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

Comments

  1. What an absolutely lovely holiday you had at that castle! Love the pictures of your iris. I've the very same calendar hanging here. I send good wishes to your father for his health. Take care!

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  2. I was happy to see on twitter today that you have a new post, Rachel. It looks so beautiful in your part of the world. Between you and Susan, we must plan our trip to Great Britain. The castle you booked looks so lovely and romantic and all the beautiful flowers along with the bumbles are just perfect. I saw your dad's name on Susan's calendar as I flipped to June. How nice to hear he enjoyed it. xoxo ♥

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  3. Great to read your blog again! It has been a long time. Such beautiful pictures, as usual. Well, as you always used to;-). My wife and I are actually going to Devon this very summer. I hope to see some castles there.

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  4. Hi honey! So sweet. I loved everything (to the point of tears in wishing to be there) but my favorite was the two pink chairs, the fire, and Alice. I have to show it all to Joe. Kisses to you and yours xoxo Love you.

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  5. The title says it all! You would cheer up even the most miserable people on earth, Rachel, with your infectious enthusiasm and love of life. These are not the simple pleasures, but the essence of life on earth. Brava and thanks to you for all of this.

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  6. Just lovely, Rachel. All of it! The garden, the churchyard, the castle getaway and the beach and dear Alice. So lovely to hear about your world. We have been experience and English kind of rain throughout the spring, too. Unusual for us, and everything is green and growing! Just wonderful! Reminds me of my New England childhood! I do so love hearing your gentle descriptions and seeing your beautiful countryside. How special of Susan to include your dear Dad on the calender! How is he doing, by the way? I am so glad he is still enjoying life. I am also so excited about Susan's most recent blog and the wonderful giveaways! Thank you for including me in your mail out. I will look forward to part 2. xoxo

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  7. Rachel, Thank you for sharing. The Castle-Folly was one of the most romantic destinations that I've ever seen! I must plant foxglove. It grows wild in our ditches here east of Seattle, Washington, but I regret to say that I don't have any in my garden. Your photos were delectable.~michele

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  8. Darling gitl--those foxglove pictures are positively por-no-graphic! Gorgeous all. I'm at the farm for a bit. Taking mom c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y to a reunion in Ohio. She send a BIG hug. Me, too. Love to all. Especially YOU. JoEllen

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  9. lovely post would love a night in that wonderful castle! thanks for the great pics.

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  10. Rachel, so glad to discover your blog update today, and am about to head to Part 2! Thank you for the lovely photos and narratives...and for identifying the mystery man on Susan's calendar page! Enjoy your summer...

    Sharon in Alabama

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