Late this afternoon I listened to the deceptively sweet trilling of a rival robin issuing war cries from a tree in the garden of No 5 Downton Lane whilst I stood in the Rose Garden photographing
lemon yellow climber Summer Time;
aptly named Altissimo glowing against the clear blue sky;
Madame Alfred Carriere draped over the entrance arch;
pinkish Penny Lane scaling the potting shed;
glorious Gloriana;
clustered Crown Princess Margareta;
and florid Festive Jewel.
On my way back towards the house I admired the species tulip and Japanese maple juxtaposition in the Palm Bed
and passed another peony opened in the Dragon Bed.
Down the Head Gardener’s Walk I rounded the greenhouse which still accommodates plenty of pelargonium cuttings,
and came upon Nugget, too currently domesticated for battle, gathering supplies from his food tray, now suitably wired against blackbirds.
He briefly whispered in the wisteria before heading off to his family.
Soon we will dine on chicken Kiev, roast potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and green beans. I will refrain from eulogising the quality of the cooking just in case the menu items turn out to be soggy or burnt, especially as Jackie is currently drinking Heineken and I am busy finishing the Shiraz.