A rose for Ann

This chocolatey red rose is a favourite of mine and is just coming into flower again after I trimmed it down quite a bit.  It was bought for Ann by her village reading group when she was undergoing treatment for cancer.  It’s one of the few flowering plants that are left after our very dry spring and summer.  It’s growing in a raised bed so I think I should water it this morning.  I’ve been watering the pots but not the beds.  I live in what must be one of the wetter parts of the country but the reservoirs are empty and it’s looking like the hose-pipe ban will stay for a long time.  I’ve just discovered that my water butts are full, so maybe I could run them into the pond, which is looking very depleted at the moment.

My car went for its very expensive service and MoT test yesterday and only required a new rear wind screen wiper.  How much would it have cost me if it needed a new part fitting like it did last year?  I guess at the moment I’m really happy to feel that they will have done a thorough job and I can feel confident that all will be well when I’m driving.