A perfect weekend.

The sun shone, it did not rain, and it is open season for the National Gardens Scheme, when people open their private gardens in aid of charity. I've made a note in the booklet of the places that I want to visit. First stop was in nearby Forest Road where I hoped to get advice and inspiration about planting in deep shade.

I had forgotten that one of the most pleasurable things about these visits is in meeting the owners and creators of the gardens. It was certainly the case at Forest Road, where we were the first to arrive and received such a warm welcome and enthusiastic information about the planting. The careful labelling was much appreciated as well!

This was the plant that I wanted to buy. Although there were plenty of healthy little plants that had been propagated to sell unfortunately this wasn't one of them.

In the afternoon we went for a barbeque at our daughter's house. In between playing croquet, shuttlecock and flying cardboard aeroplanes we sat in the sunshine and watched the tits flying in and out of the bird boxes. Nest building completed I think they must now be feeding their young.

The Boy was full of energy and eager to be toasting marshmallows once a few pieces of wood were lit in the fire pit. He introduced me to the delights of melted marshmallow squashed between two milk chocolate digestives.

The Boy was right, they do taste good!