It is turning out to be quite a summer!

I have my fingers crossed so as not to jinx it.

Garden Weekend

I have always taken the sun for granted and fought to get out of it back home. Two years here and I have morphed into a little bit of a sun-lover. I don't think my sun-seeking behaviour will ever be or that I want it to be quite as intense as that of the great British public, but boy does it lift my spirits to catch a glimpse of some sun! This weekend we had picture-perfect early summer weather, and we spent most of it in and about the garden.

The garden at our earlier home was easy to maintain. It was a square(ish) plot bounded by neat strips of soil beds and the central area was covered in gravel. While gravel is not the prettiest, it's child's play when compared to grass, we were soon to discover. Grass needs to be cut and fed and aerated and a whole lot of other stuff I dare not find out about for fear of being bothered by it.

The term lawn takes on a whole new meaning at Oxford. No pressure then.

Here's a peek the fruit of our labour - stripes and all.
















Dot took it upon himself to photograph the blooms in the garden. He's not quite done yet, but there is always next weekend.

Here are the ones I know the names of,












Ruffled Pansies












Apple Blossoms












Daisies












Holly





...and some others I am yet to learn the names of.

Most of Sunday afternoon was spent horizontal on a garden chair pretend-reading The Book Thief while snoozing away in the shade.

Life is good.

(Many thanks to Dr Simon Ho for the picture of Worcester College.)

Ruddy Stunner

The Stars of The Show

... or the reason you will find me peeping out of our bedroom window every so often.

Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?!