Sunday 19th May 2019

It would be easy, and wonderful, to go orchiding every day. I might have a chance of getting round every site if i did. But, even for the passionate orchidist, sometimes its good to take a day off.

The forecast was good for Sunday, but the cloud rolled in and never really cleared.

So, the day out was abandoned, and instead, we did some gardening.

You see, last summer I bought some wildflower plugs, as it seemed the seeds were not working We broght the plugs on and planted them in the site of the old Imperialis beds. Give nature nine months to work, and she produces huge amounts of smooth sow-thistle. Huge amounts. Like thistley box hedges of the stuff.

We had to take action, and also to get rid of the last of the fennel.

Now, we have to decide what to do with the forest of poppies that are about to spring into flower. As each one fades we will take off the seed head, so from now on year on year, we might get fewer. Or not. I hear their seeds lie in the soil for decades.

Good job we like poppies.

We go out at eleven to see the new pier that Dover Harbour Board have had built for the town.

Four years ago they began work to create a new bulk freight facility, and wrecked the Prince of Wales Pier, and have been hammering piles into the sea bed for months and months.

The new pier is done, and from there we should be able to see the new marina, and on the other side the remains of the old pier with the cafe still in place.

Sun brings people out, so the promenade was packed, and many people were walking along the pier.

Its OK, but the only seating is at the far end, and has views of the harbour and castle on one side, and the empty marina and half built freight terminal on the other.

And it was cold, should have taken a jumper or coat.

On the way back we call in at the Hythe Bay restaurant for a drink and some cake.

CAKE!

It was good, though the cups were dirty, but the cake was very drizzely. And nice.

Back home to do more gardening and somehow fill the time with other stuff. I mean now there is so little football, what will I do with my time?

I cook steak and asparagus for dinner, which we eat about three.

We have not had steak for three months, and it was good.

Very good.

Our lawn is now a carpet of Yellow Rattle, mixed in with Bulbous Buttercups, Flax, thistles, poppies, daisies and so on, now not really a lawn at all. The dream of having a meadow is pretty much realised

And it has attracted so much wildlife; birds, butterflies and other insects. It really warms our hearts.

I let Jools beat me at Uckers in the evening, as darkness falls. It is Monday tomorrow, but I am on my holibobs