Calendula

I went for a walk around the estate at lunch time. The sun was shining and it was quite warm.

The Garden Workshop were in the potager garden busy harvesting the calendula. Once harvested the flower heads will be used to produce soap and creams for sale at our annual Advent Sale on the first Satuday in December.

The flowers were used in ancient Greek, Roman, Middle Eastern and Indian cultures as a medicinal herb as well as a dye for fabrics, foods and cosmetics. Many of these uses persist today and they are also used to make oil that protects the skin.

20 minutes later as I retraced my steps back to my office, the heavens opened and the wind whipped up - it hasn't stopped since!