A flower in the wilderness

Every now and again, we tackle our garden to make it look a little less wild. It is superficially respectable but our pro-gardening friends would see it as a minimalist housekeeping. We have a stint weeding, clearing out moss and sharpening up the edges. (The grass gets cut weather permitting but that is a bit like sweeping dust under the mat).

I was surprised, however, to find this lovely wild flower growing through the patio flags next to our #2 shed. Sadly, it couldn't stay, but it is now in a vase so we can enjoy it in the house for a few days.

I'm not certain what it is, a Lupin or a Gladiolus perhaps?

Green fingers...

...or rather, green stains, chlorophyll hands from the first grass cut of the season. The front is looking OK, the back a little shaggy. It was a dry day, sometimes sunny but a bit chilly with a cold wind.

For the first time I cut the grass with my noise cancelling headphones on & hooked up to my dinky MP3 player. It relieved the monotony no end and I listened to various music tracks and an interesting talk by Brian Micklethwait.

There is a downside to the Bose wonder phones though- you cannot hear the lawn mower! I worked out that I could feel when it was running (& jammed up) from the vibration up the handles.

Another downside is that spouses can sneak up behind you and give you a shock by tapping you on the shoulder...