Goodbye Summer?

What has happened to the Summer? Obviously we had a wonderful early run of sunshine ... but does that really mean an early finish too? The glorious white roses on our balcony are fading, the lavender heads are drying out, and the leaves on the trees are starting to change colour ...

The good news is that we've had lots of big old bumble bees pottering around the lavender this Summer. It's been a joy to watch them go about their business ... bumbling here and there, pollinating and doing what nature does best.










One of our olive trees has some amazing olives (suggesting a warmer than ususal season), and is looking very healthy and wonderfully Mediterranean. My vintage French table & chairs are picture perfect against the backdrop of weathered wicker baskets containing roses, lavender and olive trees. The rusty old carriage lamps, bird table and obelisks add interest and help create a 'Balcon Français' parfait.












There is nothing more wonderful than throwing the French doors open in the morning as the sun streams in; watching the bees at work on the heady lavender. The roses swaying gently in the breeze, and tiny birds hopping on and off the table looking for left over crusts from the night before (which was a dreamy evening, sipping red wine, breaking open baguettes and loading them with French cheese and grapes, watching the sunset, a blanket of red and purple mirrored in the lake.) I love it here!











Anyhow, despite the possibility of an early finish to Summer, I cannot say just how much I love the next seasons of Autumn & Winter. As a florist, there are so many wonderful new elements that come into play. Firey & vibrant colours, sweet smelling pine (oh, now I'm really ahead of myself!), lots of ideas to keep those creative juices flowing. I am however, secretly hoping for an Indian Summer. Here's to many more early mornings that feel like you're on permanent holiday - cool and fresh, firing up to warm and sunny. To many more deliciously warm snoozy afternoons, where Pimms o' clock is welcomed with thirst and thanks. To warm lazy evenings watching the sun go down over the meadow and lake ... leaving the doors open in the balmy heat, listening to the ducks, coots and signets as they potter about during the night.

Enjoy whilst it lasts!