Gaudy Tulips

Just over a week ago, I noted in a link to my BlipFoto submission that we had some spectacular and unusual tulips blooming in the garden, and that the bulbs had been a gift from a good friend.

Some of the tulip flowers have been so unusual that I feel little compunction in offering a second viewing of what is now on view from this little tulip patch. In case anyone would like to see some blooms in closeup, please look here!

There was a good smell of cooking in the garden when I took this photograph! Ones spouse had decided that this wonderful warm and sunny day should be marked with the first barbecue of the season. I nearly decided to use this photograph of the amoke as my Blipfoto for the day rather than the tulips, but colour rather than grey smoke won the day!

We had a great meal based on marinaded pork fillet chargrilled with Greek Oregano (and chips, and some luxury home-assembled coleslaw).

It was a slightly unusual day for food and meals. Just after coffee in bed, we decided to forgo breakfast this morning, and instead drive to the Bicester Garden Centre, where we needed to buy some garden supplies, and where was an offer of 10% off on purchases made by 11:00. What's more, we already had vouchers for a free cup of coffee each.... This Garden Centre makes a superb effort at getting customers in early in the day: special breakfast offers, sometimes. The slightly bizarre thing about today is that customers could not actually buy anything until 10:30, on account, we were told, of "Sunday Trading Laws". Greta idea! Get customers in by offering 10% off until 11:00, and free coffee, but don't let them buy anything until 10:30. You can imagine the queues at the checkouts just after 10:30, with customres now allowed to pay, but trying to beat the 11:00 deadline.

Anyway, you will note that your humble reporter here, and his spouse, have had plenty of coffee, but no food. We remedied that with a fry-up brunch at 12:30, and then started the wood-burning exercise at 17:30, with the pork ready at 19:15.

In between brunch and dinner (BBQ), I was much occupied in the sunny garden with trying to resuscitate eldery solar lights (LED). These lights suffer a bit in the winter, with the electronic circuit panels submerged in water, wires and soldered connections corroded and broken, contacts with the batteries rusty and oxidised, the batteries on their last legs, the output from the solar cells and their charging capabilities somewhat in doubt.... But, surprisingly, I think some are restored to health. Soon, I can find out: "the Sun is setting in the west", as the Teletubbies say. Indeed, it is almost dusk, and I shall go into the garden to inspect my handiwork: I'll take some single malt (Islay) with me as a comfort in case the success rate is poor.