Even with the French windows open, the scent of sweet peas from the vase is very noticeable. Marjoram and echinops complete the display.
Month: July 2024
“I’ll be 70 next year, you know …”
Renewal of assorted cards is usually just routine and done without thought, but the “Senior” Railcard always comes as an unwelcome reminder of increasing age. When I come to renew my “OAP” Bus Pass, no doubt it will be the same.
garden bits
The first morning glory flower has opened – it’s the dark blue “Grandpa Ott”. Rather late – though last year was just into August – as in some years it’s been near the beginning of June.
better late than never …
Very late this year! As usual, it’s the heritage variety “Cupani” – the original sweet pea, discovered in 1695 and still my favourite. Shorter stems than most modern varieties, and always later to flower, I love the colours and the scent is magnificent!
pink and purple
Pinky-purple in the garden today. The first cyclamen flowers are out – unseasonably early, as I normally think of them as an august/september flower. The wandflowers (dierama) in assorted parts of the garden are at their peak.
A rather difficult last 24 hours.
Yesterday was my Mum’s funeral, followed by a Celebration of her life. All I’ll say about that was a massive thank you to all who contributed in so many different ways.
Today, I lifted the slabs in the centre of the patio, under the table where Chelsea-cat loved to sunbathe, and placed Chelsea’s ashes there.
I’m now done with the immediate processes of loss, and can quietly continue working through the emotions. Legal and suchlike stuff to be dealt with in due course.
garden bits
In the pond, the miniature “bullrushes” (reedmace) have started to shed fluffy seeds. In the wildflower bank behind, scabious is looking glorious, and the fleabane is only just starting to come out – things are very late this year. The assorted clumps of agapanthus in the flowerbeds have nearly reached the perfection of vibrant blue.
Chelsea-cat (sort of) returns
Chelsea-cat’s ashes arrived back here this morning. I’ll wait for a sunny day, then lift the paving slab under the patio table she loved to sunbathe on and scatter them there.
I don’t intend to keep them hanging about – unlike a former flatmate, who had the ashes of both her father and her grandfather under her bed, throughout the several years we shared the flat!
Really not one of the better days …
Over to the venue to confirm details of the Celebration of my Mum’s life. Train late, I was late arriving. Cab back to station held up by traffic- so missed intended train and had to hang about for 50 minutes.
Got home – front door unlocked OK but would not open: multipoint locking fail. Locksmith called – to his credit, he came fast, forced the door, replaced components as needed. Cabs total £130, locksmith £230 … not worried about the train cost of only about £15!
post-election slump
Post-election slump – I didn’t wake up until nearly midday (and then had a nap of over an hour this afternoon). The rest of the day has been intermittent bits of self-pampering. The first homegrown strawberry this afternoon was fantastic – I’d forgotten how much better homegrown is than shop-bought. I fancied a crema catalana for pudding – sadly, I had no oranges so made do with clementines (as walking the hundred yards to the shop did not appeal) with lemon.
