Grecian art

Another superb morning and after I had brought some plants out of the greenhouse to continue hardening off, I was off to the school to invigilate a Maths exam. Unlike the English paper from the other day which I had devoured, this one remained in its wrapper while I sat and kept a beady eye on the pupils. Not my strongest subject!

Then home and a quick change to get out into the hills with Cara and Bruce. We had a super walk and I felt that all about me there was a new energy as plants, birds and insects all stretched out eagerly to embrace the warmth of the sun. A few days ago I blipped a splendid unfolding fern which was foetal in appearance but also reminded some of a mitre and others of a shepherd's crook. Today, seeing clumps of them growing ever taller and backlit by the sun, they looked just like a group of inquisitive meerkats checking out their territory.

On Sunday, during my blipmeet with Sheenagh, I was educated on the difference between the ferns and bracken as they emerged from the undergrowth as I hadn't really noticed the difference. The blip today shows how bracken tenderly unfolds its leaves, almost making a heart shape as it does so. Also, unlike the fern which has leaves sprouting up the whole length of its stem, the bracken stem is unfettered and the leaves only appear at the top. Another difference is that they grow singly and not as a clump. Apologies to those who already know these nuances but there might be some of you like me! Looking at the close up of the bracken I again marvel at Mother Nature as you can see the little brown hairs on the stem and the way the new leaves are closely protected until it is safe to burst forth. I'm not sure what the little bright green nodules are at the base of the new leaves but they will have a purpose for sure!

This afternoon I spent hours happily in the garden preparing ground for planting out new bedding and I even decided to be bold and plant out one group of sweet peas. Both Cara and Bruce were great company as I worked, although Cara was emptying my trug of weeds as quickly as I was filling it up!