Here is one I made earlier!

Late last year another themed "Great British" Tv show began to air on BBC2 and I was hooked. This time it was a group of amateur potters making pots and plates and all manner of things against the clock and I began to wonder if I was able to make anything from clay? It appears that a lot of other people had the same idea. 

When I rang the local adult education centre and enquired about pottery classes, the woman on the phone groaned and said "I suppose you watched that TV show" "Yes" I replied.. Well it seemed the demand was so high for pottery class they added an extra two a week. So January saw me turn up with 9 other novice potters to start learning . I must say, I love it. Not as much as my garden, but I really look forward to Monday mornings, and not a lot of people do. I have, over the past few months produce a variety of wonky, badly glazed items, mostly capable of holding very little. But then I had a light bulb moment, why not make a vase to hold my own home grown flowers , so I did. I know it leans a little to the left but I am really pleased with how it turned out .

We have had a short break in Cornwall over the last few days, and when we got back a few hours ago I was straight down to the the patch to check progress. I was delighted to see I had loads of flowers. Now I have already cut my first tiny posy this year , but this was to be my first of any size, and there were enough to easily fill the vase. 

So here they are, my home grown flowers in my home made vase. I don't think you can get better than that. 

I was able to cut Hesperis, Alium, Calendula, Knautia, Cornflower Salvia and Cerinthe, not bad for 17th May. I have another vase in production, so watch this space for Vase Mark 2 which is altogether a fancier affair. 

Here is a pic of Gibson watching the seagulls trying to pinch a pasty from the lady sat on the next bench to us in Looe yesterday. 

The ever-changing Spanish bush and other matters.

Last week I made my annual Spring visit to my dad who lives on the Costa Blanca in Spain. He has a bush in his front garden that I have never really looked at closely, possibly because I have already visited when it completes its magic act, so I have never noticed it. This year, I did and it is really rather lovely. I have no idea what it is and neither does he , so if anyone recognises it, I would love to know what it is called. 

The flower in its early stages is yellow and looks a bit like a scabious. 

Once it has been open for a few days, the flower starts to turn bright pink from the outer buds inwards. 

Until finally the whole flowers is a big fluffy pink ball. 

The overall effect is wonderful as they are all turning and opening at different times. 

His neighbours have the same bush, but the flowers start as orange and end up red. I don't suppose they will survive well in the UK so I shall look forward to seeing again next time I visit. Also flowering profusely in his garden were these beauties. 

So I came home hoping I still had a few daffodils and tulips left to look at, but I need not have worried. My wallflowers are now out in all their glory and they smell lovely.

And today , finally my first summer flower. This little calendula has survived the winter and has started to put on a lovely show. Its only tiny, but its the promise of things to come. 

Before I went away I took the opportunity to plant out my sprouts and cauliflowers. Lots of sticks were needed as support for the net and the plants, when they get a bit bigger. I didn't want to poke holes in the net so something was required to prevent this happening. Now if Gibson, our lovely chocolate lab measured his wealth in tennis balls he would without doubt be an Oligarch, so I am hoping he does't noticed I have pinched a few to support my nets. 

Lots of hours are being spent outside now and so pretty soon I will have lots of lovely things to write about. 

In other matters, Freda has spent the winter in the garage being fettled.. She is now looking and sounding wonderful so a couple of weeks ago she was out for her first Sunday run of the season. We entered the Triumph New Forest Run and had a glorious day in the sunshine with lots of other likeminded people, driving around the beautiful New Forest. 

The event finished at Highclifffe castle where the cars were all looked over and votes were cast in several categories. 

Much to our delight Freda won the class for best TR5/6. We were delighted and Jim was presented with his first trophy. 

What great start to the summer lets hope its a long hot one, like the one we had 40 years ago. 

Oh Happy Days..

There is something about gardening and growing plants that makes me feel good.. I stand in my greenhouse looking at all the tiny seedlings , which later in the summer will bring me flowers, vegetables and smiles and it makes me happy. Don't worry I haven't been on the Prosecco  its just spring and I am loving being back in the garden again. 

Every day now there is something to do, seeds to sow, plants that need a bigger pot or , this week, huge piles of broken branches from our neighbours Oak trees to be picked up off my beds and paths. Storm Kate blew through on Monday night but we had very little damage at all. My piles of plastic pots were scattered and my sweet pea tower was leaning at a very odd angle, but that was it. The poor clifftop shelter didn't fair as well. It is directly in line with The Needles, as you can see and there was a 105mph wind recorded. I do hope they replace it as it is nice spot to watch the world go by whilst eating ice-cream.

The greenhouse is full to bursting already and I still have loads to plant and loads of stuff to pot on. As usual the windowsills are also crammed. My bargain Poundland pots have worked really well. thanks Sara Venn for that tip, I hope yours have been as successful.

The Cornflowers  and Ammi are so big now they are outside and I shall be watching the weather carefully for the next couple of weeks to make sure there are no frosts to hurt them. 

The cutting beds are full to bursting with Paper Whites. Some of you may have been recipients of flowers from these actual bulbs if you have ever bought flowers from Georgie at Common Farm Flowers. I traded a days weeding last summer for a huge bag of bulbs she no longer needed. They are popping up all over the place here. 

And never fear, if there is a shortage of tomatoes this coming summer, I think I have grown enough plants to feed most of you.

 Its looking like another lovely day tomorrow so more seeds to sow and more happy hours to spend in the garden. 

Wordless Wednesday - Spring is Springing..