Magnolia bedroom

I rarely use a flash - I feel like I'm cheating, but there's little option not to when you've been gardening until 9.15 at night and still haven't taken a photo. It's a blooming helpful option having a flash!

I think I might actually be quite pleased with this photo - which is really rare for me!

It was pure luck that I found this bee using a magnolia flower as a bedroom. I felt a bit guilty flashing a bright light on it so only took a couple of shots and then left it in peace.
As I cleared away the gardening tools an owl hooted and the solar garden lights came on. The dew began to fall and the ground seemed to sigh with relief after a surprisingly sizzling day. I love being outside alone at night - it reminds me of childhood exploration and the slightly fearful excitement of the unknown.

I tried to garden after lunch but I don't cope well with the heat. The evening was lovely though. It's still not cold now at 10.20pm.

Richard worked until lunchtime and then we treated ourselves to lunch at the garden centre. Tess has completely given up not eating meat and is back on sausages. Thankfully the good weather over the bank holiday has meant there were enough people around to keep business at our shop ticking over so we won't starve this week.

I bought more manure for improving the condition of our soil. It's a bit weird going to buy bags of poo. But we're only in our first year of growing stuff and our compost heap is less than a year old so things are a bit anaemic still.

I planted the King Edward potatoes in sacks and tubs because I have no space left in the veg plot - and I fancied seeing how grow sacks perform. I've got carrots, salad and strawberries in sack-style planters on the patio too.

I feel like I still have SO much too do but I've very little left waiting to be planted out so I must be making progress.

We were given some duck eggs today and had a gorgeous duck egg, potato and pepper omelette with salad outside this evening. Joel went for a cycle ride with a friend today, and Gemma went to visit someone in hospital; Tess sowed some nasturtium seeds and did lots of climbing, swinging and running around in her pants playing with water. So I think we've all used our bank holiday well.

I love this time of year when the nights are short and the days almost run into each other