The Beauty of Now -Part 1

It's June.....how did that happen?! I cannot believe how very fast this year is going...early summer already and this blog...and YOU! ...have been sadly neglected. This will be a two-part catch up, as I don't want you to have no time to read and look properly. There will also be a giveaway in the next instalment, so be sure to check back!


The churchyard is such a serene and beautiful place...I love it that on warm days it's full of people having picnics, chatting or simply reading amongst the daisies...


We love living here so much. But we sometimes have a break, to see other places, people, views...



We stayed in our very own mini castle in February! Actually a folly, built as a birthday present in the 19th century by a wife as a surprise for her beloved husband...and this holiday was a surprise from me to mine!


Cosy and elegant...we spent evenings in this lovely room, which was right on the top floor (one room on each of 4 floors...many, many stairs!) to catch the views..


Someone stayed warm & toasty at all times!
The tower stood in the middle of a pine forest, and it was so quiet...especially at night when all you could hear were rustling branches and owls hooting...



And not to be missed was the view from the turrets at dawn...


a perfect break!


We walked this wonderful beach in South Devon last month...early in the morning, our favourite time. Alice adores the seaside!



But it's difficult to tear myself away from our garden in May and June...


Spot the spider on the gorgeous iris below. This bloom was 'born' on my niece's 12th birthday in May...a day for beauties, obviously....


Honeysuckle now covers the pergola....


and allium are so delicate looking, and yet so long lasting...I love the way they add height and interest to a bed of shrubs...


This has been the best year yet, here, for irises of all types...


I couldn't stop looking at these...the vibrant blue just drew me in....


Mesmerising. Our garden is a real magnet for bees, I'm happy to say...


the bumbles especially adore the ceanothus and the foxgloves...






Can you spot one just leaving in the photo above? So happy to encourage them...it's not difficult to plant even a few things which attract and nourish them, and they are so important to all of us!

We visited the Welsh borders a couple of weeks ago, to attend the Hay Festival...a celebration of literature and reading, held each year in Hay-on-Wye. The weather was changeable...


But that's what makes it so green, of course! The views were breathtaking...


The photo above was taken on a road called 'Angel's Pass'...the clouds are masking the Black Hills in the distance (always makes me think of Doris Day in 'Calamity Jane' but of course hers were in Dakota!)


The hills above are part of the Brecon Beacons...it's such a rich and fertile area, much of our tomato, asparagus and other summer crops are grown here.

And now it's June. I was particularly happy to turn to this month's page in Susan Branch's wall calendar. Those of you that also have it, will know that it's dedicated to fathers. And I'm so proud to say that MY dad takes pride of place in the border, between Mark Twain and Walt Disney no less! He was so thrilled when he found out at Christmas. Although he is frail, he is still enjoying life and the sunshine...and it is wonderful that he was honoured like this by my darling friend....


How lucky I am to have such people in my life....

Part two will follow soon! Thanks for being patient with me...I hope this year has been good to you, too, so far.

Xoxo

Posted using BlogPress by Rachel Lucas 2014