The weather over the past few weeks has been uninpiring to say the least. Today Summer has returned, the sky an expanse of blue and barely a cloud to be seen. The mornings are getting darker with a distinct nip in the air.

Today I see something of a first, the resident black cat and Fox together side by side, quite content in each other's company and quite happy to ignore each other!

I love to hear the tic-tic of the Robin, and see a group of sparrows taking food from under the bird table. Thumper, the woodpigeon, is rapidly taking food off the birdtable! Small and large white butterflies are enjoying Nicotiana Sylvestris, a plant I would highly recommend if you have the space.

The garden is changing, now Autumn is fast approaching. Rosa rugosa has turned to hips and trees and shrubs are showing their clusters of red berries.

The plants looking at their best, are Sedum with its red/pink florettes and the cerise/red combination of Dahlias.

Today I make a start in moving plants into different spaces around the garden.
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August has been a busy month. There's no shortage of bees buzzing around the garden, that much I do know!
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Sunny and warm. An inherited Buddleia bush is attracting the Peacock and Painted Lady butterfly. The Red Admiral is also enjoying the nectar from its many puce flowers. I rarely see this butterfly nowadays, not like the Painted Lady who, this year is abundant in large numbers. The Holly Blue and Gatekeeper butterflies are residents of the garden too.

The colour of the moment is blue, with Anchusa, Echinops, Salvia and Eryngium. The latter two have blue stems, especially so the Sea Holly, which is vibrant blue.

Separated and re-potted Auriculas, and have made lots more plants for the borders next Spring. Dug up the rapid spread of Galium (Sweet Woodruff).
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A day of sunshine and bubbling clouds. After a ferocious storm, and heavy rain in the week, the borders have had a much needed soak. I see no birds all day. I know a Fox is visiting the garden. On a couple of occasions I have caught its tail end disappearing through the undergrowth, and is frequently leaving its deposits around the garden too!

Planted three types of Dahlia, a white and blue Salvia in pots, for added colour around the garden.
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Mid afternoon a storm passes over like a whirlwind, bringing with it torrential rain. It is all over in a flash. Two male Gatekeeper butterflies are in dispute over territory, whirling around each other like frantic. I hear, but don't see the Great Tits in the garden. I do see the Wood Pigeon, such a comical bird. It takes much time to manoeuvre itself onto the birdtable when it would be so much simpler to peck spilt seed off the ground! After nine, with the advent of nightfall I see Pipestrelle Bats circling around the garden for the first time this year.

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Cut back Geranium for second flush.

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