Tick, tock........

I can hear the clock ticking.   Yesterday all I could hear was the sound of children's laughter.

 We sat beneath the old apple tree and had a picnic.    We ate strawberries, blueberries, english cherries and fairy cakes my mother had made.

The old girl is laden with fruit.    In the autumn the children and I will pick apples and make a crumble.
The old tree is sacred to me, I have great respect for her.   I see changes.........we walk the path of old age together.

Temperatures have been high for the last few days.......30C (90F)
Today it is much cooler and it is raining.   I like summer rain.

I wonder how long the butterfly has been sitting on the flower.    Poor thing.   I carefully cut the stem and take flower and butterfly to the shed for shelter.   I leave the door open, she can take flight when the time is right.

The bees have done well.....the warm Spring was good in many ways.

A garden full of gifts.......

I cannot remember, in recent times,  when there was such an abundance of produce.

I watched the greenfinches feeding on the hips in the rain...... 

 I plan to use the haws for herbal medicine.    I believe in the power of nature........

 I put my faith in her each and every day.

I have found gardening quite challenging this year.   The dry Spring,  the cold, wet summer have left me feeling rather confused.    Each year is a journey, each year holds new experiences.      I never tire of the garden.....it can frustrate me at times, but always I love it.