A Problem with Sunlight?

Photo Copyright: Maggie May

This is the time of year when my Campanulas are in full bloom, cascading down the wall between our garden and the one next door.

When I first put in two tiny cuttings years and years ago, I was told that they wouldn't stand a chance of surviving that dry wall and now look at them. They have merged in as one and have spread between paving slabs and invaded borders and I have to pull them up when they get too prolific. However, because they are so lovely and bloom for a long time, I do let most of them alone.

Although today is cooler and I detected a drizzly feel earlier on when I went to the bin, we have had a couple of weeks of very hot weather and it has given me a new lease of life in the garden and cleaning up in the home, especially sorting out muddles. There doesn't really seem to be much to show for it, but I have cleaned out hidden rubbish and pulled out heavier furniture to the best of my ability.

I have taken armfuls of unwanted items to the Charity shops.

My paper shredder is nearly worn out from dealing with documents that  are well out of date.

I have a long way to go, so I hope that this mood will stay.

One thing that seems to have happened to me as I've got older, is that I seem to have developed a bad reaction to sunlight. I come out in an itchy red rash on my arms lower legs and neck. I have to keep well covered. Whether it is the result of chemo or some of the drugs that I have had to take, I do not know. 

It seems ironical that I spend most of the winter months longing for the sun and then find that I can't sit out in it.

Does anyone else have a problem with sunlight?

The May Garden

Photos copyright: Maggie May

When I introduced this Campanula from a tiny cutting that I placed into my stone dividing wall, many years ago, I can remember my father saying that I was mad because it would never take. I had taken the cutting from his garden and I don't think he ever lived long enough to see the result. It spread widely all around the patio and it does look striking at this time of the year.

White Aquilegia is another flower that spreads but I do like it.

This Foxglove sprang up unexpectedly as Foxgloves tend to do.

The Poppies are in bud and the Allium are pretty. Strange to think they are related to the onion family. Chives have pretty pink flowers too. I have a pot on my patio.

This is my favourite corner for sitting and watching the garden.

My birdbath developed a crack in it due to the frost last winter, so I have had to put a small container into it..... until I can think of some way of mending the hole (or buy a new bird bath.)

I love the colour of my Clematis.

This is the view from the window..... near to my favourite chair in the house.

Outside, there is a tub containing water Iris that has done very well.