2/3 May: Although the weather has been mixed during this week it’s another lovely sunny weekend. As I sit on the deck writing I’m covered in a “snow” shower of copper husks mixed with a few white cherry petals. Most of the trees around me are now sporting a full set of new green leaves and the husks that protected the leaves are being brushed off in the breeze.
It’s a bank holiday weekend and I’m wondering if everything has gone on holiday. The usual bird acrobatics and daytime chorus are no-where to be seen. A lone cheeky thrush bounced around the garden rustling through leaves and lawn 
while a heron sits on a high branch on the bank watching carefully before taking off with a series of loud squwaks. 
A few pink breasted wood pigeons fly past before settling in the trees. In the distance I can hear the odd crow and pheasant calling. But that’s about it.
I did spot one welcome newcomer during the week, a fork tailed swallow. The messenger for summer quickly flitted around above the house and then was off again. I’m sure I’ll see more of them soon. Another fast flitting flyer was out in the evenings this week - the tiny bats that live here could be seen ducking and diving round each other at high speed. It’s amazing to watch.
while a heron sits on a high branch on the bank watching carefully before taking off with a series of loud squwaks. A few pink breasted wood pigeons fly past before settling in the trees. In the distance I can hear the odd crow and pheasant calling. But that’s about it.I did spot one welcome newcomer during the week, a fork tailed swallow. The messenger for summer quickly flitted around above the house and then was off again. I’m sure I’ll see more of them soon. Another fast flitting flyer was out in the evenings this week - the tiny bats that live here could be seen ducking and diving round each other at high speed. It’s amazing to watch.
Flowering just now
Around the garden, the flurry of spring activity has slowed down too as the plants get ready for the next big burst.
The pasque flowers have faded and left some fantastic teasles. The lily flowering tulips still look stunning but some of the earlier virdiflora are starting to fade. 
The second cherry, a thin upright armagowa, now drips with lush light pink blossom. It’s a great shape, like a exclamation mark in the bend in the path.
Around the garden, the flurry of spring activity has slowed down too as the plants get ready for the next big burst.
The pasque flowers have faded and left some fantastic teasles. The lily flowering tulips still look stunning but some of the earlier virdiflora are starting to fade. 
The second cherry, a thin upright armagowa, now drips with lush light pink blossom. It’s a great shape, like a exclamation mark in the bend in the path.
The early clematis have also started to bloom – beatutiful white luxurious flowers on the evergreen clematis cling to the shed while the pinkish Montana runs along the fence.
I’ve been to the garden centre today to get some more potting compost. As the usually do, a few plants happened to jump into the trolley while I was there. I’ve now planted up a selection of summer pots. Two big blue pots on the deck now have orange geum and blue lupins in and three octagonal pots by the door have lovely lilac and white brachycome and silver cineraria in. I love the delicate daisy shapes of the brachycome and it’s one of the few annuals I always plant.
Coming soon: The big buds
Under the lime popular the peonies are sporting loads of large tight balls edged with a deep red next to the large hairy poppy heads.
Clusters of tiny, tight new buds are sprouting on the lilac bush and dark pink horns are standing proud on the magnolia tree. I can't wait! 
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