Filling the days

I honestly didn't think I'd be longing for grey skies and rain.  It's been so hot again today, 22C at 10am.  We had planned to go for a walk but decided it was just too hot.  So I found a shady spot and finished off my third baby cardigan - I used a basic top down for this, using up some oddments for the stripes

I've now started on some sweater vests/tank/slipover whatever you want to call them for Laurie for the autumn.  Now they don't wear school uniform it can be hard going on their clothes.  Laurie loves to dress up and puts together some amazing outfits when he has a mind to. This is an aran weight yarn - Sirdar Denim with some oddment of navy - lost the band - for the edging

Whilst we are having a hard time keeping the plants alive with the heat we still have plenty of colour.  One thing I was really pleased to find when we moved in was a hibiscus bush.  This is now on flower

This coral pink rose was also in the garden so seems to be well established and not feeling too stressed by the heat

This climber - Claire Austin - was a bare rooted rose that went in in the spring, it's getting watered as often as we can, finally in flower but was slow to get going

Earlier in the week we visited Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk, they had some amazing flowers in their perennial walk.  This is the look I'd like to achieve on a smaller scale in my garden.  Once the weather cools down and we get some rain, it's been over 12 weeks since we saw any, then I will purchase some more plants and get them in for this autumn and next summer

Time for another cool drink me thinks, just checked the temperature, its 7:30pm and 29C, good luck with sleeping tonight

Derbyshire recap

A few weeks back Peter and I took a trip to Derbyshire.  We stayed in a really cute cottage called Allsopp's, in Wirksworth, so comfortable just perfect for 4 - our friends Judy and Steve joined us for a few days which was fun.

The weather was very kind, dry, a mix of sunshine and cloud, perfect walking weather - we did a few walks - Carsington Water, Black Rocks, Middleton Top - circular walks from Wirksworth .  We took in Chatsworth House, Bolsover Castle and Hardwick Hall whilst up that way too. It was a busy week and the exercise was perfect for working off the cakes/beer we consumed over the week.

Here are a few photos - when have I ever just shared a few photos!?

From Middleton Top Walk - 7.5 miles

Chatsworth House - so many photos to choose from

Silly hat gallery - there are some beauts but Peter would kill me!

Coffee break

Road on which Allsopp's resides, its a long long hill

Black Rocks Walks - 6.5 miles

See the size of this trowel!

Carsington Water and the Knockerdown Inn

Bolsover Castle - so many photos to choose from again

Hardwick Hall - old and new

So that's just a flavour of our week, I could bore you for ages with all my photos but that wouldn't be fair.  Derbyshire is so close to home (couple of hours drive) I can't believe we'd not been before.  We will be back