Birthday excursion

It was S's 60th birthday today and he chose to go over to the Yorkshire Dales. First a wander through the shady landscape of Hackfall where bluebells were still blooming. The river was sparkling in the sun and, with the tree covered slopes on either side, it was almost like a tropical rainforest without the dampness. Then we went on to the nearby Himalayan Gardens where rhododendrons of many colours were flowering all over the place. However I loved the blue poppies, in all shades of blue, almost the only colour that was not featured in the rhododendrons. Back home now, gin and tonic in hand, so better stop now.