Another glorious day.

It is another lovely day today and I feel almost guilty that we can enjoy such perfect weather in safe surroundings when the Japanese have so much tragedy and unimaginable worry to contend with. I decided to stroll round the garden to see what new things there are to see and am surprised by how much things have developed in just a few days. The little primula above is just coming into flower - I love the gold edging to it's petals - is it called 'Gold Lace'?

The pulmonaria is forming a good clump against the wall here. (Note to self: tidy up all those dead bits before taking photos!!) There are also other clumps dotted around the garden.

The aubretia is doing it's stuff on the rockery. I have tried to grow some of the other more interesting coloured varieties but this one is the only one which will settle in and stay for another year. I think our soil is not well drained enough inspite of all my efforts.

There should have been a whole row of these lovely anemone blanda along one side of the pond. I think I must have been a bit too quick off the mark to replant the area when the pond was enlarged, as some of the soil had to be removed when the paved edging was done and I think the anemone corms went with it. I wondered why there is only one clump by the pond, but others are popping up all over the place!

I had a morning cuppa outside in the sun and then went out again at lunchtime, even though I needed a jacket on. It was so lovely to hear the birds singing and bumblebees buzzing and to my amazement I caught sight of this beautiful Peacock butterfly sunning itself on the clematis montana. I went straight in to fetch the camera half expecting it to have gone on my return, but it was still there.............

............ and almost immediately the one above (is it a comma? I can never remember) landed on the rocks of the water feature. What a treat. I hope they haven't woken up too soon.

.

It's been a really good week this week. I think I am coming out of my doldrums and beginning to feel like myself once more. I have shaken off that awful lethargy which has dogged me for months, and although I am a bit tired today, it is because I have had a very busy week. I decided to give an informal lunch to mark my birthday on Thursday as I knew that two of our daughters had time off from work. The other two were free as well and although our son had to work during the day, he dropped in later. One brave son-in-law joined us and I was thoroughly showered with gifts, cards, flowers and the best company. It is hard to remember these days of catering for two, that for some years I produced three meals each day for seven without a seconds thought. Now it's a question of: Is that too much/will it be enough/shall I do some extra/I can always freeze the leftovers. Well, it was enough and we didn't have any leftovers. A most enjoyable and satisfactory day - the lunch was pretty good too, even if I 'says it as shouldn't'!