STRAWBERRIES AND OTHER THINGS...

Strawberries in tubs and pockets of them throughout the garden. These produce an ongoing supply for weeks on end; so much for the birds eyeing them from above. With Kit prowling around the place, they know to keep their distance. When he is not tearing up and down trees, he gets in first whenever leftovers appear on the lawn.

Hopefully, the seedlings popping up all over the place are from these Zinnias; so bright and cheerful. They last well in the vase and serve as a good groundcover. Apart from that, plants like the company and thrive in their joint surroundings.

Dublin Bay continues to flower, and like other climbers, heads off up at the speed of knots. Towering above the Zinnias, these deep red blooms enhance the various pinks of the ones below.  The rose is a welcome sight from the kitchen window.

Well, I had a weak moment and lashed out on some more Lilium bulbs. Ordered online and arriving beautifully packaged, a further ten in a variety of colours arrived yesterday together with five pink Tiger lilies. I can't wait to see them all in flower.

Here's Kit strolling towards us as we arrive home after a quick visit to Mitre 10.  We needed another sprayer and ended up with two, being on special:  Another three refill cans of fly spray ... should be enough. After a couple of warm days, the flies soon appear.

This pear is soaring to great heights. Well covered in blossom, we will need to get up the ladder this year to pick them.

Ballarat cooking apple is a great asset in the kitchen. Having plenty of pulped fruit in the freezer is handy for Apple Shortcake for one thing. So easy to make and just 30 minutes in the oven.

I love these little daisies popping up here and there. Bees love them and it's great to watch them going from flower to flower.

I think we will regret the heavy pruning of the grapevines last year. It's too easy to make those drastic cuts in haste. Well, if this is the case, next harvest will be even better probably. However, time will tell.

Such a joy to see this flowering prunus visiting from next door. On a sunny warm day, it brings a small breeze over and some shelter for other plants. It also buzzes with the activity of many bees. 

A few Cinerarias still appearing. Their self-seeding habit works out well... and of course, many winged and other insects forage in and around the wayward plants. This year has certainly been the year for Grey Warblers. They do not stay in one place for long, but their trilling is delightful. How can such a tiny wee bird have such a loud trill? I was looking for them on the internet recently and came across a video of one feeding a Cuckoo. Back and forth it went, like a little Mother hen. How do I ever get anything done I wonder? Well, I am very lucky. Craig does all the vacuum cleaning, endless cups of tea and coffee and all the grocery shopping. I am so spoilt! I am also very thankful.

'Now.............. just let me decide on my next move! Watch this! It's about to happen!'

'Now that I've got your attention.... watch this! I know - you missed the bit where I tore up the tree, but my next move is coming up.'

'Could age be catching up with me? It's a lot slower coming down and a few aching joints don't help.'

'Yep! A good stretch works out well!'

Bin day today.... but where are the trucks? This was quite funny; neighbours, including us, waltzed the bins back and forth daily for about a week or so, and still no sign of them. I know petrol prices have gone up, but that wouldn't be the case: Anyway, I think they use diesel. That won't be it either. It remains a mystery, but the good news is that they were collected this time. Oh, blow it! I must have better things to do than traipse around looking for rubbish trucks.

Craig shares his kiwifruit and avocados with the Blackbirds each day. This one appears to be loading up his beak to take back to the nest. What a good Dad.

Michelia Yulania nestles happily in a couple of tubs. The flowers are dainty and grow to about 70cm.
Certainly, a better decision than the Magnolia Grandiflora I planted several years ago:  It galloped like a mad thing, sky high with a spread that took over the place. Finally, chopped out and kept us in firewood for quite some time. Didn't that work out well! Being environmentally conscious, I imagine, we must be doing our bit in this area. Hopefully so.

Our new passionfruit seems to have taken off pretty well. This is about its second year I think. So useful to have and great in fruit salads, baking or just enjoyed straight from the vine.

Blackbird singing his last song for the day with the Sparrow joining in.

Well, it's bedtime for these little birds. The sky is looking a bit ominous and we are expecting thunder and more rain. I hope they will find a warm snug place.