Hard at work

Yet again, a dry night was followed by a rather less than dry day, although we managed about an hour this afternoon before being soaked in the last ten minutes of a walk. But an interesting day nonetheless, partly because I was tutoring again this morning and reflecting on the combination of frustration and opportunity offered by teaching via zoom. Today it emerged that not all teachers are making best use of the ability to share documents online, or to plunder the online resources available so that students trying to prepare for exams have all the assistance they need at their fingertips. (Read between the lines - my poor student was having an epiphany, which was gratifying for me but Not Good Enough, really.)

My blip is unusual, in that it includes two complete strangers and a not-very-picturesque bush, but it represents a lovely moment in Benmore Gardens this afternoon. As we approached these chaps, who are involved in injecting the soil in the Giant Redwood Avenue, we were sure they were having a break for chocolate - perhaps hot chocolate, so strong was the smell. But no, it was this nondescript bush. They were delighted to show us, and to explain that right now, at this time of year only, its smell could be picked up as far away as the track down from the pond on the far side of the avenue. Its name is Azara Microphylla, and it comes from Chile and Argentina, and it smells like Cadbury's Creme Eggs. Really. 

I shall add as an extra one of the collages I made up of the fantastic rhododendrons currently blooming in the gardens - it seems a shame to miss them out. 

We both tested negative, by the way ...