Trying not to mind...

That this summer is panning out rather like the last and that my pictures are just the same. Lots to enjoy though while the rain pours down and the wind blows. I feel a film and an afternoon read coming on. Stay dry xxx

All About the Garden

At the moment, my favourite time of the day is just about 7.05am. The house is still quiet, the kettle is on the hob and I pull on my wellies with my pyjamas and go out into the garden.

First job is to let out the hens, feed and water them and then there's a quick five minutes to say good morning to my garden. And at the moment everything is just about to come into it's prime.

The patio pots are all a little green and quiet this week. I've re-potted them, replacing the tulips and primulas with the cosmos, ammi majus and nasturtium seedlings I've nurtured through our Arctic spring. A couple more weeks and there should be a really good show and this lull means the borders get to really stand out.

Everything is pretty crammed in and will probably be a flop by the end of July but for now it looks just how I love it; abundant and fit to burst. This damp, humid weather we're having this week is just what the plants need to really hit the top of their form. There's so much colour to come.

Some things have happened by accident really, like the geranium that's made itself at home next to the bleeding heart. I couldn't have planned it better if I tried. I love this other accidental combination too of self-sown lime achimilla, lovely rosy pink astrantia and the regal purple of the alliums just going over.

The honeysuckle on my cheapo arch is looking really mature now too and there are tons of buds. Just hope I get some balmy evenings to sit by and enjoy it.

I'm not out for long but it really sets me up for my day stuck at my desk in the city.

And at the other end of the day 7.05pm looks like this sometimes from my bedroom window. Happy Valley!

Between the Mountains and the Sea

My blog is becoming a little like a travelogue, but that's no bad thing. Now our boys are growing a little bigger (and far too quickly) they love an adventure away and we're at that place where you can chuck a few things in the car and take off, stretch the occasional bedtime until dusk and eat whatever takes your fancy.

 

So with the forecast looking stunning for this past weekend we packed our tents and went west to Wales, to the north coast of the lovely Lleyn Peninsula, the very top bit that sticks out like a finger into the Irish Sea, backed by the mountains of Snowdonia.

Quiet paths led us to stunning beaches, past golden gorse and emerald fields, all set against the bluest horizon and a glittering sea. This footpath led from the campsite to their private beach and we sat here for a couple of hours with it all to ourselves, watching the gannets and oyster catchers and three fat seals bobbing in the bay.

We had such a wonderful two days. The sun never went in, the breeze was gentle and I think we've found ourselves a little bit of heaven.

A Brilliant Bank Holiday

Despite the awful weather and a week of the lurgy we made ourselves chuck some things into our battered little caravan and on Saturday trundled North for a long planned stay in the Yorkshire Dales. And blimey it was the best thing we've done for ages!

The sun came out and we visited Woody's childhood holiday haunts at the amazing Brimham Rocks and the very charming Pateley Bridge (where I reckon we had the most delicious fish & chips ever). I couldn't get over the scale and space the rocks covered, acres and acres of weird and wonderful geological monuments with the most astounding views across Nidderdale and beyond. It was absolutely breathtaking.

The forecast was looking so promising for Sunday we made a break for the coast to Staithes. I've longed to visit here and it was just wonderful, picturesque and peaceful. But even on a beautiful day I could imagine how rough and dramatic it must be when the gales howl.

It was the most perfect day of watching the tide creep in, boys making new friends, eating more fish & chips and feeling the sun warm us right through. Never thought we'd be spending a day on the beach. I feel so lucky that we did.

We spent the Bank Holiday exploring a stunningly green gorge (which was a bit hair raising with an overactive 6 year old if I'm honest) but unforgettable. Later we visited a place I've read and studied  about for years but haven't ever got to visit before.

Fountains Abbey was one of the greatest monastic houses in Britain during the Middle Ages. At university I was completely absorbed by the whole world of the Cistercian monks and how their English houses came to dominate.

 

My dad grew up in the city with a small Cistercian monastery underneath his school with finds and even skeletons being dug up on his estate. His stories sparked my interest in medieval history and I did my first ever bit of archaeology at that tiny site as a volunteer, so seeing its big sister was pretty overwhelming for me.

The boys mostly enjoyed hurtling around and exploring, but that's what got me started too so all good.

We had such an amazing three days. Even the rain came at the right time, just as we were settling down to bed and for our journey home.

 

A brilliant Bank Holiday. Hope yours was too. xxx

Walking Home

It hasn't really been an easy week. Sickness bugs have laid half the house low and the other half of us are tired out too with broken nights and much laundering going on.

 

My little man has found all the disturbance pretty unsettling. Lots to learn about things not always being possible. He's such a caring chap, but he's found it all a bit hard this week.

I worked from home to after my bigish boy while Woody was out on jobs when he'd recovered. Flat lemonade, cuddles and plenty of Star Wars made the world of difference.

 

And I got to pick little man up from school!

This doesn't happen all that much these days but I still get to drop him off a lot. But I really miss hometime, that hurtle out of school and the thud into your arms with a massive smile and a grubby face.

So I asked A which way he wanted us to walk home and he picked wooded route him and Daddy have found but I don't know all that well. "This is the Steepy Steepy way home mummy, because it is steep."

 

Just to hear him singing along to himself and rattling on with me was really precious. "What a lovely day mummy" he said when we came out of the trees into the sunshine. Oh if only you could bottle that!

 Not sure how many more days like this there'll be when you feel a little hand slip into yours, stop to look at dandelions and wonder how the yellow bits turn into fluffy stars or smell how stinky wild garlic really is up close.

Quite a lot more yet I really hope. xxx 

A Grand Day Out

Sunday was such a lovely day up here. We fancied a trip out and ended up at Chatsworth; the playground for the boys while Grandma and I had a good old saunter around the gardens.
 

I was ever so tempted to paddle in the Cascade, it was properly hot and now I'm even sporting a bit of a pink nose incredibly. We got so distracted by the water we completely missed the kitchen garden, which was a bit of a shame, but we really enjoyed just wandering where our feet took us.

There aren't all that many flowers, there's more landscaping than planting really, but these tulips were amazingly vibrant close to the mansion.

They had a great time climbing and exploring the sculptures. To be honest I'm not absolutely sure they were really supposed to do this, but that's daddy in charge for you! Very sorry Chatsworth.

Look at that bright blue sky! Perfect, lovely. A happy day x

A Bit of Sun and Rain

Fresh eggs. 

 Spring flowers.

Evening light in the garden.

Simple things on plates and a lazy afternoon with my lovely sister, brother-in-law and my fantastic little nephews.

Flowers and a frock. Smashing weekend.