Yes, I know November is over, but I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the month just past before rushing into the whirlwind that is December ! November never seems to get good press and to be honest, it has never been a favourite month of mine, stuck as it is between golden…
Back in spring (seems like a lifetime ago now), I sowed a few cosmos seeds. They're a favourite of my father in law whose garden is always full of them come summertime. And sure enough, after a few weeks, they germinated and up they sprouted with their fern like foliage. Before too long, I planted…
We love to get away at this time of year for a short break, just before autumn ends and winter takes over. Our destination this October was Rathlin Island, which lies approximately six miles to the north of Ballycastle off the north coast. Rich in history, flora and wildlife (seals, puffins and the elusive golden…
I've been enjoying a few days' off at the moment. My parents are cruising in the Greek Isles (lucky them!) which means I become the day time dog walker of you know who. I am happy to go wherever Boris takes me, he is in charge after all. And with the beautiful October sunshine in…
If there is one thing I love about September, it's the light. That gorgeous, mellow light that streams through the bedroom window in the morning and illuminates the kitchen in the evening. Light that makes for beautiful, wistful scenes on a walk through the neighbourhood, seeping through the hedgerows, lengthening the shadows, highlighting the golds…
It has felt like summer has eluded us for the last month or so. It's hard to believe there was a hosepipe ban here just a short time ago, when August has brought so much unrelenting rain. It has been warm, though, and in between the showers, there have been glimpses of an August summer.…
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, …
