Roses and moles.

Picked from my garden this morning, featuring

Peace (in the centre), Zephirine Drouhin, The Shepherdess, St Swithin , Golden Gate and Alnwick.

Such a joy.

Not so joyous is this molehill on my lawn.

Lots of advice from people includes, pouring Castor oil down the hole, mothballs, and pieces of chewing gum...not sure what good that would be except maybe to stick its paws together?

The problem with growing up with animals in literature, ie Moldy Warp, means that there is no way one can kill a little furry creature.

That's not quite my husband's view, but it's my mole.

I'm going to try mothballs first.

Another rose, lovely frilly dusty pink.

I will be taking a break now for a little while.

Garden wander.

Every now and then, in the midst of all the list making and preparations for my husband's short time away, I need to take a quiet walk in my garden, just to 'balance' myself.

Beautiful Zephirine Drouhin, the thornless rose, was the first to flower, and is covered in buds opening daily.

A glimpse of my greenhouse, with three different varieties of Tomato. As always, I surround them with French marigold which is supposed to frighten greenfly away! It must be the scent, which is very pungent. The tomatoes are doing well so far.

I don't grow many vegetables now, but we have a few rows of shallots, beans, spinach and snap peas coming up, enough for a few meals from our garden.

Peering somewhat coyly behind the Pulsatilla is the delightful Anchusa, one of my favourite flowers, probably because it's blue!

Lastly, back on the terrace, pots of scented French Lavender, Verbena and Petunias. I love these dusty pinky colours.

It's very restorative, a wander round the garden at the end of a very busy day.

Busy.....

The next few weeks ahead are going to be busier than usual, so I may not be penning any posts for a while.

I'm doing a 'boarding school' thing, sewing name tapes on my husband's clothes prior to his going for Respite care for a couple of weeks near the end of May.

I'm planning food for visitors this coming weekend.

I'm gathering and labelling little plants for a local Garden Club sale also this weekend.

I'm planting out the last of the perennials and annuals not the danger of frost is past (hopefully).

We have three medical appointments coming up.

So...busier than usual, but enjoying it, especially now the weather is sunny and warm.

Debbie, you are the winner of the address book, so please let me have your address and I will fit in a run to the Post office somewhen.

Giveaway

I wonder if anyone would like a new Address book?

I opened a box today (it's only been waiting a couple of years), and found various nice books, and a completely new address book. 

It features Monet's lovely paintings throughout.

Slightly annoyed as I have recently bought myself a new one.

It's too easy to forget what one has got.

Which is why I am having a minimising week.

(Sorry, photo quality is poor.

Click for bigger view)

The book has several lovely reproductions of Monet's paintings.

It's approx. 10 ins x 8ins.

I think I must have bought it a while ago, as it gives a line for 'Facsimile' (Fax) rather than email.

If you would like it, please let me know in the comments.

Open to all, until 8th May.

May 1st

This is what I would be offering you, my friends, if I still lived in France.

May 1st is the Fete du Muguets,  when work stops for a day, when friends and family are given a sprig of Lily of the Valley to wish them well.

It's the only day in the year when people are permitted to sell flowers on the street without a licence, and all groups take part. Scouts, Guides, children, all offering little bunches, maybe picked from their gardens.

It's a lovely tradition dating back to a time when there was a sovereignty in France.

Happy May Day wherever you are!