SUNSHINE AND FLOWERS

All at once the flowers which have been lying dormant for so long have sprung into life and the effect is quite beautiful. Mallow,Dog Daisy,and Clover both white and red compete with Purple Vetch, Bugle and Field Geranium to catch the eye.

Over night Sweet William have begun to flower in my garden and Alchemilla's froth of tiny yellow flowers scents the paths edge. Hawthorn blossom is fading now but the Pyracantha  heavy with creamy white flowers,beloved of bees and as fragrant as any Hawthorn has taken its place along with the pretty Cottoneaster

In the orchard tiny green damson fruits are plentiful this year,by the end of August half the village will be making jam from its tart black fruits. I made a rather anxious inspection of our apple tree today and to my delight it has ,this year set a good amount of fruit and a fair harvest is promised coddling moth permitting!

How wonderful to feel the strength of summer sun on to see the bees in larger numbers revelling in the heavy pollen of the clover beds.

When the heat of the afternoon began to scorch me I returned reluctantly to the kitchen there to make another batch of Strawberry jam, many of the bottles are already earmarked as Christmas gifts for friends and neighbours , our helpful friendly deliver men and of course our Postman.

Tomorrow I really must try to pick some Gooseberries, for jam and for the freezer, these little fruits freeze well and make a useful resource during the winter months when fruit becomes expensive in the shops. Damsons, gooseberries, wine berries ,Logan,Tay and Wine berries we ensure a good supply of fruit for pies and puddings in winter, and of course there are the liqueurs to make.

We may have fewer vegetables this year due to the late spring and my bouts of ill health but I shall not fret about that, next year I mean to sow more wild flowers in the orchard to fill the empty beds with colour and to encourage our bees.

The three of us are happier than we have been for some time, my son's writing is keeping him busy and he looks so much more rested and far less stressed, Pa seems to be improving over all, although he still has his moments. He had some very good news yesterday,his consultant is fazing out the drugs he takes to control his epilepsy as he latest test results show a marked improvement.

It seems likely that his condition was brought on by over work and exacerbated by the numerous medications he has been obliged to take. In any event it is good to hear him laughing and joking again,

Our neighbours cat, Harry, a beautiful Ginger Tom of about nine months has manage to wheedle his way in to the house and for the first time both our cats seemed unafraid. He rolled about ecstatically on a rug over which cat nip had been scattered and allowed himself to be stroked, I shall be glad not to have to chase him away as he really is a dear and wants nothing more than to be accepted by out two females and to have someone to play with....fingers crossed.

I made some fish cakes for dinner and served them with a green salad and two sauces,this was followed by a fruit salad which we all enjoyed.

Now as I write both Moth and Twiggy are asleep in my room and seem to have reconciled their differences for the moment,miracles will never cease!