The ever-changing Spanish bush and other matters.

Last week I made my annual Spring visit to my dad who lives on the Costa Blanca in Spain. He has a bush in his front garden that I have never really looked at closely, possibly because I have already visited when it completes its magic act, so I have never noticed it. This year, I did and it is really rather lovely. I have no idea what it is and neither does he , so if anyone recognises it, I would love to know what it is called. 

The flower in its early stages is yellow and looks a bit like a scabious. 

Once it has been open for a few days, the flower starts to turn bright pink from the outer buds inwards. 

Until finally the whole flowers is a big fluffy pink ball. 

The overall effect is wonderful as they are all turning and opening at different times. 

His neighbours have the same bush, but the flowers start as orange and end up red. I don't suppose they will survive well in the UK so I shall look forward to seeing again next time I visit. Also flowering profusely in his garden were these beauties. 

So I came home hoping I still had a few daffodils and tulips left to look at, but I need not have worried. My wallflowers are now out in all their glory and they smell lovely.

And today , finally my first summer flower. This little calendula has survived the winter and has started to put on a lovely show. Its only tiny, but its the promise of things to come. 

Before I went away I took the opportunity to plant out my sprouts and cauliflowers. Lots of sticks were needed as support for the net and the plants, when they get a bit bigger. I didn't want to poke holes in the net so something was required to prevent this happening. Now if Gibson, our lovely chocolate lab measured his wealth in tennis balls he would without doubt be an Oligarch, so I am hoping he does't noticed I have pinched a few to support my nets. 

Lots of hours are being spent outside now and so pretty soon I will have lots of lovely things to write about. 

In other matters, Freda has spent the winter in the garage being fettled.. She is now looking and sounding wonderful so a couple of weeks ago she was out for her first Sunday run of the season. We entered the Triumph New Forest Run and had a glorious day in the sunshine with lots of other likeminded people, driving around the beautiful New Forest. 

The event finished at Highclifffe castle where the cars were all looked over and votes were cast in several categories. 

Much to our delight Freda won the class for best TR5/6. We were delighted and Jim was presented with his first trophy. 

What great start to the summer lets hope its a long hot one, like the one we had 40 years ago.