It ain't over

On Saturday I blipped about Mombretia and the significance of this enchanting flower for me. As I child I always thought of fairies dancing as the little trumpets bounced in the breeze ... and then Mindseye mentioned another variety of this - which I'd never heard of until oddly enough, I saw this flower today growing profusely in the hospice garden (as can sort of be seen in today's shot behind the dry grasses). Fiery red "Lucifer", I have ordered one to grow in the border of Dad's garden.

Today my Darling Dad demonstrated that it ain't over till he says so. I arrived after lunch to find him profoundly, deeply, resolutely asleep after what I was told was a very disturbed and restless night. I sat beside his bed for hours. I walked in the Hospice Garden taking photos. I drank tea. I watched him breathe. I held his hand. I was advised to consider that the worst might happen sooner rather than later. I called my brother to come - and he did - but had to bring the kids because his wife is out tonight ..... and then Dad woke up! Just like that. While the children played in the beautiful gardens of the Hospice in the mid-evening restful warm, Gareth and I chatted with Dad who asked about the Commonwealth games opening, had I bought him his liquorice Pontefract cakes and what had happened to his dinner? Way to go Dad.

Finally home at 21.55 and sank my ale-for-the-day in double time.

Ale in England #16 Abbot Ale (Greene King) Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Alc 5% vol. Rather disappointed actually at this famous brew of my youth which tonight tasted less than enough, so I moved on to wine.

btw, probably the hottest day yet - relentless sunshine @ +/- 30ºC. Can this really be England?