One Day Wonder

The flowers of Moraea, a genus in the Iridaceae, usually last just one day so I was chuffed to see this one on a sunny day.   It is Moraea macronyx, native on rocky sandy slopes in Cape province, South Africa.   The whole plant is about 4 inches high, the flower not much more than an inch across.  Small is beautiful!   I raised this one from seed sown three years ago.  As with many South African plants, it's not very hardy but has survived in cold frame and greenhouse here, including down to -5C last December.

A showery day which started with a thunderstorm, a monumental downpour and big hail.   Things did improve from there and the showers were infrequent with lots of blue sky and sun in  between.   I had Bella today while Jamie and his PA were in Aberystwyth and took advantage of morning sun to give both dogs a run at the ball field.   Heading home I was briefly distracted by the sound of a train at Rhydyronen - extra pic - a photo special being run for publicity filming. Avid readers of Rev'd W Awdry will recognise the loco, the Rev was a regular volunteer, incorporating some of his adventures into his stories.

Mum has come to stay for a couple of nights and will be keeping an eye on Meg while I pop over to Ruth's on the train tomorrow.  The house never looked so tidy .... not that it's a show home you understand!   I have made some progress in the clearing and sorting this winter, today I needed to tie up some loose ends and clean through.  Happy with it.   Tonight Mum came with me to pottery and was welcomed warmly.  Just a spectator tonight, we'll go back soon so she can have a go and return to something she last did in Canada in the 1950s ... around the same time the Rev'd Awdry was volunteering here!