Spirea

The flowers are very pretty but the shrub itself, Spirea douglasii, is an absolute thug! It's making a takeover bid for the front garden. Started removing some of it this afternoon, to discover several other shrubs that had been completely hidden underneath. Didn't stay outside long - it was far too windy.

MrM had another early start and a 12-hour working day, first for the bakery, then at the music shop, so I was home alone. Finally got round to filing huge amounts of paperwork about the house purchase. Then tackled a few household chores.

A film and a couple of glasses of reed in the evening.

For the last few days there have been widespread riots, burning and looting in France, sparked off by the shooting of a teenager by a policeman. Slightly worried about Lucy who's staying on for a week after finishing her artist's residency in Caylus, a beautiful mediaeval village. Hoping she and Reuben, who flew out to join her yesterday, will be able to enjoy a safe and peaceful holiday. They were in Toulouse yesterday, where there's been rioting, but moved on today...