Scruff-bag

On the way back from our writing group this afternoon we had a stake-out on the lavender and buddleia where the bees abound. While we were photographing a stand of lavender a charming gentleman called Neil invited us in to tour his front garden. It was extraordinary to see what he had created in a relatively small area, right on the street, yet much of it hidden from view.

I think this bumblebee is bombus hortorum, described in Collins Pocket Guide to Insects of Britain and Western Europe as "A rather 'scruffy' species with long hair".

I've put a couple of photos of bumbles in the buddleia here and here.

Veg update: Planted out lots of lettuce, picked french beans, tied wild tomatoes and accocha to stakes. The raspberries are just beginning. Blackcurrants need picking soon!