I had a 6am swim today as am waking early, then watered the allotment, which is full of colour. We have been eating a lot of garlic beetroot, potatoes and herbs from there. I picked some gladioli and fennel.
We had a walk in the woods behind the house earlier in the week...
Sloe berries are out too early. Himalayan balsam is flowering along the river bank but is managed as can be invasive. Bees love it.
I had a nice afternoon in the garden with my paints, experimenting with gauche masking fluid on practice paper.
How was your week?
Beautiful photos from your walk in the woods! And love the gladioli blossoms!
ReplyDeleteAren't gladioli beautiful, I can see why their flamboyant beauty was a favourite for Dame Edna Everage !
DeleteEverything is looking so green & lush Betty. Seeing your Gladioli has reminded me that I wanted to plant some bulbs. They were one of Mum's favorite flowers. xx
ReplyDeletedue to the drought in the UK my gladioli didn't flower in my garden just produced green - I got 4 flowers out of 30 bulbs. On my allotment though they did better as I was watering efficiently. I love the salmon pink the best.
Delete6am swim?! Lovet woodland photos, I can feel the coolness of the air.
ReplyDeleteyes 6am was ambitious, I haven't kept it up!
DeleteYour painting is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'd happily join you for a 6am swim, I'm always up and about by then - ours doesn't open till 7am and it's a mare trying to get Jon up an dout for then, he's not a morning person but he's getting better after 3.5years of swimming!
Your woods look like our garden - wild and overgrown, just how nature should be! xxx
Thank you vix, I am rusty but enjoyed that afternoon painting. Our swimming at 6am is a temporary thing while the local swimming club are on holiday, Im not sure I could keep it up in the Winter when it's harder to get yourself out and about early in the morning! I have also been going to late night swims which are lovely - maybe Jon would enjoy?
DeleteYou had a lovely walk with berries and blossoms. I like the picture of daisies that you painted.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for stopping by
DeleteNever heard or seen Sloe berries before.
ReplyDeleteHello Haddock, sloe berries come from the blackthorn bush in the UK (the fruit is out very early this year) they are small, black and taste dry and very bitter, but with sugar and alcohol can make a beautiful liquor. They are growng in abundance around here but most folk don't bother making anything with them these days.
DeleteBeautiful photos and gorgeous painting!
ReplyDeleteThankyou Linda
DeleteWhat a lovely walk you had and your daisy painting is delightful, so fresh looking.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I really enjoyed painting on that day.
DeleteAs you say, bees are attracted to Himalayan Balsam. It produces a prodigious volume of nectar, to the detriment of native species which are not nearly so bountiful for pollinators.
ReplyDeleteThe conservation group in our town cut the balsam back along our riverbank to manage its invasive nature. It smells unpleasant but was certainly a pleasure to see so many bees.
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