After a shaky start pleased to see that my new rambler Francis E Lester has begun its journey up the pergola. It has one job. To be vigorous and cover it. www.rhs.org.uk/plants/91730...

Loving the chance these slightly cooler mornings we have in South Warwickshire give me to coffee in the garden.

Daily visit of what I think is a hummingbird moth to the nepeta. Not seen before in the garden. 😍

Field at back of us on other side of the Tachbrook been cut today. Still some machinery going up and down. Quite soothing sound. Grasses on planned country park site bleached blond.

Looking on at preps for #BritGrad2026 @shakesinstitute.bsky.social. They’ve even got the perfect weather organised.

Just watching. House Martins and bluetits flitting about, scent of the trachelospermum fighting with the aroma of chicken carcass simmering on hob. Reading month old FT magazine. What else is a lazy afternoon meant for.

Breakfast in the garden and first sighting of the house martins.😍

I’ve got one similar if she’s looking to make a set. Not quite medieval but pretty geriatric now.

They’re mad. Think I’ll go and plant another hedge.

Current situation after PB on bike at physio this morning. An afternoon made for feet up.

Doing the washing up and glancing up struck by the bank of fluffy little clouds over the wood in the distance. Joyful sight!

Morning view. Wonderful what few pots of flowering bulbs can do.

One of the great joys in life. A brown paper parcel tied up with string from Woods of Harrogate. 😍

Left these little ones behind in the garden this morning. 😊

It’s over! New hip in there somewhere and a digestive never tasted so good! Astonishing what can be done in 90 minutes. Going to treat myself to new pair of walking boots as soon as.

Look what I came home with! Special issue of Midlands History on Midlands Metal Trades. Guest-edited by @typetweets.bsky.social and #Ann-MarieCarey. Plenty to keep me going here.

Spotted on sister’s table. Is it a lamb chop? No, it’s the garden and shrubbery of the Jervoise family of Herriard parish, Hampshire. Written by Alex Craven, latest short from Hampshire group of @vch-home.bsky.social. Draws on family archive of over 250,000 documents.

And tonight it’s Mary Berry’s Apple Cake. I prefer it baked in a slightly larger tin than the recipe says so that it’s a thinner cake. Oh well, just have to try I guess.

Nigel Slater’s Chocolate Cake. First time I’ve made it for about 5 years and first time in this house. Always better after a day or two. But have taken a test chunk just to be sure.

Oh dear. Got hijacked by some books today.

Having a lovely time at the #Global Identities International Conference today. Disappointed not to have made it in person but got my supplies around me. Enjoying this session on Gardens and Global Identities.

Watching sun rise over Cowper & Newton Museum in Olney through very dirty windows of my hotel. Not been on research trip for aeons. I have overpacked. And there are stairs. Steep stairs.

Peaches and apricots from my green-fingered neighbour over the road. And HUGE bag of apples. Warwickshire bounty. Oh, and on Tibor Reich plates. That was serendipity.

The state of the persicaria this morning! Next to a peony that’s taking its time. But I think they do. My anemones too look like they are going to do nothing. They’ll all have to shift for themselves until the rain I think as the butts are empty.🌧️

Rain and gloom in South Warwickshire this morning. How bleached those grasses are in the old field running down to the Tachbrook and the tree line.

Now, give me Tottering by Gently any day. A beautiful single bloom. Just catching the sun yesterday.

Still, still morning. Apart from clanking of bird feeder now magpie has left it. Decided really not enamoured of this Gabriel Oak rose which fades to rather dirty deep pink. In fact not keen on these blousy-type roses at all now I’m living with them!

Morning view inviting me to get out there and deadhead. Or at least snip a few crabs off the tree which is laden down with fruits and in danger of losing some branches. However, a day at a desk with material culture has to take precedence.

Loving the movement conveyed in this planting of alliums at West Green House, Hartley Wintney. Also desire this orange bench!

Love this. When you come home from shopping with STUFF you don’t need. From ‘Men’s things’ by @eicathomefinn.bsky.social, Social History, 25:2.