Such a beautiful evening that we set off on our bikes at about 7.30. (Minus Thomas - apparently doing homework.)
Cycled through Richmond park past the bunnies sitting in the last of the sunlight, through to Richmond and back along the shiny river for a drink at Boaters in Kingston.
Bit of a crisp bribe for Zander to come with us...
Well, when I say helper... Zander was mainly involved in lounging on the allotment in a hammock watching a DVD - although I must admit that he got rid of a magpie feather that I couldn't remove without panicking. Worth spending an age untangling the hammock just for that.
Then, there are the blackfly also lounging, not on a hammock, but on all the green beans - they seem to have no intention of leaving.
And finally I love the tones and textures of this artichoke against the soft pattern of its backdrop.
...the bindweed that is driving me insane - but is a perfect flower, the young teasels, blackberry blossom, even sunny marigolds - all posing beautifully and therefore successfully distracting me from the hideous blackfly over all the beans and spreading....
Cycled to Petersham nursery today with the lovely Nikki, which made up for not being able to go with Ma, Pa and Barney on Tuesday.
It's such a joy to visit - the fabulous cakes (recommend the almond and apricot), the creative planting ideas, the best wellies, in fact, eclectic loveliness everywhere.
Be a great and inspirational place for concepts - perhaps a bit far from W1?
Managed to beat those enormous wood pigeons to the currants this year. Last year the fat birds snapped the branches because the plants were so young.
What to do with the blackcurrants though? Obviously something with mint...Keith rather handily found a recipe that uses blackcurrant leaves only - very helpful when I have loads of lovely fruit.
Sadly, some animal - probably fox - has run amok in my potatoes and now the potato patch looks like someone has been camping on it.
Finally.Zander comes home today although already they're going to be later than we thought. Was hoping to bung him in the shower before his guitar lesson - for the sake of the teacher - but now it's going to be a bit of a dash.
Also, Keith will (allegedly) actually be home for a meal instead of meetings and hospital visits.
So unless Thomas announces that he's unexpectedly out tonight, we'll all be here.
Zander and friends away all this wet week - camping - on a school trip. It involves lots of outdoor stuff that will be even more wet and muddy than usual. Looking forward to the filthy bag - although I expect I will still find the towels dry and very clean at the bottom...
Even though it's raining and even if the allotments are scruffy and even if there is a dead pigeon on my allotment that I can't go near because I'm scared... there are some very jolly flowers to cheer a person up!
Tried weeding this morning but got so much rain down my neck that I gave up and cycled home for my camera. I'd spotted some interesting drips on my bean sticks which had to be photographed there and then. Just hoping the camera will dry out soon...
