Back home!

I was so excited when I awoke this morning to see how the garden looked,  after being away for 2 1/2 weeks. Goodness, how everything has grown in the hot weather!
(Weeds, too, of course!)
I was delighted to see that, for the first time,this Saxifraga callosa "Superba" has produced a magnificent spike of flowers. 
Meanwhile,Field Marshal Stormin Norman ( the tortoise) was waiting impatiently for his breakfast.  Our kind neighbours have been looking after him. I do hope he hasn't bitten the fingers of any small boys. I had to look out for my digits being nibbled as I held out the dandelion leaves for him. 
Then I was so pleased to hear the insistent calls of baby great tits coming from the birdbox at the end of the garden. They weren't there a couple of weeks ago.

Late morning, with some trepidation, Martin and I went to visit my Mother.  My sister had reported her being very restless when she visited her last week, but today she was calmer. She's weaker than when I last saw her but we had a few brief conversations although sadly her speech is less intelligible. However,  I am still reassured by how well she is being cared for.

Then we had to go food shopping and do some laundry. Later, I had a long phone chat with my sister C.
I'm feeling quite tired from all the activities of the past few weeks, so I'm a bit behind with blip!