Warm evening sun in the garden

There are few occasions that I can recall the scent of wisteria and summer blossom being so overpoweringly irresistible; a true force of nature.  Today in the 25 degree warmth of a truly perfect day, we were enveloped by floral scents wafting right through the house, into the tearoom, throughout the garden and valley.

Half an hour ago, to take advantage of such a rare evening, I went out to hear the evening concert from the songbirds and to take some photographs to share with the world (some a bit 'contrasty', I'm afraid - haven't much time to sort that out today).  I hope you had a lovely day wherever you are, and if you didn't perhaps you can borrow a piece of our lovely day.

The joys of sunlight

The light was playing games last night.  So I set out to catch it red-handed:

Above: Wild garlic in the mill leet; below: the lantern in the oriental garden

 Above: the lily pond lawn, back-lit

 Below: a South-Devon from the Iford Valley herd moseys past.

Late summer and mellow fruitfulness

A warm balmy afternoon greeted those that ventured out today to visit us after a week of solid rain.  Pity the farmers trying to get their crops in (fortunately our barley was taken off before the rains came), nevertheless gardeners and their gardens will be breathing a sigh of relief at the return of decent levels of ground water.  Everything has greened up for a final late summer flourish.

I love this time of year as the literal fruits of one's labour are available straight from the tree or vine.  Tonight we were excited to discover a heavy crop of ripe figs in the kitchen garden.  It's an old tree, which may even pre-date Harold Peto's arrival in Iford (i.e. pre-1899), yet every year it produces a prolific crop of brown turkey figs, although rarely do we have enough sun to ripen so many of them.  This evening, I roasted them with balsamic vinegar and honey, and a pinch of ginger & cinnamon.  Satisfyingly fresh, simple food.

And so here are some photographs to delight and entice, taken this very evening around 7.15pm.