May 19th 2016 The Slope on Thursday

For a couple of years I posted about the slope every Thursday enjoying seeing the changes week by week, month by month; for this Thursday 19 th May I thought it might be good to look at it again.

The slope on Thursday A different perspective

It is a while since I’ve posted about the slope.  I did take some photographs last week but then my laptop decided that it needed a rest and wouldn’t work; I am backing up almost every time I use it as I am sure it is going to break down very soon – I’m nursing it along as I really don’t want to buy a new one at this moment (apart from not knowing whether to change to Apple or continue with Microsoft – any thoughts on this would be gratefully accepted!)

Did I mention how hot it has been since we returned from the US?  The slope is perfect for showing you what high temperatures, free draining soil and no rain since the beginning of June can do.

The Slope on Thursday, a bit late!

The weather has been more spring-like in the last week than earlier in the month when it was much more like summer.  The hot weather means that many of the roses have already bloomed and finished!  During this week the temperatures have been pleasant with rain on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,  which the garden and I were very pleased to see.

The Slope on Thursday, it just gets better and better!

The past week has had mixed weather; hot and sunny but cold, overcast and windy at the weekend, then hot again on Monday and Tuesday, overcast again on Wednesday and rain is forecast for today but as yet it’s sunny.

The Slope on Thursday and summer has arrived!

Spring never really warmed up in the way it has done in other years.  The evenings remained cool and mornings fresh.  This week has been the first time when I have gone out into the garden in the morning with just a T-shirt rather than a fleece, and a long sleeved-fleece at that!

The slope on Thursday – think orange!

The sun is shining after a couple of days of rain and the slope is glowing with the bright, happy flowers of Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy).

The Slope on Thursday – Blue and Orange again but different

At last it really does feel like spring weather has arrived.  For the first time this year I have actively sought out a shady spot when I’ve been in the garden because the sun is so hot.  The images for this post were taken on Wednesday late afternoon, at about 5.45 and just look how bright it is!

The Slope on Thursday on a bright sunny day

The wind dropped today and instead of an icy wind this afternoon was positively hot, I may even have sunburn!  This afternoon I planted the Dahlias in between the rows of Narcissi; I watered them well and will now avidly await their shoots showing above ground.

The bright light has bleached the colours in the images which were taken at about 5pm this afternoon.

The usual view

The thyme growing next to the prostrate rosemary is beginning to flower

At the top of the slope Teucrium is still flowering

More Eschscholzia are brightening the scene too, they love the bright sun

The wild Irises are in bud, I’m sure by next week they will flower adding their strong vertical lines to the form of the slope

The Photinia hedge is now bright red with its new foliage

By the gate Euphorbia myrsinites is bright with yellow flowers which contrast with the still blue rosemary

What time do you usually photograph your garden?  Early morning and very late afternoon are considered the best times but maybe you want the bright light of the middle of the day.  Do you consciously try to capture different lights?

The Slope on Thursday and a bit of catching up

Before I begin I would like to apologise for not leaving comments on your posts for the last few days.  My husband has just celebrated an important birthday and we have has house guests for a few days to help him celebrate.  This meant lots of tidying-up and cooking.  I tried to read some, and left ‘likes’ where I could for the rest I hope to have some time to read them soon but with Easter coming and more entertaining I can’t promise to comment.

Moving on to the weather!  Last Wednesday was horrendous – torrential rain and very strong winds enough to topple another of the Rosa mutabilis.  The weather then improved a little but Saturday was again gale force winds that cut through you like a knife, the sun shone but the air was very cold.  Sunday was better and Sunday better still although with some clouds during the day, of course, when everybody left on Tuesday morning it suddenly became spring!  The sun shone, there was no wind and I took my fleece off while working in the garden which I haven’t done for quite a while now.

The Slope on Thursday – Blue on blue on blue

The week began with a forecast of rain all week.  I know not to believe it when the same forecast is given for a couple of weeks; what it means is that don’t know when the wind will change direction and the temperatures will change.  Monday was wet all day and Tuesday was grey with a couple of showers but Wednesday and today (Thursday) have been very warm.  Blue skies with just a few very high white fluffy clouds and no wind.  The temperature in the greenhouse is 34°C outside somewhere in the mid-twenties.