I’m revamping my herb garden as the plants have gotten rather woody and less than perfect for cooking with. I’ll fill the gaps with some Lobelia for the summertime.
Purple sage
Creeping thyme
Our coal-house, which hasn’t seen coal in many years and has been a store shed, is now full of the kit needed by the installers of our solar panels on Monday.
Scaffolding went up at the side of the house today in preparation for solar panels being put on our roof next week – not very beautiful but very pleasing.
All day there has been a buzzing from our Crinodendron that is full of crimson lanterns and countless bees and other pollinators. This evening I tried to capture the sound for you. You’ll need your volume turned up.
It’s good to see and hear bees busy in the garden.
We love our ginger lily which comes back year after year.
The blossom bombs are developing well. I don’t yet reconise any of the leaves.
We have had to protect our new greenhouse from the extreme heat of the last few days (Camborne, our neighbouring town was the hottest in the country overnight 21.4C which is a very pleasant day time temperature but far too hot for sleeping!) and our baby lettuces are doing very nicely.
We love the colour combination here of the orange begonia, purple aquilegia and yellow poppies.
I love this:
In 2014 we went to a Boat Jumble and, though we had nowhere to put it, I bought a beautifully decorated boat sink. It has been in the garden ever since! A couple of days ago, I planted the seed bombs I bought in Amsterdam, in a large pot but then realised that I needed that pot for a teepee of Sweet Peas so I have moved the bombs, which are just beginning to split, into the sink.
Our Crinidendron Hookerianum (Chilean Lantern Tree.) is spectacular this year.
I love the purple iris against the red of the lanterns on said Chilean Lantern Tree.
The Night Watch by Rembrandt being cleaned, love the t-shirts
Miniature kitchen in one of the dolls’ houses
I Love this jacket!
Taken from the Eurostar on the way home after a brilliant holiday with our very good friends.
Wisteria in our garden
Wisteria in Amsterdam
Having missed Community Roots for two weeks while we were on holiday, the growth of everything in the poly-tunnels was wonderful to see.
I spotted a little pollinator where I was working today.
We visited many galleries when in Amsterdam and here are a few of my favourite paintings.
I loved this one as it reminded me of my lovely Dad’s beautiful beard.
Isaac Blessing Jacob by Govert Flink 1615-1660
There’ll be more.
On one of our walks around Amsterdam we came across an alley lined with arches and in each a book store. They were so tall, a very long ladder was needed to reach the higher shelves. 
As you will probably know, bikes are an important mode of transport in Amsterdam. Pedestrians really need to keep themselves very aware of the silent speeding velocipedes, bells being very few and far between! It was lovely to see whole families riding, the baby in a baby cart, the toddler on a frame in the front and children of all ages cycling along. There were also flower decorated bikes.
Parking for many bikes
WEdding bike
I really wanted to try Dutch Apple Cake and succeeded – one more a pie and one with a crumble topping – both absolutely delicious. We also shared a scrumptious tiramisu after an excellent Italian meal in Antonio’s.
Click on any photo to see the bigger version.
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