Three straight days of brilliant sunshine, blue skies, light breezes and the garden is out there rejoicing.  I hear the gladsome cries as I step out on to the deck, and it takes but the least little push for me to give up whatever I was planning to do and go and join the celebration.

I have been spending a lot of time in this electric, but strangely peaceful garden.

Mostly bent over, but when I do straighten up, one hand on a

potentially aching back, there is always a smile on my face.

What beauty natures creates as she goes about this pregnant job

of sustaining the species!

The first roses on the pink climber have opened

on the tips of the wandering branches.

and the clematis  are leaping up the trellis

two days ago there were no iris in bloom

and suddenly they are all vying for their place in the sun

the evening sun finds its way through the trees

and illuminates the last of the allium

and the blossoms on the tree peony

I sigh with pleasure and go in to scrub my hands that mark me for what I am -

a happy gardener!