Summer in the Garden

We went to Clive and Elaine's in Uppingham today. The lilies had obviously been magnificent but were passing over. In the meantime, there was Echinacea, Mexican Sunflowers and Clematis. This is an amalgam of what was flowering in the garden.

Elaine's vegetable garden has come into its own. Grapes are bunching on the vine, purple beans are ripe for the picking and even the tomatoes are ripening in this heat. Elaine hasn't had any luck with tomatoes outdoors, until this year. We came away with lettuce, tomatoes, purple beans and two plump courgettes.

As usual, we enjoyed croissants and coffee, but this time in the shade. Len took Basil for a run up the field while I roamed the garden.

Driving home in the heat was oppressive. Even Basil deigned to have a drink from his bowl before leaving.