Harvesting is starting despite the rain.

He's back.

The kingfisher returned today which is good news for us but not so good for the young goldfish. Still there are lots of them and only one of him (or her).
 

More tree clearing.

Wood clearing.

Too damp to paint so clearing the felled trees is the next job.





The new float swing is in place - found on a Scottish beach. Through the trees you can see my audience - but don't worry Abbi, they didn't bite me.

The sun is shining at last

so out with the paintbrush.

Wagtail in the woodpile.

I was clearing the area by the woodsheds when I realised a pied wagtail was hanging about getting very distressed. I withdrew and watched it sneak into the middle of the kindling store ( not to be confused with the Kindle Store). There is a nest there with five hungry mouths in it.

Life's a ditch....

Keeping the waterways clear.

A helping hand.

Roger helping out on the strawberry bed.

Enjoying Father's Day.

Wonderful surprise visit from Abbi and Stephanie and a Skype call to Bella. And lots of cards too.

Red Kite at the table.

All this sitting around talking to the visitors (Roger and Judith) means that I get to take photos of the local wildlife.

 

More wildlife...

This guy has started to feed under the bird table......

A day off to entertain the visitors.

Not that the rain would have allowed much working. But all the sitting around and watching the birds meant that we saw a juvenile redstart near the feeder and watched a grey squirrel picking up the dropped seeds too.

Weeding ....

What a thankless task. Serves me right for going away for so long.





And the first tomato....

Protecting our fruit.

Today I have been putting the netting on the fruit cage and over the strawberry beds - we are determined to eat more than the birds this year.

Another flowerbed.

The new bed by the small terrace has been planted up - thank you Peter and Nia and the charity shop in Llany.

Front border.

The border at the front of the cottage has had a make-over. New soil, new plants and weed membrane. All we need now is cockle-shells.

A walk at Dinas.

Pied flycatchers, redstarts and wood warblers all around. The river is very high but you can see that it was two feet higher a few days ago. Very noisy!

My poor lupins.

The wind decimated the lovely lupins. A lot of pruning has had to happen but they make nice cut flowers for the house.





What you can't see from this photo but I can see with my eyes is lots of baby goldfish. Let's hope they tempt the kingfisher back.
The weather has been good enough to let me cut the grass - it all looks much better when it is cut.

Gardening in the rain.

Weeding is never fun and even less in the rain. But it has to be done. Also sowing seeds that should have gone in a month ago. And so many garden plants waiting to go into the flower beds too.....

The rain continues.....

So more fun with go-carts.



Jack has been the brave soul who road tested the cart.







He has also bravely tested various crash helmets.

Rain stops work....

So playtime begins. Making a go-cart with Jack.

Jubilee fun!!

No work at all. But fun and games at a neighbours when about fifty locals and their families got together to eat and drink and generally chat. And also play rounders badly. We lost.

Paddling in the pond.

Apart from strimming the long grass I have been in the pond - the pondweed seems to have died ( hooray ) but left a nasty scum on the pond so I have been in there dragging it out with a rake.