Sunset Stroll

An  evening walk yielded an unexpected bonus.  A footpath new to us, just a few miles from home, that started in woodland but soon opened onto heathy meadows, the damper areas dotted with Marsh Orchids.  At one stage we were being watched by a distant deer and there were butterflies at rest in the long grass.  Think I'll be going back :-)

The morning was mostly about workmen.  New rear tyres were 33% cheaper at the small independent supplier recommended by our longstanding small independent motor engineer - excellent and all was done with tea and chat!   Less happy was the visit from Eric, the plumber.  What we hoped was a small leak turned out to be more serious than we thought, hidden as it was behind a fixed unit.  Might be an insurance claim he thought .... but having checked the excess for water leaks I'm not sure.  Another chat with Eric beckons.

The afternoon was a little treat, a visit to friends who have a rather nice garden out in the country.   Plants were exchanged and tea and cake enjoyed.  Listen out for a feature on alpines on Gardeners Question Time and you can here more about the garden  Extra pic of one of the plants I came home with - Teucrium aroanum.