Garden moments.

This pretty rose, Peace, is having a second, or maybe third, flowering.

Sometimes the flowers have a pink tinge, but these are more yellow.

I was warned when I planted Geranium Rozanne that she would take over, and she has done just that. It is impossible to cut her back as she is covered in bees all day.

She has managed to cover most of one of my flower beds and also the lawn!

Is it a sign of approaching Autumn to see Chrysanthemums flowering? 

Photo taken a week ago with the first of the tomatoes and other bits from my little vegetable garden. Since then I am picking over a pound of tomatoes every day,

I can feel the garden is winding down. It's too soon.

August is only just beginning.

A Painted Lady

We recently watched a most interesting programme about a journey from Morocco to England.

The journey is taken by the Painted Lady butterfly every year, flying around 4500 miles. They cannot spend a Winter here, but come every June or July to see what we have growing in the gardens.

I was so delighted to find one this morning, humming its way happily amongst the Lavender and Verbena in the flower beds.

I even managed to get a close up photo.

Isn't she pretty?

At a time when so many of the butterfly species are dying out it is good to se this lovely lady in the garden.

Coverack update.

Thank you for the many prayers and good wishes on yesterday's post about Coverack.

The work continues, with so many agencies taking part. Council, Police, engineers from SW Water, workmen, locals... Groups of people have come from around the country, from Birmingham, from London, a Sikh group, Khalsa Aid, all of whom have previous experience working in disaster areas.

 Police helping to load damaged goods.

Sadly this hotel has had to close, after evacuating all the residents.

Everything is going to take time to repair.

Quote from the local Council.

Council Leader Adam Paynter, who visited the site on Wednesday, said: "The way authorities, businesses and the local community has pulled together in the face of such a devastating event has been remarkable.

"The response we have seen from all quarters shows the true spirit of Cornwall. It reflects how we pull together in the face of adversity and highlights the special essence of village communities."

Whilst this is very hard for Cornwall, we must never forget that there are so many places around the world suffering disasters. I think of the fires in British Columbia, where my daughter lives. Earthquakes in Greece and Turkey have left  so many people  homeless.

But every community has its own special way of pulling together to recover. Long may this spirit reign.

Coverack

I don't often write twice in one week, but would ask for your prayers for the people of Coverack, a little coastal village not that far away from our home near Truro.

Yesterday storms hit and a flash flood tore through the village, leaving shops and homes wrecked beyond all hope. The access roads were torn up, rocks came cascading down the roads, cars were swept away, and one family had to be airlifted from their home.

Sadly  it is the beginning of the tourist season in Cornwall, and many bookings may not be possible to honour.

The folk of Coverack are pulling together to try to find some normality, as are the Council teams. Clearing up is going on all the time, but huge machinery will be needed to remove the rocks that have swept down.

This was once a road.

We have friends in the village, who didn't suffer too badly. They lost their oil tank and their garden was ruined.

Thankfully no lives have been lost, but I feel for people who are unable to be in their own homes, borrowing clothing and accommodation from friends and family.

In a peaceful little holiday village we don't expect or want this sort of terror.

A new Tea towel!

I received a very pretty new Tea Towel today, sent by Deanna from Creekside Cottage

I entered her giveaway, and felt very privileged to win, especially as I don't live in USA.

A sweet card came in the parcel also.
You can see how well Deanna's towel goes with my existing towels.
I love a touch of red in my kitchen!

Thank you Deanna!

Agapanthus.

Agapanthus (and pink wheelbarrow)

These lovely statuesque flowers originate from South Africa, and are sometimes known as the African Lily.

They can be a bit fussy, and if moved will sometimes refuse to bloom for a couple of years. Mine seem to be happy now, but it took two years after moving for them to produce flowers.

It's such a pure blue.

Today we have cooler weather after a few days of intense heat, so it has been an opportunity to do a bit of weeding and tidying up in the garden.

Soon it will be Tomato picking time.

It's a bit of a jungle in the greenhouse, but I think there are going to be plenty of fruit this year.

Coulis, passata, sauce, roast tomatoes.... endless possibilities.

Clematis

A little bit of loveliness

to wish all my friends in America a Happy 4th July,

and of course, belated wishes to Canada celebrating 150 years last weekend.