Afternoon shadows at the Soldiers’ Circle in the cemetery.

This is a happy cacti, with more red fruit busting out each week.

Just before the storm began. One of my new rain barrels was nearly full afterwards.

The mullein and chicory are blooming beautifully on the corner of the garden. 

Carol and I listened to the orchestra playing at the gazebo, and our friend, Bruce, on the right, giving a Memorial Day speech.

I spent an hour in the cemetery pruning some of the trees, and had to stop when I chopped a chunk out of my thumb nail bed. It’s throbbing a bit!

So fortunate to have got these 2 50gal rain barrels for half the price of 1 new one on Amazon. Both will go in the back garden.

Sam Tate, a famous songwriter, performed at the tavern tonight.

A welcome storm. No need for the hosepipe tonight, and got all 4 watering cans filled!

I planted a gooseberry bush 2 years ago, it took me 3 years to find one. I went out to prune it as it was getting a bit unruly, and was amazed to see it was covered in berries. Guess I’ll wait until they’ve ripened before I prune. I’m looking forward to stewed gooseberries and gooseberry jam. 

Tricksie Treat feeling happy now she’s had her dinner.

Underneath the hostas early this morning. New ferns growing, plus it’s cool and damp, a welcome habitat for wildlife.

I went to a local nursery today to get herbs, but before I shopped, I had a cuddle with Lola, one of the resident parrots. She’s so loving, yet on my way out, she preferred to tuck into her fresh veggies, rather than have another cuddle. Oh well, I’ll see her next time.

18 May 2024

A rainy wine festival followed by music at the tavern. Here, we checked out the old kitchen at the Heritage Center in between vendors.

Our regular artist duo at the Tavern, drawing the band.

Finally got some planting done today after the heavy rains, and lifted a pot of thyme to see this chap underneath. A beautiful garter snake. I touched him and he dashed under the block so I put the pot back. A great guard snake for the veggie garden. My boot toe on the right for scale.

A humongous stack of paper plates in Rural King, ready for BBQ season, and the land fill, unfortunately.

The tax assessor was checking out my house today. I gave him my best Paddington stare as I drove past him. Our taxes were raised astronomically last year, and they’re raising them again.

13 May 2024

I love the way Brittney has stacked her books. 

Emily took this of me and Richard, while we were listening to the music at the Open Mic event.

The baby robins took their first flights this afternoon. Here’s one of them with a parent, both mum and dad are flying after them. 

4 baby robins in the nest, all looking strong and healthy.

A nice little English tea before landing back in the U.S. sandwiches, a warmed scone with jam and clotted cream and a chocolate. 

Visitors enjoying the ruins of the 13th century Whitby Abbey.

Was pleased to not hear any raised voices as we walked past this alleyway.

A woodland in North Yorkshire, filled with wild garlic.

Mum laughing at the size of our Sunday dinners. There was a lot of food, and it was delicious!

‘What we got ‘ere, then?’ A huge herring gull checking out the leftovers in the beer garden, where me and Mum stopped for a pint.

Hundreds of swans feeding at Abbotsbury Swannery.

Yellow gorse on the moors near Mum’s house.

This is my crash pad for the next 5 days, while in Dorset. Lovely little place, quiet and peaceful.