Sunday, July 06, 2014

Lazy Summer Days

Ahh Summer! You dream about it all winter and when it actually arrives it's something to savour. I know summer heat can get intense and even oppressive on some parts of the world, which effectively prevents nearly anyone from doing anything outdoors from late morning till late afternoon. Here in the UK it rarely gets that uncomfortably warm even on sunny days where temperatures rarely goes above 30C. Okay, stretches of sunny and dry weather are not guaranteed here either (sometimes we don't get it at all, like in 2012) so when you do get it, it is an extra incentive to enjoy it.

Even Twinkles is enjoying summer in the garden
So far this summer is proving to be a really good one (by British standards).

We seem to have been a little bit lazy and extra chilled out this year. It started with our non appearance to Cornwall last May which broke a tradition. Then a decision not to renew our membership to Kew this year and have breather from a place that we love but got too familiar with. We haven't been to as many shows and fairs, or garden and nursery visits either, especially compared to our fervour from previous years. Replanting following the fire damage was completed earlier this year and the jungle hut repainted and redecorated but apart from that no major projects have been undertaken.

Previous years have been so much more intense for us, especially the last one so we do need to slow down and just...enjoy the garden!

Loving this variegated Beschorneria septentrionalis, which doesn't show signs of burning on the new leaves even in full sun
Especially on beautiful summer days like today.

Usually we still do lots of pottering on days like today but there was a moment earlier when we were both sitting down doing...nothing. Then Gaz suggested that we get some building sand to start sorting out the quarantine pond (which was a much delayed project). Usually I would say yes but not this time, I said no and suggested we do very little instead. He immediately agreed. Best decision of the weekend.

So it has been a generally a lazy weekend for us, doing not much but enjoying every moment of it! And it looks like the trend will be like that for most of this summer.

Magnolia denudata 'McCracken's Variegate
Different colours on the leaves of Magnolia denudata 'McCracken's Variegate
The mind continues to wander though and we know this laziness is just us recharging our batteries. Plans are brewing for things to do later this year and next year, that's just the way we are.

I mentioned that we haven't been to many events and places this summer so far, a major contradiction to that is about to happen as we gear ourselves to be inspired by Hampton Court Flower Show tomorrow, and be thrilled by Portland later.

Aeonium 'Poldark'
Aeonium 'Poldark' one of the new hybrids from Trewidden 
So good thing we were lazy, we need the energy for the next few days!

I leave you with a photo of this Quercus currently delighting us with a new flush of leaves. It looks fab but I'm too lazy to rummage through my plant label box to find out its species. Maybe later, it's summer where procrastination is more forgivable.


Mark :-)

23 comments :

  1. Sitting back and enjoying the day is the best reward for all the work you've put in this year. Hampton Court should be nice, I think I like it best of the shows you attend. Have fun in Portland too.



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a really nice show Shirley, show gardens are generally more 'realistic' , has a relaxed atmosphere, and you can plant shop!

      Delete
  2. I think you deserve some lazy days after last year's whirlwind. Sometimes taking a break from the familiar just helps you enjoy it all the more when you get back into it. Enjoy the show tomorrow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Kris, absence makes the heart grow fonder which I'm finding is the case this time :)

      Delete
  3. I agree with what the others have said. You've been so busy in recent years you deserve a lazy summer. Looking forward to seeing you on this side of the Atlantic very soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need to Gerhard, our bodies are saying so as well. See you soon!

      Delete
  4. Hi Mark, it feels so good to hear that you guys also have to slow down, at least sometimes. Makes you two much more human ;-)! Well, obviously I am just green with envy because of all the projects that you were doing since I follow your blog. Enjoy the lazy days of summer! Warm regards,
    Christina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We love these lazy days Christina, only thing is we might get so used to it!

      Delete
  5. Good for you taking a breather, you'll need to have all your energy reserves filled because we've got a very busy GBF schedule ahead! (So excited you're going to be here!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good idea to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your intense labor and enjoy this year's weather. I have to say that the Aeonium 'Poldark' is spectacular. I thought it was Hens and Chicks at first. Very cool looking plant.
    Cher Sunray Gardens
    Goldenray Yorkies

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a fab Aeonium Cher, remaining compact too :)

      Delete
  7. Knowing you two I guess the current laziness will just mean you suddenly fire into super mode activity in the near future :-) It is important to peruse what you have achieved and to get yet more ideas of what can be done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true Don. We needed this slow period and lazy days to recuperate from previously intense years. Hopefully we'll recharge nicely ready to get stuck in again later this year :)

      Delete
  8. Happy summer! I love your Magnolia denudata 'McCracken's Variegate'. You always feature such interesting plants. You have already done plenty this summer, and you certainly need to take time to rest and enjoy the garden. Time to sit and stare into space… isn't that when the mental wheels start turning and inspiration for future changes and projects hits?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Debs, rest periods are needed to brew those ideas :)

      Delete
  9. Glad to see you taking your cue from Twinkles, who obviously has the right idea. Save your energy for Portland, guys. Can't wait to meet you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. These fabulous summer days are so fleeting, you are right to enjoy them and savour them. I wish we could save summer in a bottle and just uncork it a little on a grey November day, to give a little cheer !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ahhh, lazy weekends are excellent :) there's been a few of those here lately!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Good to hear that sometimes even you two put your feet up and take the time to just enjoy what you have created! Though I would like to know about the quercus...

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to reply to our post, we love reading comments and hearing your views.

Due to the increased level of spam, please note comments on older posts are moderated and only published after approval. All new comments are read and any spam is deleted.