Short break.

Thank you for the lovely comments on the graduation.

Grandson has a job waiting as a Research assistant in Kent, so he is delighted.

Bit far away though.

I'm taking a break for a while.

August is always busy, We have friends who used to live in France coming to see us, four family birthdays, and various medical appointments.

So I'll see you later.

 I'm sure I'll have time to read your posts and comment, but I won't be posting myself.

Graduation day

So here we have the rear view of eldest grandson, who received his degree from Exeter University in Conservation Biology this week.

The ceremony was in Truro Cathedral followed by a reception in the University.

(edit; Mary asked why would Exeter Uni have the ceremony in Cornwall? Exeter has a beautiful new campus at Penryn, near Falmouth, which is where these students have been.)

This lovely lady is Floella Benjamin the Chancellor of the University.

She spoke so well, full of advice and humour.

As every graduand went up to receive their degree she gave them a huge hug with a few private words.

I seem to remember her as a Television presenter with childrens' programmes?

 Many of these young people, having studied for three years, will now be 

on their way into a new life, hopefully with a career, a job, or maybe continuing with further study. Jobs in England are at a premium and we hear of many graduates searching for months.

And here's a rare glimpse....fond Grandma with graduate.
My husband wasn't well enough to come to the ceremony so a quick home visit was arranged to 'show Grandpa the robes'. 
Wasn't that kind?

Alchemilla Mollis.

Recently Lorrie asked if the greenery in my header photo was Alchemilla.

It is indeed.

Alchemilla is one of my very old favourites, introduced to me so many years ago by my gardening Mum.

It is also known as Lady's Mantle, and is a wonderful plant for filling in spaces.....

until it decides to do exactly what it wants.

Like this.

It froths and seeds everywhere, in pathways, between stones, in flower beds, even in a plant pot already occupied.

But I love it!

It's a sea of gorgeous greenery.

When the rain has fallen, the leaves collect little quicksilvery droplets, which in ancient Arabic times were said to have magical properties.

In fact, in Arabic,  the name Alchemilla means 'little magical one'.

I love to think that my garden is full of little magical ones!

I have now been good, and cut it back. So it will probably flower again later...whilst planning its next excursion.

It looks so good in any flower arrangement.

Wet garden

Even on a very rainy day there are splashes of colour in the garden, bringing the hope that the sun might possibly return.

The pots of verbena, geraniums, lobelia and nicotiana sit happily in a corner of the terrace. At night the scent of the Nicotiana is overwhelming.

I love to plant it in pots and place them near our seating area.

This is 'Pullman Orient Express', a rose that came over from France as a cutting. I'm not sure whether it is found here.

Sadly my camera (or maybe me) isn't able to focus on the detail of this lovely bicoloured rose.
It's underplanted with Geranium Rozanne, one of the longest flowering of the varieties.

A pale clematis climbs the obelisk.

Another clematis runs up the old apple tree, and overhangs the Agapanthus and delphiniums.

It's a blue corner.

I'm not staying out there as the rain is really coming down with a vengeance now.
But even in the rain there is always something to enjoy in the garden.

Wet Sunday.

 What do you do on a wet and windy Sunday?

The garden is too wet to set foot in it.

So off to Trelissick Gardens for lunch in the Barn restaurant.

The Barn has been a restaurant for many years, and at one time had a wonderful circular fireplace in the centre. Maybe it was considered a Health and Safety risk as it is no more now.

The Barn is only open for Sunday lunch and it is always good.

And afterwards?

Well, the men's Finals at Wimbledon of course.

It was so sad to see Roger Federer go out.

And now?

Phone call time to Canadian daughter, which always enlivens my evening!

Small harvest.

Here, she said proudly, is my Gooseberry harvest.

Well, now that we don't have an acre of garden with a huge fruit cage, I was determined to have at least one soft fruit plant.

So my gooseberry has grown in a large pot this year, and produced 20 berries!

Next year maybe more.

I also picked a handful of Mangetout (sugar snap peas) and some Broad beans, which we shall have for lunch.

Oh, and a few potatoes too. These are a variety called Nicola and are delicious in salads.

The space we have for vegetables is about 4 metres x 1 metre.

It's surprising how much one can grow in a small space.

I do all the gardening now so this is enough for me.

 I have one big Courgette (zucchini), some climbing runner beans, French beans, a few leeks, mangetout peas, and broad beans...and a couple of Butterhead lettuce too.

This year has been a poor year for vegetables and so many people are saying the same. I did wonder whether next year just to dig up the bed and plant gooseberries only!

Next will be the tomato harvest from the greenhouse. 

More on that later.