Sultry

The weekend was overcast and sultry. The air heavy and treacle thick whilst we worked in the garden. Unusually we had no commitments, no plans - nothing scheduled, just us, the cat and the garden.

Quietly over the years, the garden has strived for 'world domination' - especially the rambler and climbing roses, so this year they have been served antisocial behaviour notices and benefited from a slash and burn style cut back. One - a Madam Alfred Carriere climbing rose - which according to the blub is 'exceptionally tall' had certainly lived up to the hype. She is(was) a big lass. 

Our garden is heavily shaded out by the neighbouring trees as well as a couple of our own which will be taken down a peg or two sometime during the winter months. This has meant my preferred style of planting - my own take on a prairie mix - fails to thrive beneath the treed canopy. 

I've doggedly struggled, in vain, to have my dream planting hence me falling out of love of my garden. Recently Himself and I returned from an all too brief break in Dumfries and Galloway where we lingered in the garden of Broughton House, Kirkcudbright. My ears were opened to the most sublime ( shady - very shady) and beautiful garden.

I am invigorated!

post script - why does, on one of the warmest, most humid of days in this topsy turvy summer/autumn we are living in - why does the cat choose to nap in a metal wheelbarrow, in the glasshouse...?