Summer days

We are enjoying endless warm, dry summer days here in the west country. In the early evenings hot air balloons drift out from the city. The often take a dip over the nearby woodland and first come to my attention when I hear the sound of the gas burners putting more air into the balloons to make them gain height. If they fail to do so they then they occasionally land in the fields, but more usually they rise gently and drift off towards the south of the village.
Here come three of the five balloons that floated our way the other night.

This is the second summer in a row that we have enjoyed hot, dry weather and it has made me review the water storage needs for the garden. Four full butts and six half butts collect water from the garage and outbuilding roofs, but foolishly, the whole while we have lived here, water from the house roof has gone straight down the fall pipes and away. What a waste! This week we've positioned three very large butts around the house, giving an additional capacity of 1,050 litres. There is a lot of roof, let's see how quickly they will fill once we get some rain.

I'll  let the creepers grow over for a bit of disguise.

I ordered the butts but Himself did the necessary fitting!

The garden is looking rather messy now, a good rainfall would perk it up a bit. The glorious burst of June and July colour is over and the late summer flowers are opening up. I've sown the fresh seeds of my lupins and delphiniums and have got good germination. I'll add to the cutting bed as I trim the lavender and rosemary bushes.

It's a time of plenty in the veg garden - we are eating well! And there's just enough space to cram in amongst the plants in the greenhouse when we drink our coffee.

I'm savouring these days. Our winters are long!