The Rose Season

Busy at Mum and Dad's today - washing, ironing, shopping, sorting things out.

They still live in the house they moved to after I left home - a long time ago. The house I was brought up in had been right on the edge of town, and almost felt like the country - I can recall seeing a barn owl flying along the edge of a huge field we lived next to, home in the summer to a big herd of bullocks. No central heating of course, and not a lot of space with five of us. But it worked.

So their new home way back them seemed quite luxurious. It probably needs a lot doing to it now. 

I appreciate there are not many couples who get into their 90's still living independently. So whilst they are now struggling a bit, and I and my siblings worry quite a bit about them, I am also grateful that they are comfortable and still able to do what they can do.

Dad hasn't been well today - recurrent issues - and both of them struggle to remember things (let's see if Mum can remember the simple controls on the new tumble dryer). 

But I am still amazed at their garden. Front and back are smallish. But there must be over 200 rose flowers amongst all the greenery, the blip is just one of them (chosen because I like the fly). The basic structure of the garden must be good, and either they have planted just the right things, and/or just the right weeds and wild plants have come in to share the space with what was already there. Even the nettle bed is impressive.

I've taken quite a few photos (camera course subjects, I am now into - to me - scary learning territory.)