Well the good news is that Speckles and his partner have a brood. Of that there is no, doubt, they are non stop gathering food all day and disappearing into the hedge. If either of them spots me they follow me around until I oblige by putting fruit in their bowl.

The other good news is that they are collecting up little slugs to feed to their offspring. I wish I could show you a cam of Mrs Speckles with a slug in her beak trying to cram as much dried fruit in as possible, one coming out of the side of her beak as she forces one into the front.

The blue tits have also produced chicks. The parents are so busy and they are so acrobatic. Seeing them clearing the greenfly off my roses is a joy to behold. What a great job these birds do.

At last I have been able to start planting up hanging baskets and containers. Not finished yet but well on the way.

I thought I had read the label. In fact I am sure I read the label. Whatever, I have had to dig up a clematis. Lovely as it is it got so vigorous that it threatened to cover everything in its way at that end of the garden. I cut it down early spring but it has just gone berserk. It found its way into a Red Robinand broke a branch with its weight. I don’t have a space for it but someone with a great spot free has asked if they can give it a home. Yes!

This time of the year I have a campanula that looks stunning. If it gets battered with rain it can look a matted mess but fortunately this year it is looking good.

The tomatoes have their first flowers, great to see and gives me something tasty to look forward to.

My favourite rose is in bloom. It seems to have exploded onto the scene. Gertrude Jekyll not only looks good but her delicious perfume fills the air. Absolutely wonderful, I cannot resist taking detours so that I can walk past her part of the garden.

All good news so far so I suppose I should let you know not all goes well in my garden either. The ants are back nesting in my front lawn. I just let them get on with it. At first there are a few brown patches but they settle, that is until the starlings and blackbirds sit on the entrances to make them squirt their acid.