136/365 Orchid

I was given this beautiful orchid plant at around 1.30am this morning as I came away from last night's adventure. It was a thank you gift for agreeing to photograph the May Ball held to raise funds for Curzon School in Quarndon, and also to mark the 150th anniversary of it's founding. Although my kids don't go there, I know several parents whose kids do, and they know I'm game to photograph anything, so they asked me would I? Luckily, I had a cunning plan. Well, actually that's not strictly true, I had a plan which was bettered by Paul, an event photographer who was willing to help me, so we did it together, although almost all the shots taken were taken by me, and almost all the shots purchased were taken by me. It was great fun, but exhausting! You can see some of the photos here; the few with a plain backdrop are Paul's. Thanks Paul :0)

135/365 Dripping wet

We have had steady rain overnight and most of the day, everything in the garden is dripping wet. There's no breeze at all, so everything is also very still, with intermittant dripping sounds all around the garden.

134/365 Sweetie dreams

Doesn't Sweetie look comfy curled up on the spare bed? Notice its the cat, the whole cat and nothing but the cat? Well, was running out of body parts... ;0)

133/365 Tamarisk (Tamarix pentandra)

Our tamarisk tree is covered in a deep pink haze of tiny tight buds. This is Mark's favourite tree in the garden and its usually at its best late May/early June. When the buds open out the tree looks fluffy. I'll post another when its in full bloom.

132/365 Oliver's birthday

Oliver turned 11 years old today and we surprised him with his very own deactivated bolt action Mosin Nagant 1938 carbine. Its the genuine article, the real deal, from Russia, via The Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House (where it was deactivated) and the arms dealer we bought it from. He was thrilled! So he's got all kitted out for his re-enactment hobby rather swiftly (see 108/365) with help from MC & co from The Russians who have been brilliant. The next event is on the 24th May at Whittington, near Lichfield and Oliver can't wait. С Днем Рождения (Happy Birthday)

131/365 How does my Garden grow?

The garden fork stands in the border, the sprinkler gracefully sprinkles, the wind whips at the leaves on the shrub, the sun shines making the water sparkle, and I'm doing what I enjoy most - capturing it all in pixels. :0) I had something of a field day with camera, tripod and the sprinkler this afternoon, right after getting everything on the To Do list done for today.

"If you water it and it dies, it's a plant. If you pull it out and it grows back, it's a weed." Gallagher.

130/365 Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)

I got up close and personal with a conker tree this afternoon. I pass some on the way to town (near the Toll House) and have been meaning to pull over and take some pictures while the blossom is out. I have never looked closely at the flowers before so was interested to see pink and yellow centres together like this. Luckily a lot of the branches were almost to the ground. In autumn we'll be looking for conkers.

129/365 A daisy for Andy

I attended a Celebration of Andy's life today. Andy died from cancer a couple of weeks ago and was buried at Olney Green Burial Ground in Buckinghamshire this afternoon with his widow Jeni, whom I went to art collage with, their families and friends, swimming team members and colleagues present. It was pretty windy but stayed dry, and the sun had a go at shining. Jeni was in good spirits and did brilliantly, there was laughter as well as tears, Andy was well-loved and will be very much missed. I took several pictures of the committal from a distance, having arranged with Jeni beforehand. Trees are planted and the grass paths inbetween mown, and as time goes on this will become a wood. Daisies, buttercups and other wildflowers abound. So, a daisy for Andy.