Sunshine and rain

There’s been a fair bit of both recently here. Yesterday, full on rain. Today, full on sunshine. We had a day off today and so we made use of the sun beds, which when it was 35 degrees last week we didn’t get a chance to use, well there were plenty of chances, but we both would have melted.

The weather the past few days reminded me of our visit to Hyde Hall back in June (though I’m not sure how it was so far away as June!). That day we had all the weather the same day. I drove through, and as it turned out, ahead of torrential rain, experienced it when it caught us up followed by the most glorious sunshine.

But that also brought the opportunity for some raindrop pictures, and while the weather is forecast for extreme wind tomorrow (thanks Ellen), let’s first enjoy the raindrops on petals.

They’re exquisite. Nature is exquisite. I’m just glad that my iPhone was ready and able to capture them

The Rose Walk at RHS Hyde Hall

it was only last month that we went over to Hyde Hall over in Essex. At the time it felt very adventurous, and it’s still one of the few places we’ve visited which isn’t the local parade of shops or to see family. Even when we were in Sunny Hunny last weekend as we got to the front for a walk along the promenade, it was busy, busier than I expected (despite seeing the pictures of Bournemouth beach). I think though the Norfolk wether wasn’t helping, the rain was on its way and many people were heading back to their holiday rental.

But back to Hyde Hall. It rained that day too thinking about it. But not as we wandered through the Rose Walk in the upper garden.

The colours, and the scent especially was intoxicating.

And there was plenty to admire. Wildflowers sitting happily alongside these more peony varieties.

And a clematis or two too - just look at the colour of this one.

There were bushes with individual blooms, the one below is probably my favourite, even now looking back at my pictures.

But what amazed me was the multiple headed and clusters of roses in full flower. And more than double the scent.

I can smell them in my head now as I’m typing this post, at some point soon smelling some roses in real life would be most welcome!

Succulents at RHS Hyde Hall

I’ve long been a fan of succulents, but this year they’ve not really made an impact in my garden. I had plans to include some in a picture frame, but as I’ve not been to the garden centre yet that’s on hold. I hadn’t really noticed the succulents at RHS Hyde Hall before, but as we were scouting for potential rain shelters, I spotted a few pots full of succulents.

And I couldn’t have been happier!

If you know Hyde Hall and are wondering where, they’re by the new building at the top of the hill. At one of the exits to the cafe (which was obviously closed on our visit).

It’s somewhere I’ll be making a point of stopping off at again.

Though I was good, and didn’t check to see if any of the leaves were detached, which go on to form new plants. I have been known to ask at garden centres if I can have these, and no one’s ever said no. It’s when I’m buying plants, I don’t have that much front to ask on the off chance.

I’ll definitely be checking my succulents this weekend - free plants, and succulents, what’s not to like?