Finally

Runner beans, two are already huge, too big to eat, I will leave them to ripen for seeds, there are more on the plants and loads of flowers. 

Another cucumber ready for picking, I have one in the fridge so I will leave this one for a few days, there are loads more forming and still flowers.

Tomatoes, these from two plants, it's a poor year for them, along with home grown lettuce, we can have a salad.

Hubby took all the cuttings from the front to our local tip over the weekend, he just wanted it gone, next door did not appear, sadly she knows we will stand our ground and only verbally attacks anyone else on our property. Hubby also cleaned all the windows inside and out, nice to see them dust free, I think he was bored.

We finally have had proper rain, early this morning, it's a steady constant rain, perfect to soak into the parched soils, the last time we had rain like this was June 10th, I am hoping to see a fresh garden in the coming days. 

Seeing red

 I arrived back home late afternoon on Monday and took a walk around the garden, this beautiful dahlia is now blooming, I purchased it last month, after the initial bloom faded the plant showed no signs of growth, suddenly it has a growth spurt and loads of buds.

This pelargonium is in a big mug shaped pot on my outside table, it's loving the hot summer. 

This rose is its third lot of blooms, it's was struggling until I popped it in a big pot in a sunny place.

A deeper red in this pot, with two shades of pink.

This Gaura is from a cutting, only small this year, such a pretty shade of pink.

I had a great time with daughter and children, the accommodation was really good, plenty of space inside, not too hot, the kitchen was fully equipped, we only used the cooker top for breakfast bacon, the toaster, kettle and dish washer. The site has been extended, our area was only added in the last year, the club house area was very busy, the pools were full, other than having lunch in the restaurant, and the children having time in the arcades, we stayed at our accommodation, the children loved the hot tub, they spent most of the days in the water. Daughter took Will and Molly to a china painting session, I stayed back with George, who loved having the hot tub to himself. Molly went dancing with mummy each evening, Will was not interested in going, George would hate the crowds.

Monday we had lunch with Grandma and Grandpa, it was lovely to sit outside, it felt so cool with a lovely breeze, we all agree we show a united front to our little ones, their dad might not be present in their lives, but grand parents are.

It's pure joy to be home, I slept well last night, we have nothing planned for today, just a lazy day at home, Wednesday I will pop to daughters to sit for an hour, then Molly is coming for a sleepover.

There is rain in the forecast, its cloudy and muggy, no rain here yet.

Noisy break

 Daughter booked a get away in the same holiday park as last year, under an hours drive from home, so I'm half way through a 4 day break, hubby elected to stay home with Lilly. The children loved the hot tub, with cool water, they are having more fun than at the big pool. Mummy and I have our dip later.

The evenings are cooler, thank goodness, this lovely sky on Friday evening, we are not expecting any rain, once again it will miss us.

The park is peaceful, we have an enclosed deck for George's safety, we are not using the main pools they preferred the hot tub, we spend time in arcade and it's a rest for daughter as well. Again we saw so many people show so much kindness towards George and his siblings. We went out for a cool drink and football was on the big screen, George loves football and was stood beside 3 men, after checking with us they got him a chair to sit on, on when they got their drinks they got George a juice and crisps, strangers showing so much care, 

This break is much needed, the relentless heat has kept me inside, I have little desire to go out, plus the kerfuffle with next doors lies against such a lovely man, who, keeping to all the rules to do a job of trimming back all the overgrown stuff, most of her plants are now taller than our bungalow.  I'm feeling so much better, plus it's much cooler and better for sleeping.  

Just a trim

 Our magnolia tree has put on so much growth this summer, after a poor spring with no flowers, we have had summer flowers, here before it's cut back. I have been using grey water for this tree and my acer, 

Now looking much better, we always use the same guy to keep this tree small (they can grow huge), hubby got the shredder out and all the waste is in my mulch bins, hopefully loads of mulch for next spring.

My pond is looking good, so many birds and Lilly drink from here so I keep it topped up, the water hyacinth has new growth, this area is in shade most of the day, it only gets evening sunshine in the summer months, our magnolia gives it so much shade. There are other water spots around the garden which I keep full of water for wildlife. 

The garden is not so bad, the plastic grass helps, a green lawn always makes the view better, this summer the left hand side of the garden has become our patio, which is silly as it's been a patio for 3 years, now we use the whole area, it gets sunshine all morning and into the afternoon, by mid afternoon there is shade.

Sadly our horrible neighbour has caused issues again, we got the guys to cut back the overgrown vegetation along the boundary in the front of our house, he was very professional and ensured he kept to the boundary, she came out and accused him of cutting the front section over the pavement, and started shouting. Hubby had taken photos before the work started and afterwards, needless to say, our lovely guy had not touched the front. Hubby has sent her an email as we still have the cuttings, the arborist will collect later in the week. I am hoping she is not causing him any issues, if she continues I will report her once again to police for harassment. 

Portsmouth Water who supplies our water has issued a statement, which says they have no plans to issue a hosepipe ban, their water comes from under ground water and one river, their supply is always topped up in the wetter months, and whilst levels are lower, if everyone helps they should manage through this spell. Which is brilliant news, they are known for quickly repairing any leaks as well, so their management is better than most water companies, we use as much grey water as we can. The rest of Hampshire is with Southern water, who has a terrible reputation for leaks and mismanagement. 

It's extremely sad to see huge fires in the new forest after a van caught fire on Monday which started the crisis, the main road south is still closed, and not due to open until later next week, whilst the fire is under control, its still a huge risk.