JUNGLE WARFARE

Back from a holiday and, with rain and sun, the whole garden has exploded. The grass will take several cuts, gradually lowering the level, the strimmer will be needed in the wilder areas, deadheading is urgent, especially on the roses, and fruit - raspberries and blackcurrants - need to be picked and used. The calabrese, quietly maturing when we left, has exploded into flower and is useless.

The Crambe shown here - well part of it, has gone to seed but I will leave the flower head on as it is still spectacular, (and hides the septic tank from the house).

The Garden office is in but not yet completed though the new path, railing and decking have been done.

Pond has leaked a bit but survived.

But will I?

As it is raining the order of the day is shopping, coffee and computers.

Is the summer now over for another year - like the last three?

Of course they are having a heatwave in London whilst it rains here, 18C. Mind you they have just imposed a hosepipe ban in the NW yesterday - as a borehole owner, not a problem.