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:
Last night’s sunset was beautiful.
It was so hot (28C) today, too hot to work at Community Roots but I had baked a cake for the volunteers so I went along to deliver it to the few hardy (or foolhardy) folks who were there doing their thing. They were glad to have some ginger cake to look forward to!
Mary Berry’s Gingerbread Traybake
It’s only three days since I planted the seed bombs and two of them are sprouting already.
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.
The Stedelijk Museum was fascinating, I’d been looking forward to seeing the Karel Appel works, 
We later found a wonderful painting bursting with joy, Bal Tabarin by Jan Sluijters.
and discovered a room full of protest art work.
When in the gift shop, I found the perfect gift for Sue-next-door who looked after our place while we were away. I bought us a miniature egg box full of seed bombs too. Today, I have followed instructions and ‘planted’ them. We’ll look forward to seeing what comes up!
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 our first day we had a canal cruise which gave us a good idea of the architecture of Amsterdam and a bit of a feel for the layout of the city and later we visited the old church, Oude Kerk which dates back to 1306, with its countless tombstones set in the floor, its wonderful windows, a beautiful organ and some delightful carvings in the 15th century choir stalls. Enjoy the gallery and click on a photo for the explanatory caption.
The city’s oldest bell 1450
A new iris has appeared in the garden. We didn’t plant it but love its delicate colouring. 
Commentator Award
