As some of you know, MasterB has not been very happy in our garden for some time. The problem, or rather problems, being the local cats who have designs on his territory.
However, last week in the few unseasonably warm days we enjoyed, he sat outside with me while I got on with some work and he was obviously relaxed, obviously content. It was like having my cat back again. I hope we have more days like these in the summer when it comes.
With bluebells
Showing his stripey jumper
It’s been warm and sunny all weekend, but there is a quality to the light that speaks of autumn.
I don’t have to go far to see autumn colours. They are right here in our garden.
Turning
Most of the summer my night and early morning routine has included filling watering cans and soliticiously making sure the tomato plants had enough to drink. That reminds me we have had warm, even hot, days this year, hard to remember now when it feels more like late October than early September. Last night I went to bed in my winter pyjamas. I am back in socks, long trousers, jumpers and even a coat.
But each day, despite the gloom, we harvest. That watering has paid dividends. The basil has been bushy for weeks; the lemon balm is suddenly looking promising after months of being undersized and weak; the thyme, planted last summer, is absolutely settled and expanding; and the parsley, recovered from its infestion of white fly, is green and plentiful. The green beans are nearly over – though I ate one last night – the peppers are ripe and hot.
But its the tomatoes who are the stars. We have about eight plants; different varieties; some small, some large; some yellow, some red. And all delicious.
Just look.
Big Red and Beautiful
I love this one so much I can hardly bear to eat it. Maybe I’ll photograph it being cut in half and incorporated into salad when I do. It is becoming redder and redder sitting in the kitchen.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
I am guessing Uncle Bill will like this photo from last night the best, not for its technical skill (it doesn’t have any), but he seems to enjoy the ones of MasterB looking less than suave.
not a dignified pose
I prefer the ones I took today in the garden. This picture for instance.
tail up
The route to our destination divided into parts. First I walked the couple of hundred yards down the road to Celia’s flat. I met her husband Charlie at the gate, off to watch some cricket. I’d already paused to photograph lilies and a poppy, and then found the garden at the flats a sea of white marguerites. Still in their pots, they are apparently destined for a promotion one of Celia and Charlie’s neighbours is involved with.
We set off on foot, seeing a couple of neighbours going about their Sundays. A pause at the local garden farm while Celia used the loo, and I left some flyers.
The farm has fabulous wisteria.
We wanted to get to the venue early as Celia had two spare tickets, and we also wanted to eat locally. we had loads of time, so we dropped by the local city farm.
Supper tonight at Octavia’s and some very bad pictures of the Grey Ninja who swarmed up her catwalk, slid behind the frothy blossom of next door’s tree and disappeared to her own private hunting grounds. She did make a sudden and rather speedy return, and when we stood up we saw a grey tabby following her. He changed his mind about coming closer in the face of our stares. As I said to the Grey Ninja, next time he asks you ‘you and whose army?‘ you can remind him of tonight.
Bad Photo of Grey Ninja and Pink Blossom
Still no joy with i-Movie and YouTube. I may need an i-Movie upgrade, but it costs around £10 and I want to be sure that’s the problem.
But home from work today and the Cookie Monster invited herself into the flat. MasterB headed for the stairs. I shut Cookie in and took my boy outside.
When I went back in, Cookie had availed herself of the facilities in the bathroom and had a poo. It smelled vile. Time to open the windows and be generous with the lavender room spray. Continue reading
MasterB in the garden yesterday found a new toy.
I have heard the foxes at night quite a lot recently. They have a short, harsh bark. I have seen them in the garden, swift outlines in grey light. But it has been a while since I have seen them during the day.
At lunchtime, I glanced out of the window. MasterB was in the garden. He likes to sit on the wall. But he wasn’t there.
Instead, two foxes. I reached for my camera and approached the window stealthily. One picture through the glass. But their hearing is acute, and they moved. The smaller fox, who must be the vixen, disappearing into a neighbouring garden. The male tunnelling through the remaining greenery to sit on another part of the wall for a few moments before he too disappeared from sight.
