Thursdays stroll around the garden.

As I walk the garden today many blooms are fading fast.....the echinops still has flowers to come but this one has seen better days........
allium drumsticks are finished......the bees loved them ........
the perennial sunflower is just starting to fade although there are a few blooms giving a good display.......
the seedheads of oriental poppies look striking in the border....it does not seem long ago that her huge blooms were dominant in this bed.

but there are some new arrivals.....this little aster is dotted all over the garden. My father gave me some plants a couple of years ago from the garden he left behind......they hold strong memories for me, so I get much pleasure when they open.....
The mighty cardoon has many blooms and looks magnificent.......

but as I look around, the lilacs and whites of summer are in decline, autumn colours are appearing slowly..........the blackberries are in the hedges around the garden, I should be picking them in a few weeks......in fact I picked a handful today, they were in a sheltered sunny spot so had ripened early.....
Mahonia Aquifolium is turning.........adding red tones to the garden.....

I remember saying to Lisa at Greenbow how much I loved Lords and Ladies......only to discover that she does to.....and look under the old apple tree one was pollenated and is covered in berries...
and hanging sweetly in the copse are rows and rows of elderberries.....something that I love........I have been told you should not eat them.....but I must confess I do in small amounts, they have a flavour all of their own..........they can give you an upset stomach, so do not do, as I do.....
and just look at these hips waiting for the birds to have a feast.........red again you see....autumnal colours........
also the haws are turning........they will bring the fieldfare and redwings to my garden and I tell you lovely bloggers I just cannot wait.....I love the thrush family so for me this is a yearly treat.....
and finally honeysuckle berries.....plump and ripe and ready for a taker........so you can see autumn in Cheryl's garden is approaching slowly.......my bees have done a wonderful job with pollenation, for this I thank them.......the small creatures that delight and charm me.........that make my life that little bit sweeter.............is autumn creeping into your space yet?????

Family post......

Hi Auntie Kelly........love you, miss you...........have a lovely birthday xxxxx
I am trying to fill the paddling pool, sorry Kelly can't do two things at once, its a boy thing....

Have fun Kelly....miss you..........have a great birthday.....kisses.....

Hello Kelly....this hug is just for you......enjoy whale watching.......
A string of wishes tied up with ribbons of love......surprises, happiness.......a lovely brithday Nan

Hi Lovely..........our wishes for your birthday stretch to the other side of the world......we send our love and hope you have a special birthday weekend with your sister.........keep living the dream and though we are not with you in body........we will all be with you in thought.........hugs.......

Summer is slowly drifting by.......

Another hot day but the rain refreshed the garden and everything looks a lot happier.....

So many of the flowers are fading and I struggle to find something new or exciting to post....
The purple loosestrife has brought in bees and butterflies in huge numbers........
this afternoon the blooms were absolutely covered in bees, butterflies and hoverflies.......
Is it me or has spring and summer gone so swiftly.....I can remember reading posts on other blogs.....
the anticipation of summer and what was to come.....everyone working away, waiting for their prize blooms to display on their blogs

and here we are nearly into August..........
I love autumn....and so enjoy the pathway to her..........BUT
when the bees start to slowly disappear they take a little bit of me with them.......
they have finished their work in the garden..........and apart from the queen, none will survive the winter.....
For me this time is always tinged with slight sadness............

It rained....boy did it rain......

When I went to bed last night I could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance......pink flashes across the sky made some beautiful artwork......and I hoped it would be heading this way. I drifted into a peaceful sleep....the sleep of someone who had worked in the garden for most of the day....I was woken in the early hours by the thunder and heavy rain on the conservatory roof. The smell of rain hitting dry soil came through the open window....how I love that smell.....I lay still in the darkness and thankful that someone had answered my prayers.........water is so precious..............As I walked the garden this morning, droplets of water clung to the flowers......
adding another element to the garden......
this bloom looked stunning in the early morning sunlight........

my garden was refreshed.....and as if to say thank you......the stockesia came into bloom......
also the miniature water lily...........what a wonderful start to my day.......

And in the sunshine two little flowers came to spend the day at Nanna's......time to fill the paddling pool ...............................time to just have fun......................

Hot and sticky......

The soil is cracking all around the garden.......we reached 30 degrees yesterday.....also humidity is high....there is no forecast of rain.........

There are no clouds.....everywhere I look the sky is blue....the sun is strong.........but there is still so much beauty in the garden.....the following photographs were taken over the last two weeks or so......they show that whatever the weather there is always something beautiful out there.....

Sometime photographs speak louder than words.....have a good week.........