Hedgerow flowers, a blue quilt and nature in all its gory

A few flowers from the hedgerow, as suggested by Lou at Little Green Shed.  I found these at the allotment - ivy, buttercups, self-seeded aquilegia and my favourite hawthorn.  The best things in life are indeed free.

I took advantage of the warmer weather to wash the littlest boy's quilt yesterday.  It is a pattern he chose himself, and it came in kit form.  To be honest the kit wasn't great, and I had to buy extra fabric as some of the pieces supplied weren't the right colour or were too floral.  But the end result was okay, and he was happy as a clam, so all was well.

So nice to get this on the line drying in the sun.   I've also been scurrying around the garden and the allotment, weeding and planting and being busy.  Radishes are almost ready.  I love them, especially the first crisp, juicy ones at the start of the season.  They are the first thing I ever remember growing as a child.  So quick, so easy, and a necessity in a summer salad.

If I ever had time to sit down in the garden, this is where I would sit.  These are the pots that have (so far) avoided being smashed by flying footballs.  Next to the bench is a little bright pink rose which is nearly out.  Then there's a big pot of herbs, with some golden oregano which always has a vibrant acid green colour and some figs, which are my all-time favourites.  I love everything about figs and I always get excited when I find a fig tree somewhere.  There used to be one in the centre of Bristol, and I always looked at it on my way to work.  I wondered who planted it and when.  And I was so upset when it was ripped out in the name of "improvements".   Along the front there is a little white camellia (next to the bench), a hosta, some marjoram and an olive.   On either side there are also blueberries, and I love watching the bees on them at this time of year. 

The boys prefer their nature slightly more in the raw.  A short conversation I overheard this morning went something like this.

Biggest boy:  "There's a dead snail in the pond and there are tadpoles eating it!"

Middle boy:  "Cool."

Boys.  It reminds me of the bit at the zoo where the river otters are.  They are fed with dead chicks and rats and fish with their heads on.  The rocks in their enclosure are often strewn with ripped off limbs and entrails.  And all along the fence is a row of small boys with their noses pressed in excitement to the plexi glass window.  It's wonderful indeed.

I think we need another flower after that. 

Up on the hill the field has changed colour from green to gold.  Summer is here, and it is all wonderful.  Even the gory bits.