A while back I sowed some 'Love in a Mist' (or Nigella) seeds. They took what seemed for ever to germinate and then, after weeks of seemingly nothing happening, the tiniest green shoots popped up through the soil and from there they started to grow. By the end of July, after weeks of sunny weather, …
Close to where I live, there is an area of wasteland that marks the entrance to a housing estate. For most of the year, it's just two fields of grass, with a few trees here and there. Cars drive by continually on the adjacent busy road and no one pays any attention to the fields…
Normally, in July, at the height of summer, we can expect some decent downpours here. Just as the schools finish and the holiday season gets underway, the rain usually pops by to say hello just when we want it the least. Not so this July. The heatwave, which started some time way back when I…
After the strong winds of the past few days (thank you Hector), I've been back out again in the garden, sweeping up the debris and surveying the damage. To my surprise, though, everything looks ok - a bit battered around the edges perhaps but not as bad as I was expecting. The good old Irish…
On the north eastern shore of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in Europe, lies a hidden gem called Rea's Wood. The last time I was there I was about 10 years old , on a walk with my dad. Except then I didn't know it was Rea's Wood - it was just an area…
The second or third week in May almost always brings good weather here. It reminds me of my teenage years when I had to study for my O Levels and A levels. At the very moment when I needed to be indoors doing revision, the long awaited sunshine arrived. I can remember wistfully looking out…
The weekend has delighted us with hours of lovely May sunshine and time to potter about our little plot. These past few weeks I've made several trips to the local garden centres, picking up some alpines and cottage garden plants to add to the borders, after the harsh winter took it's toll on some longstanding…
