Morning Glory

In the soft early morning light the flowers of Ipomoea purpurea 'Grandpa Ott' appear luminously exotic. I sowed the seeds back in early March, and they struggled a bit during the cold spring, but now they have come into their own, rampaging up the fence behind our new seat and revelling in the summer heat.

Another scorcher of a day in eastern England. Alex and I surveyed a nearby quarry this morning - fortunately it was small and flat, and we'd more or less finished by 11am when the temperature was already 27C. Bright orange nylon safety wear really isn't appropriate in such conditions! 

I had a much more restful afternoon, dealing with some admin, and sneaking a bit of time just sitting in the shade in the garden, amazed by the sheer number of baby birds around - goldfinches, greenfinches, chaffinches, great tits, blue tits, blackbirds - some still being fed by their parents.