Five good things – and a bonus sixth (and it’s Friday!)

My goodness where DID that time go?  Well, of course I know where it went.  It went in busy-ness and a lovely holiday (more of that to come), and a few crises (not mine, so not mine to share).  But here we are at now, and I’m glad to share these good things with you.  I hope they find you well and enjoying life, and if not, I hope they bring you a brief glimpse of some simple things that might give you some pleasure.

1. Sunshine! – oh my goodness, doesn’t everything just feel better when the sun is shining.  I become like one of those cats that sits on a warm sunny window sill soaking up all that warmth.  The very best thing of all has been to sit out on the terrace outside the kitchen reading and enjoying views of the garden, which always manages to look at it’s very best in May. (Picture below clearly not my garden, I was too busy enjoying being there to remember to take a photo.  But I couldn’t resist this when I visited the farm earlier this week).
   

   Bath City Farm volunteers working hard to create the beautiful beds and displays

2. Rain!   – the paradox of course is that we gardeners also want and crave rain, because without it our gardens will struggle to achieve their best.  Yet again, despite installing larger water butts in the garden, the water levels are low following a long dry spell, so I was delighted to see rain forecast this week.  Promised, but it didn’t come as forecast.  And then it did.  And I am so very pleased.
   

   Wet garden view from kitchen window

3. A date day with my honey – yesterday we took most of a day out of everything.  We took ourselves out for lunch, we chatted about this and that (and the other), we went to an exhibition.  In truth the exhibition was for me really, I loved it and he patiently took it in and then retreated to one of the chairs to wait for me.  It really was as simple as that, and as lovely as that.  A timely reminder that we should do more of the same.  And we will.
4. Garden and allotment – for reasons external and internal, I am yet again frustratingly behind with all things gardening.  But this time I have managed to take it in my stride, to accept that I will do what I can and not fret about what I haven’t managed to do.  And I have been touched by the generosity of someone who has produced an abundance of beautiful plants (mainly vegetables and herbs) and who gave me many of those I am missing.  The recent rain and free time this weekend will see them all planted and promising good things for the summer.  And of course there’s the Chelsea Flower Show coverage on the BBC each evening – an hour to ogle at the gardens (love them, hate them…), to learn more about plants and plant combinations, and to think that next year I should make the effort to get along to one of the big shows, something I’ve never done before.
5. Exhibition – a small but delightful exhibition in the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath – A Celebration of Flowers – work by Kaffe Fassett and Candace Bahouth.  If something can be described as ‘a riot of colour’, this certainly is it.  The exhibition is on until 2 September, so if you live in or near Bath or are coming here and you love colour, do get along.  I’m fortunate to have a resident’s card that gives me free entrance, and I plan to dip in there all through the summer.  
6. The NHS – for a variety of reasons, this week we have had reason to be grateful for and to the NHS.  And let’s remember especially the many people who work in and for it, including the many who have come here from overseas to work in the NHS.  We were received with warmth, kindness, reassurance, and effective treatment.  (And a reminder for those of you not in or from the UK – we paid not a penny at the time, and we have no worries about the cost of any future treatment (we have and do of course pay all the time through our taxes, of which we don’t begrudge a penny).

Finally, I’m continuing to struggle with space for new photos, which is in part why I haven’t been posting much recently.  I will try to get this fixed soon, and I’m hoping to be able to post more now anyway as I (hope!) have more time available.  (You’d be forgiven for saying – I’ve heard that one before!).  

Finally finally, I’ve noticed that recently many more people have started following my blog.  I’m delighted and also intrigued – if you’re one, do tell how you found me and why you’re following.  And – thank you!