I Say Chaps..

"I say chaps, anyone got a map?"

The latest update on the swallow chicks is that the are fully fledged already, they must fly in the next day or so if they aren't already.

"We could always apply for housing benefit"

I think this is Selfheal, and by the time I had finished grovelling round on the ground I could have done with some!

Peony

Turk's Cap Lily

Blooms in the Red Scale

A bit weary today so I am having a lazyish day at home.

In between some chores, I have been nipping out into the garden to take a few pictures to keep this thing going!  Seems to have developed a bit of a red theme......

Clematis

Rosea

Foxglove

Swallow Update.

It is now nine days since that last picture of the Swallows.  They are making excellent progress and are almost fledged, I guess that they will be flying in the next few days.  No doubt the Sparrow Hawks and Magpies will be waiting for them.

Until then, they are still very sweet!

I quite liked this Plantain with cuckoo spit and fly.....

I had to take my Mother over to Consett this afternoon to meet a friend and on the way home I did a little reminiscing.  I am always a slightly hesitant to revisit the past, a big piece of me says 'never look back' and often places of significance in my life have changed so much that the disappointment can outweigh the fonder memories.

But I did it anyway.

9 Clarence Gardens, I was born here just over fifty three years ago and it has changed so much in so many respects.

The Tin Mill Infants School, the first establishment responsible for what you have before you today!  Now a community centre.

St John's,  Snods Edge.  My parents were married here, in this beautiful little country church all those years ago and looking round the churchyard I can see the names of several relatives and far too many others I knew.

Unusually in this day and age, the church was open and I couldn't resist a picture of this wonderful stained window.  Not a religious bone in my body, I still love and marvel at churches, from a tiny chapel 

 hidden in the Manx countryside to the magnificence of Durham Cathedral. 

Was it worth it?  Perhaps on this occasion, yes.

Field Poppy

Well, it's been a lovely afternoon........

.......and a photo that does what it says on the tin!

With a Cherry on Top?

It has been another lovely day here and it has been a pleasure pottering around.

We'll start with another critter.

Over the last few weeks I have been enviously admiring reports from our friends in sunnier climates of the progress their cherries are making, and even how good they taste!

These are my cherries, impressed?

Sadly over the next few weeks the birds will have stripped the tree.  I have never yet eaten one of our cherries, but one day.........

While I spent the day pottering and sunning  myself, the local farmers and contractors have been working non stop from early this morning to cut and lead in their silage for the coming winter.  This cut is looking good, hopefully the next one (or possibly two) will be equally good.

Form an Orderly Queue ! (Wednesday)

We will have to buy another iMac!

By eleven o''clock last night a barely orderly queue had formed to use the Mac, the eldest and youngest offspring had already traded blows and insults in pursuit of their "fix"!   I gave up all hope of posting as The Children's Mother settled down to edit a whole stack of pictures, so yesterday's post, today....

The rain had stopped for the time being, the sun was bright and penetrating, the lawns dried and waiting to be mown.  As I cut the lawn at the rear of the house, heat rose from the fresh cut grass and the air was filled with scent.  I had forgotten the Philadelphus or Mock Orange was beginning to blossom,  another few days of this weather and this sheltered part of the garden will be heady with their distinctive fragrance.

Following the recent "insect" theme, I was delighted to spot this Dragonfly on one of the box bushes, a very rare visitor to our garden!