Crocus mathewii

A quick snap before a long day out.   A Turkish crocus named for Brian Mathew, a one time Kew botanist whose monograph, The Crocus, has been my bible for over half my life.   The dark purple colour in the throat is unusual making this plant both distinct and desirable.

My trip to help Ruth get to the dentist was a resounding success.  Her long term problems will not be easily resolved but we got further than expected today.   A call just before I left from the special care NHS dentistry team, quite local to where she lives, unexpectedly offered an appointment today, replacing the private option that I had arranged.   Easier to get to and a familiar, friendly dentist.   He managed to get x-rays done, something Ruth has always struggled with in the past due to her strong gag reflex and has referred her to a consultant whom she has also seen before and likes.   Better still, there was an appointment available next week, on a day when I am planned to be there and it fits neatly between two other appointments we have arranged.  I could almost have kissed the secretary!   So much easier than having to make an extra trip.   There's also a date for the work to be done following next week's consultation.  That's not until December but it's close enough to Christmas to be a convenient date for a visit.    We also fitted in a visit to the vets so Ruth could sign Timmy cat up for their pet health plan.   A well used afternoon that ended with tea at Ruth's before I headed for Shrewsbury and a talk from a good friend about Wildside Garden in Devon.  It is a truly fantastic garden - it's future is uncertain, next year might be the last year it is open to visitors.  Take a look here