What did you think?

Chrisxx

Falling!

 Ugh!! I'm not usually afraid of spiders but don't go out of my way to love them!

Yesterday I nearly did what I always dread, over balancing in the bathroom while in the 'nud!

I keep my shower cap hanging on the side of the towel rail, I picked it up and went to put it on and this little fella, (or one like it)  fell out down on to my boob!!

I screamed and went to jump back and over balanced and nearly fell. I don't know how I did it, but I managed to grab the basin and kept upright.

Dh came rushing in and put his arms around me. He thought I'd tripped on the bath mat, and had quite a fright. When I said it was a spider, he just smiled. I had to shout,  'it fell on to my boob.'

'Cheeky thing,' he said.

I did have a dreadful fright and now  will check inside my shower cap, each time,  before going to put it on! I'm sure you'd have had a fright too?

Chrisxx

Back!!

 Its lovely to see plums on our Victoria plum tree. we had a few last year,  but this year its loaded. We shall just eat them altho if there is enough, I wouldn't mind making some Spiced Plum Jam with walnuts, a favourite of mine.

I've pulled up my big girl pants and got on with things by cleaning, and sorting out some clothes and shoes for the charity shop. In fact the shoe 'grave' yard under my chair in the bedroom was my first task! Nine pairs all tried on and discarded for one reason or another and gathering dust! Some went back into the bottom of my wardrobe, some out and new bought and never worn in the bag for the charity shop! And I feel better for doing it as well as tidying one section of my ward robe.

It was like a perfect summer afternoon yesterday, only 20C and we've had some rain, so a lot cooler and we had our French doors open, enjoying the breeze and the sunshine.

Our beautiful 'Susan' rose continues to bloom and give us joy.

 Has it cooled down where you are and have you had rain?

Chrisxx

In the dumps!

 I've neglected my blog and reading blogs, the hot weather has really got to me.. the garden is looking as sad as I've been feeling, I've been down in the dumps!

We have been out, but hurried home before the midday temps as 28C and even 24C is just too hot. 

The AC in Costa, which we have always complained about as being too cold, has been as welcome relief, when we have had to go to town for anything!

Dh has been so good watering the pots, tomatoes and our small veg patch with watering cans, even though we don't have a hose pipe ban. All the garden is looking dry and there are crisp leaves on the ground, except that self seeded California Poppy, which is thriving and even more flowers have appeared! What magic has it got to survive without watering??

I've been listening to this book from the library through Borrow Box. Sad and  poignant about an 89 year old man Bo, his aging and increasing fraility and his carers and love for his dog Sixten. 

When it starts to become obvious, that he is unable to care for his dog, not being able to take him for walks, his son Hans steps in to suggest that Sixten should go.

The feelings of Bo, his look back at life and relationships are heart rendering.. so lovely, yet sad.

I am thoroughly enjoying the story and would recommend it to anyone, whether you read the book or listen to someone reading it to you.

Chrisxx