I'm really chuffed. Lady from the council came round this morning and said I've got a lovely garden.

At last I have managed to get my arch for the clematis back up. It's not the job I intended to do, if I'm honest it's a bit of a botched job but at least it's giving the clematis some support and the garden is beginning to feel like my garden again. 

It was very quiet and peaceful out there yesterday afternoon.

The bluebells are giving a good show now and the aquilega won't be far behind. 

The clematis is a massive bundle of buds. It's a shame I had to disturb it to do the archway. 

The yellow deadnettle gets every where but here under the Rosa rugosa it can't do much damage.

Here is my garden of remembrance. My first dog, Bobby is buried here with Tara the cat across the path. There is a layer of shale about a foot down and it took me and my neighbour ages to dig a hole deep enough. One of us had a shovel and the other an iron bar to break the rock.

Tara's resting place has tulips in flower now.

A little primula hiding amongst taller foliage.

Here's a close up of the clematis buds.

A visitor enjoying the sunshine. Come back little blue butterfly and bring your friends you are very welcome. 

I was weeding in the front garden yesterday evening and the scent of my Daphne outside the front door was delicious intermingled with the wormwood. I think I should always weed in the evening. I opened the front door for Finn this morning and it was raining and the perfume floated in filling the hall.

Last year I went to an open garden day at Dyffryn fernant gardens in Pembrokeshire and was inspired by tubs of pink and black tulips. I bought what was supposed to be pink tulips and black tulips at Pembroke county show at Haverfordwest. Look how they came up. I also bought cream crocus with a hint of pink. They came up pure yellow. Don't think I'll get any more bulbs there again. 

 The daffodils are nearly finished now. These are the latest ones to flower.

 I'm not sure who this beauty is,I think she's a Daphne but could be wrong. Anyway she has the most gorgeous perfume just outside my front door. I'm going to have to move her while the workmen are here.

I found this lone fritillary growing in the woodpile while cutting wood yesterday, then managed to break it!It's in a vase indoors now. Will be getting more for next year. I think they're beautiful. 

After the rain

After the rain this morning the sun broke through the clouds and this afternoon was inviting me out into the garden. 

I love the way the rain drops stay on the leaves of the ice plants and this tulip leaf.

 The yellow flag iris has come adrift and needs replanting and weighing down again,  but the rain drops look really beautiful on the leaves floating in the water.

Smudge is enjoying the sun on my chair by Ferrero and Roche's water butt. Ferrero and Roche are happier when the sun is shining and has warmed the water and they are much more active than when the sky is cloudy. 

 Finn tries to get me to throw his squeaky toy but I am busy enjoying doing my cross stitch in the sunshine. The stump of the willow tree may look ugly and scarred but now it's cut down the sun can get to this end of the garden all afternoon.

 A multitude of lady birds were enjoying the sun, here are just two of them basking on the giant leaves of the bears britches.

The frog spawn has hatched and lots of tiny tadpoles are enjoying the sunshine as well.

Looking across my back garden at the sunset last night. We get some truly stunning sunsets here and this one heralded a beautiful day today. 

Ferrero and Roche the gold fish have come through the winter well. When the weather was cold and grey they were slow and torpid and didn't eat a lot but when the sun is shining and the weather is warmer they swim around more and come to the surface for food. They seem to prefer the floating plants to the fish food they were fed in the shop. I think that they have doubled in size since I bought them and they are a good deep golden colour. Ferrero has a little black developing on him and Roche has white on his tail. 

Someone else who was enjoying the sun today. 

And a Peacock butterfly was flitting around while I was having my lunch but wouldn't stop for a photo shoot!