An unexpected friend

Suddenly, at the front of the house rose the most enormous, most gorgeous and splendid poppy I had ever seen. Its virulent vermillion hue looked as if it had been painted with black india ink using a soft, wide watercolour brush. I can't wait to paint these little numbers, and how brilliant would they look blown up huge and cropped and hung on the wall.

So much inspiration from one, albeit perfect plant.

Time to grill some stuff...

A few weeks ago and a warm Sunday evening was the perfect setting for an impromptu BBQ using our little portable number. Nick perfected his BBQ-ed garlic pitta breads and we scoffed delicious char-grilled salmon and new potatoes from the garden with gorgeous green coriander.

Lovely Lilac

All the blossom seemed to come at once this year but I always manage to forget about the late-comers - the heady, scented lilac with small buds so vibrant and tactile up close they look almost plasticy.

And the Horse Chestnut whose blooms this year seemed to tower up higher than ever especially in contrast with the dark lushness of the leaves and the bright blue of the sky.