Growing Spikes

 This year's pup on my monstrose T. Bridgesii is growing new thorns:

Avalon 2 | 3/100

The butterfly is opening its wings. That is the say, Avalon 2 is starting to look good...

Avalon 2 | 2/100

My 100 Day Project to produce a second issue of my Glastonbury zine began last night. At the moment, I quite like the joy of the May Day festivities expressed in my cover...

I have also now confirmed the contents of the zine:

Hospital

 Another visit to the hospital this morning. Came away with a plan of actionin the form of a prescription.

Eye Surgery

 Looks like I am finally getting my eye sorted 😎

I finally completed the ms for the 2nd Guy N Smith zine. Just 5 weeks left before you can purchase a copy.

A Cheeky Gin and Fire

 Enjoying a cheeky gin around a garden fire after work.

My Big Bois Cacti

 

The Bumper Book of Ghost Stories

 Whilst I was collecting Armada Ghost Books, I also acquired this gem of an Armada book. As you can see, it is also signed by Mary Danby!

Aquilegia

 

Forget-me-nots

 The last of our 2025 forget-me-nots: 

Saturday fades

Look what caught my eye whilst baking a potato this evening -  the last rays of today soaking through the leaves of my purple oxaris:

Just thought I'd share.

Garden Reading

I have been wanting to read the short story  WHO's A PRETTY BOY, THEN by Jan Mark ever since I saw it collected in the 15th Armada Ghost Book. And wow, am I glad I took a few minutes of my time this afternoon to read it. Written from the point of a view of a child, the story is crafted perfectly and is rather a dark beast of a tale. The more thought given to it, the darker the simple tale becomes. Highly recommended reading.

Garden Plant of the Moment...

 ...are these glorious red poppies, which have sprung up outside our front door:

Morning Glory

 The first thing that greets me when I leave the bedroom each morning is this sight:

A Lark Too Far

Putting some flesh on the bones of a short story... 

Some of my Lophophora williamsii Bois

Happy Dreams, Mandrake

 My Mandrake has retired for the Summer. See you in the Winter again fella:

I have never seen these plants...

...looking so healthy 🌱

I made this...

...whilst away last weekend:

I brought the stones home with me. I wonder where they will end up. Watch this space...

Malvern Three Counties RHS Show

I am posting this as we head home from the Malvern RHS Show. It has been a very-much-needed mega-chilled weekend and I am going home with a new plants and interesting yard art.

I loved this scene from a Japanese garden design featured in the show:

And whilst I didn't buy any from the show, I will be disappointment of this tulip variety is not growing the garden.

We found good Old Rosie in her usual spot in the show and after we both savoured her delights we continued our persulal of the gardening trade stands:

I have been wanting a set of these for years, and finally the price was right - x3 for £22.50;

And, finally, my garden buddha has been over grown by ivy, so it is time to give him a new spot in the garden. Just after telling Mrs. Pixie-Led that I was looking for a new plant to frame the Buddha statue, we turned a corner and, hey presto, not one but two Buddha display's presented themselves with the same plant:

The coincidencw sealed the deal and our Buddha will soon have a beautiful new place to spread his peaceful vibes and a lovely colourful plant as a backdrop 😎

It was a long, hot, but happy day, but, soon enough, it was time to head home.