Wet and Weeding

There has been strong gales and heavy rain this week but I have managed  some gardening in between the showers. I have got my allotment weeded. I am still harvesting kale, sprouts and leeks. The runner beans and raspberries have come to an end.

I have a good crop of leeks

In my garden at home there are still flowers in bloom. Red asters.

Bright pink

Nerines give a splash of pink.

Pink exotics

A bears paw.

Beware of the bear

Some lupins have come back into flower.

A pretty white lupin

The bright red bistort makes a splash of colour.

Bottle brushes

Lichen on a gate stoop.

Wonderful colours

This oak tree has split its trunk but is still alive.

Can you see a female torso?

Sunrise this morning.

A milky sky

Rambling around Rome

I have been to Rome as my daughter is getting married there later this year. The wedding venue is stunning. There were lemon and Seville orange trees in the grounds.

Fresh lemons

Wrinkled Seville oranges

Cacti are growing wild even in January.

Look but don't touch

Here are some of the famous buildings in Rome.

The Colosseum

Stunning architecture

How many columns can you see?

The grandeur of Rome

I love this building

Friends Romans and countrymen

Italy is famous for its pizza and pasta.

Large or small we have them all

 This was part of Fortnum and Mason's display in Heathrow airport.

Fruity

At last the days are lengthening. This is the telescope at Jodrell Bank.

Is there anyone out out there Mr Tom

 The first snowdrops have appeared.

Always the first sign of Spring

Catkins dangling along the river bank.

Ropes of gold

We have had some dramatic skies.

Such movement and flow

As the sun is going down

Autumn Arrives

This week I have been gathering leaves and berries for a wreath making workshop I am doing with the Reception children at Kirkoswald school.

This is the wreath I have made for my front door.

Berries, sycamore keys and acorns

We found this empty bird's nest when we were stacking a delivery of new logs.

Look at the detail

There are still a few flowers in bloom. This white scabious looks majestic.

The purity of white

The blue salvia adds colour to the border.

Vibrant blue

A few zinnias have survived the light frosts.

This flower has an old fashioned feel about it

Look at this beautiful butterfly on the cosmos.

Usually the butterfly has flown away by the time I have got the photo

Views from a walk around Lazonby. 

Looking towards the Pennines

Looking towards Kirkoswald

These are exhibits from the Cumbrian Artists of the Year exhibition.

Moo

This artist is very talented.

An amazing sculpture

I visited Sedbergh a very pretty town.

Quaint narrow streets

Can you guess what these have been used for?

Potato mashers

These sheep were part of Sheepfest.

Reading his last wool and testament

A tribute to David Hockney

There have been some beautiful morning skies.

Mist over the river and a mackerel sky

Breaking news
My next blog will feature the Halloween display in the Artful Garden.