Time to Relax

I wish, but I do have next week off so perhaps there’s hope.

Meanwhile I think I’m just in time to joins the Lens Artist Challenge this week, where Amy has chosen Time to Relax as this weeks theme.

In June I had a day out with my friend Sue, a belated birthday treat for me. We went to Burrow Farm Garden in east Devon. There happened to be a wedding there that day and we saw several guests who’d arrived early enjoying the garden in full bloom. On family intrigued me, A mum, dad and their two children who seemed quite untogether and un- smiley considering the event.

Every so often we’d turn a corner and even just a few feet away it was as if we were invisible. Anyway at one point we spotted the dad relaxing.

I expect he would have been even more grumpy if he knew I’d snapped him.

Lens-Artist Photo Challenge

A lovely group of bloggers have decided to create a new weekly photograph challenge, now that WordPress no longer run theirs. This week it’s the turn of Leya, who has picked ‘cooling’ as the theme. She brings us an unusual riverscape in Switzerland, perfect for a cool down.

My choice is one of my favourite Devon rivers, the Bovey at – surprisingly – Bovey Tracey!

This is one of the places where my children paddled when they were little, our golden retriever Jassy beside them, great for a cool down in the water and shade.

Thanks Leyla!

Aljonushka, a favourite plant

Ten year ago when I left my last house, one of the plants that I dug up to take with me was quite an unusual clematis. It had taken me quite a while to find, but now it’s easily sourced.

It was created in the botanic gardens in the Crimea, hence it’s a tough little beauty. Every year I ignore it and back it comes to flower for several weeks each summer.

When I found this clematis, she was known as Ajonushka, now she seems to have several versions, Alyonushka, Alionushka and Aljenushka. Whatever you choose to call her, if you see her in your garden centre, she’s worth every penny!

Can you identify this one?

Outside of the building where I work stands this beautiful, large tree. For the last month it’s been blooming it’s little heart out, It has pointy leaves and bundles of tiny creamy yellow flowers.

Every morning as the sun warms and comes around to my side of the office, the pungent stench, fragrance wafts its way to my window. I can’t see it until I go outside and I don’t know what it is, but it’s driven me crazy, because it’s pollen hell and has really aggravated my asthma and hay fever, so I’d like to CHOP THE DAMN THING DOWN!

Anyone know what the monster is?