Stripey Bum

The day ran away with me yesterday mainly because I was involved in cleaning and cooking for we had some friends to supper: tarte Provençal tomate (puff pastry, a ton of tomatoes, a sprinkling of olives and basil), new potatoes and a mega salad; followed by blackberry crumble - all freshly plucked from the hedgerows. With custard. It was still warm enough to sit out in the conservatory and the company was most pleasant . 
Today I have finally finished the spreadsheet and it will wing its way off to Sites and Monuments tomorrow. A walk was needed after that and I went down to Farrananmanagh. The wildflowers are still abundant - the scabious out now,  and higher up on the cliffs a mingling of gorse and heathers. Back amongst the boreens, every time I walked past an ivy bush there was much thrumming - tons of bees, hoverflies and butterflies. An odd moment as I past the strand - a woman curled up, not moving. She looked odd. I called out are you okay. Fine thanks was the reply. 
I think this is a devil's bit scabious plus hover, and it's just sneaking in for the last of Miranda1008's wildflower week challenges for the year- thanks for that Miranda. 
Oh, and other news. My brother finally availed of his birthday present yesterday - a trip to Windsor to see Ian McKellen in Hamlet. He plays Hamlet and the whole cast is no age/gender specific. Apparently it was excellent and your man himself mesmerising as always. What punishing schedule though for an 80 year old.