It has been an extraordinary month so far, both with politics in the UK and with the garden and countryside. Everything is changing. We had such lovely warm days in April, but May so far has been very changeable. Last night was very, very cold here in my bit of Brittany, but this morning we have wall to wall sunshine and it feels very warm already. This warmth has already produced good results in the garden, let's hope the unexpected but obvious rapport between the coalition leaders produces equally good results for everyone affected.
Yesterday afternoon, my black and white cat, Alfie came through the cat door miaowing loudly, which is the sign that he is announcing a catch of some description. When I first glanced at him, it looked as if he had a small snake in his mouth, but this turned out to be an unharmed slow worm. It moved very fast and I quickly 'phoned B, who has a house in my garden, to come and rescue it as I didn't feel I wanted to try and pick it up myself. I took photos, B picked it up and placed it in the woodshed which afforded it some protection in the frosty cold of the night.
Alfie - the slow worm catcher
One of my new plants this year is a clematis, Westerplatte, which has the most beatiful dark red velvety blooms.
The horsechestnut blossoms, candles as they are often known, have been lovely over the last few weeks. They look lovely set against the blue sky and I couldn't resist the large bee on the flowers.
In my garden the freemontodendron against my south facing house wall already has several blooms I love the bright yellow waxy flowers. I love too the bright yellow dandelions that have been filling the fields and roadsides everywhere - I don't think I've ever seen so many as there are this year.
And here is a dandelion seedhead, with raindrops.
Lastly for today, the aquilegias growing in my large border. The pink one is especially beautiful.
Three Beautiful Things:
1. Sunshine filtering through the young beech leaves along the lane.
2. My winning score on one of the bowls competition games.
3. So many birds singing in the sunshine
