Trinitarian rose

We had the last of our PreachMeets with our about-to-become-a-bishop rector today, my pal and I - these wonderful get-togethers over coffee when one of us lay people has a sermon to write and ideas to mull over. Just before it began, I nipped out and took a photo of this rose, Josephine Bruce, with the wonderful scent, which has grown much taller than usual this year. This increased height also increased its vulnerability, and it was damaged by the window cleaner a couple of weeks ago. The almost-broken stem, topped with one perfect bud, drooped almost to ground level - but the bud opened, and out of sight below this trio there is a single, beautiful bloom, about six inches above the ground.

I couldn't resist it, in the circumstances - not only does the main stem bear a perfect trinity of roses, but the broken one can represent a fallen angel - for even Satan was beautiful before he chose evil and fell from grace...

My extra photo is also of flowers - a vivid contrast of colours seen in what remains of the former formal garden in Benmore Gardens.