‘Little Red Robin’

I helped to set up for communion this morning, and happily nothing was forgotten this time. It was a family service, which is more informal and a bit shorter.

I’ve been trying to sort out my painful back, which hurts badly regardless of whether I rest it or move about. It had improved recently, but has got worse again from moving heavy furniture and boxes around during the week and then scrubbing behind where the two old wardrobes had been standing for the past 15 years or so. I would have liked to clear up a bit in the garden, but I don’t think weeding, sweeping or wielding the shears is a good idea at the moment. The front garden is utterly shameful!

My friend Alison and I have decided to try and watch the VE Day 80 Flypast going over towards London tomorrow lunchtime. I’ve studied the route across Essex on the official NOTAM (Notice To Airmen), and have hopefully chosen a fairly obscure vantage point in the middle of nowhere so that we can park up without being in competition with too many other people. I doubt I’ll be able to get a decent photo, as I don’t have the right lens for the job, but it will be an experience at any rate.

The rest of today has been spent catching up on laundering towels and bedding, so not a total waste of time. I got my blip on the walk home this morning. This shrub is Photinia ‘Little Red Robin’, and I love the way the tiny white blossom contrasts with its new red leaves. It’s a tough shrub, and needs some cutting back from time to time to stop it going mad. After the blossom has finished, it grows little red/black berries which blackbirds, thrushes and some other birds will eat. It also provides good shelter and cover for them.