16th May

When I say we are gripped by a heatwave the thermometer will give you an idea of exactly what I mean.  This is unseasonably warm for this time of year and we are totally unprepared.  We are wilting and all feeling a bit lethargic.  However I was up early this morning and out doing my watering before the sun was up - kinder for the plants and, as I hadn't done them last night they were in need of a drink.

A couple of the highlights in the front Garden are the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow plant on the left which was a gift from Sheila and Klaus for our wedding anniversary in 2016 and which has taken a while to get established but is now looking lovely - the flowers are such delicate shades of deep purply blue, light mauve and pale mauve as they change depending on how long they have been blooming.  By contrast in the opposite corner is a shock of pinks with the mesembryanthamum thing with its shocking pink flowers which open up during the day and close at night and a cutting of a geranium which is a vibrant crimson red.

It was by far too hot to work outside today so John set about what he said was going to be quick job but did, in fact, take several hours.  He removed the catflap from the middle of the kitchen door which used to be a door to the outside before the conservatory was built.  This catflap got cleaned up and will go into the panel in the conservatory which is being insulated.  The glass panel to the right of the kitchen door was taken out and aluminium put in and a space left which will become a new cat flap in due course or even just left as a gap as we have ensured that Fatty (Charlie) can wriggle his bulk through.  Yes it does make the kitchen everso slightly darker but not enough to worry about.

I am gradually getting rid of some of my old craft bits and pieces because they take up so much room and I decided to make a gift for Isabel as she had told me how much she loves butterflies and how she is sure that when she sees one now it is David watching over her.  I was rather pleased with how it turned out and hopefully if and when I get to give it to her she will think so too.  I shall check to see if she wants any shopping next week.  I am concerned that she will not be eating properly so may well drop some soup down to her just to make sure she has something.