I didn’t plant the iris – it just turned up. Serendipity.
Sunset two nights ago was glorious.
Monthly Archives: May 2022
World Bee Day
May 20th is World Bee Day so I have compiled a gallery of photos of bees from our garden. On 17 November 2017, a resolution was adopted at the UN Economic and Financial Committee to declare World Bee Day.
We have a pollinators border at the allotment and combined with plants in the garden have many of these.
Posted with the permission of Claire Jones www.TheGardenDiaries.blog.
I just love Brian Bilston’s very clever poems.
Reflection and View
It’s always good to sing on Thursday mornings beside the Penryn River. 
There may be a recording later when it arrives in my inbox.
Lunch, Rain and Fat Books
Today I met a friend for lunch for the first time in three years! It was so lovely to spend time together again after so long. We went to a delightful cafe, tucked away down Cornish lanes where we could sit outside in the sunshine.
It rained really hard all afternoon.
I love this! I have so many fat books that are full of memories of the times when I read them, when a friend read them or when my Mum read them – and some that really are full of pressed flowers and leaves. 
Irises, Poppy and A Bee
We are loving our white irises.
When the petals have all fallen off the poppy, this remarkable little beauty is left.
The following photo and info came to me today.
“There is a bee appearing at the moment – it’s bright iridescent blue – details below! Please please DON’T KILL HER !!!
It is indeed a bee that is present in the gardens at the moment. It is called the Xylocope bee. It is the largest bee in Europe (2.5 to 3 cm). It does not sting (if we do not chase it of course). The Xylocope is a so-called “solitary” bee. But it can live in colonies, that is to say side by side. Black with bluish wings … she is very beautiful but can be scary, her flight is fast and very noisy, but she is not aggressive and rarely stings. It is to be protected because it is rare and very useful …. some people confuse it with the Asian hornet !!!
Thank you for circulating …. 
Source: Bruno Deleuze”
Marigolds, Mum and A Poppy
After singing at the eco park this afternoon, this lovely bunch of marigolds in a blue painted trough caught my eye.
My lovely Mum died in 1994 and these words of Tennyson ring true. She was the gardener who inspired me.
Another gloriously orange flower, one of the Californa Poppies.
Nelly Moser, Risotto and A Stranger
Our Nelly Moser is quite magnificent this year. 
The lovely Mr S made us a very tasty Pepper and Pea Risotto with Crispy Chicken for tonight’s meal.
We have a stranger in the garden! He reminds me of Darth Vader each time I catch a glimpse. It’s our sculpture covered up after sanding and prior to re-oiling to protect against the rain.
No Mow May, Daisies, A Pony and Dylan Thomas
We are joining in the No Mow May campaign. As the campaign says, ” Reducing lawn mowing frequency brings benefits: More habitat and food for pollinators, reduced carbon emissions, water conservation, and a more drought-resistant lawn, to name a few!”
Part of our lawn, un-mown
There are many patches of daisies.
The pony in the field behind us is mowing as he goes.
It’s International Dylan Thomas Day.
Thank you to the person who presented Eli Jenkins’ poem as a poster.
Boody Garden, Bee and Petunia
I’ve replanted the Boody garden this afternoon, mostly with violas whose colour lifts everything and whose flowers can go in salads and decorate cakes.
I watched a bee go deep into the iris flowers to collect pollen. Look how much it is carrying.
We have a new petunia plant, just deciding where to put it.
Bonnets, Singing and Bunting
I’m loving the Granny’s Bonnets that are springing up in every border. Here are two of them.
It is so good to be back singing with my choirs. Today with the Suitcase Singers, we sang a beautiful piece – Wild Mountain Thyme – rewritten by Belfast man Frances McPeake in 1957. It is based upon an earlier Scottish folk song ‘The Braes of Balquhidder- written by Robert Tannahill (1774-1810) – and arranged by Claire Ingleheart, our leader.
There is bunting up in the garden next door! 
The following are Sue’s words as her brother returns from 18 months in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey.
“Pete’s home!!!
His journey included voyaging on the Sir David Attenborough from Rothera to the Falklands (via Cornish Island and an icy dip), flight from Port Stanley to Brize Norton, being picked up by his sweetheart Philly and ferried back to Cornwall via Mama and Papa Byrde in Dorset. Preparations here included picking a kilo of asparagus and the wrangling of much bunting”
Welcome home, Pete.
Welcome home, Pete.
