VP came to stay and she brought with her the sunshine.  She says that she will never believe me when in future I tweet “it is raining” or even, “It is raining wet welsh rain”.

We basked in the sunshine on Saturday. I wanted to capture the [...]]]>

What a wonderful weekend it was.

VP came to stay and she brought with her the sunshine.  She says that she will never believe me when in future I tweet “it is raining” or even, “It is raining wet welsh rain”.

We basked in the sunshine on Saturday. I wanted to capture the warmth and bottle it, to see me through the winter.

The garden was alive with butterflies and we ate outside. Dobby, VP and I walked the length of the promenade in T-shirts, returning back along the tideline.  Sunday was equally as glorious with a visit to Elizabeth and her garden, alfresco lunch, another walk, this time up “Elizabeth’s Mountain” Our drive home culminated in a magnificent sunset, with the mountains outlined in gold. It was a good visit.

All change now – gone are the T-shirts and I am now in thermal vests and long-johns! I am back at work and the wind yesterday had an Arctic chill.

Hurting my arm was I think a blessing in disguise, for me, if not for the gardens I tend.  This time last year I remember I was absolutely “Running on Empty” but as I have spent the last month in the studio totally ignoring the garden except for saying “Hello you are looking lovely” (You have to say this to the plants as you pass, even if they are in dire need of a haircut) I now feel ready and happy to tackle all the jobs that need doing …. haircuts being one of them! The other major thing will be the big Tulip plant.  Peter Nyssen phoned this morning to say my bulbs should be with me on Monday or Tuesday and when I have finished planting all the customer tulips – That’s it.  I am done in other gardens for this year.

Although there will be more than enough in my own garden to keep me going for a few weeks yet ……