Flamin' June!

The longest day has been and gone.  Like the last one, it was so dull and overcast that it went dark early.  Not very memorable, no Midsummer magic, no fairies dancing in the ferns, not the faintest hint of anything other-worldly or ethereal.

I like to light fires out in the garden on summer nights and stay out for as long as I can - tealights in the rowan tree, lanterns lighting the plants, candles in bottles.  Watching  the fire burn down then going to bed with a warmed face and hair smelling of wood smoke.
But this isn't summer, instead we are stuck inside a non-month that doesn't feel like anything.

There were no bees in the foxgloves today.  One got blown into the shed this morning, all dazed and damp.  Thankfully it was able to get itself together and fly off.
Rain has pelted the garden all day.  In the afternoon the strong winds trashed the mini greenhouse, plants and all.  There's compost and pots all over the place, some tomato casualties, a wooden chair was tossed aside and the Acer (a decent size)took a tumble.  I had to rescue the Gertrude Jekyll rose and put her in the kitchen sink, all other plant refugees are now in the safety of the shed.

It's raining still.  Sounds like buckets of nails are being thrown at the windows.  If it doesn't stop soon I'm tempted to build a boat, not necessarily with two of everything just plenty of plants.  A cosy bunk, tea & coffee making facilities, a telescope and a radio for the Shipping Forecast.

Hope the weather is kinder where you are.  May your brolly never blow inside-out.

Midsummer Fairies by Arthur Rackham

my dream boat :)