In among the lilies

We have had the lilies in the pond since it was moved to the patio area and they have never flowered - nice leaves though!
Once again they have started shooting leaves and once again the fish have started eating them!
So PJ removed the lillies and left them on the patio.
He put one in a bucket of water 'just in case' it was still alive, the other went into the 'chopper pond' .... yes! we have a downed chopper in that pond (just an ornament - don't ask.)
The bucket had lots of mosquitoes in it as standing water does after a while, I was concerned but ..... if I get bitten PJ will have to change the water!

The lily grew and now I see there is a bud on it .... interesting .....  come to think of it .... all the mosquitoes are gone ... must be good!

Sitting outside I look into the bucket to see how the bud is growing and  ......


LOOK!  a baby fish!!!!


Where?

There!!

.... and another one!!!

Where?

There!

..... and another two!!!!

Where?

There!!

Who would have thought it ..... baby fish .... can't see into the other pond but time will tell if there are more ......

Slightly distracted in the garden

Off we went, starting the week by visiting our clients garden where we mowed, weeded, pruned and planted.
Two hours later we came home and collapsed!
After a cup of coffee and a sandwich we felt much better, so much better I thought I would weed a little bit of the border at the top of the garden.

So I cleared this small area .....

.... then I pruned a few bushes .....

.... just a few bushes more to prune .... but not today .......

 ..... a little more border .... but not today ........

..... we gathered up all the greenery - ok!  -  PJ collected all the bits, cleared the lawn while I sat in a chair and watched ..... I had half filled the bag but then was too exhausted to continue ......

... we sat in those two chairs for a couple of hours, watching the birds, discussing how beautiful it was to be able to take the time to just sit and stare ......

I started out just doing a bit of weeding and   .... then became distracted  .... and we ended up with a super time out, viewing the garden from a different angle!!!
Didn't we have a lovely day?
Didn't we just!!!

To venture forth or not ... it's too hot!

There are loads of ATCs around this place.  I am entering swaps left, right and centre.  I am crocheting blankets in an evening and trying to sleep at night - going out I am not!!
Why the change of schedule round here?
It's too darn hot!
I am not a heat lover, I prefer the cold weather - cos when I am cold I can get warm but when I'm hot .... it is very difficult to cool down!  At least when I moan about the cold, people will agree but when I moan about the heat .....
I am happy when the temperature is round about 20°C and with the temperature rising to about 30°C, it is not nice for me.
One of the reasons I do not move to warmer climes is I couldn't take the heat.  How do I know this?
Back in the day, when I used to travel up and down the road to Italy with PJ, I spent his 50th birthday travelling with him - One of the July birthdays.

We travelled through France stopping at one of our favourite stopovers .....
Christine brought out a Creme Caramel with a single lit candle and we all sang 'Happy Birthday' ... in French of course!! and had a great time.

Then we arrived in Italy ..... PJ usually travelled in the northern area so it should not be too bad.
It wasn't.
Except .....
After all the deliveries were done we loaded up and headed for home, our first stop .... Carisio - a great stopping place for Trucks!
There was a large restaurante area, a bar and SHOWERS.  We always used the double shower cos there was lots and lots of room in there ... and you had to be married to use it!!
On this occasion the air conditioning was not working in the cab of the truck so it was very hot and humid.  At the back of the restaurante, not shown on the photo, is a big rice paddy field .... sleeping in that cab at night, with no AC - no windows open cos of the mosuitos - not nice!
No, I don't like the heat!!!!

Unexpected Pleasure of a Wedding

Yesterday morning we received an invite to our neighbour's daughter's wedding party.  He was full of apologies for the lateness of the invite but explained that he had left his son to deliver to the neighbours' invites and ..... well, we all have children!
I spent most of the morning making a card (see CardiusBloggus for details) and then we had to decide what to wear and which neighbours would be going ..... all in a rush .....

But we arrived at the venue on time and chose our table, saving seats for our neighbours who would be following.

imagine this in red not purple!

We were very impressed with the venue - from the outside it is just another building in a rundown part of Birmingham but inside.......
There were plasma screens, subtle lighting, beautifully decorated tables and space.  The décor was red and cream but the lanterns were reflecting the red and, once the bridal parties arrived, the lanterns twisted throwing the reflected light across the room.  Very pretty.


The Groom and his family were preceded by drummers and Aikeel looked most handsome in his outfit.

Hirah was escorted by her younger brother and followed by her Father and Mother.

She looked stunning!  

The family were then called forward for the photographs and the happy couple spent most of the evening seated together, having photos taken with everyone.

We had a most enjoyable evening, a family joined us at the table and we all chatted away most of the night, sharing food and drinks.  The starters were followed by rice with the usual curries and then we had ice cream with a warm carrot mixture - sounds awful but it was delish!
Maz and his family were excellent company and I hope we meet up with them again - they said they might bring us some home-made samosas  ... yum!  yum!

BTW - family photos were taken with my Samsung phone so not the best quality - sorry!