A bit of flower inspiration..

... its only since we have moved that I've realised how few flowers there were where we previously lived - not many flowers in front gardens - in the gardens around us now there are lots of beautiful flowers (due to well established gardens) - I find them really inspiring - colours and the flower shapes themselves.

Lupins in a neighbours garden - beautiful colours!! Love how they fade from pink to orange, with a touch of paler colours. Definitely having some of these in our garden.

 This plant was in our garden - I have no idea what it is but love the seed heads with their wispy tops.

LOVE these roses - from our new garden - big old fashioned blousy roses - I especially like how the centre opens in what seems to be multiple swirls when they come in to full bloom.  Gorgeous.

Father's day....

I didn't get to see my Dad on Father's Day, and that's ok as he was watching & supporting my brother who had cycled from London to Brighton (for charity, so well done to him!). But I did call my dad and sing 'happy father's day' - and who wouldn't want that! rofl
Here's his card:

Fanfare please...

..no, seriously, I'd like a fanfare...

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was fabulous and definitely had its fair share of fanfares (as a country we do have a flair for pomp and ceremony don't we!)
...so the fanfare is not for that...
...and not because I may be owed a fanfare from back in 1977, for the Queen's Silver Jubilee, when I was dressed like this:

I was a very cute Britannia! lol (ahem, even if I do say so myself)

the fanfare is because... wait for it... we bought a house!!!!

.. not: we're buying a house, oh no -  we have actually bought a house! oh yes! - we've
... got the keys,
... stripped the wallpaper (well, some of it),
... trimmed the garden (I've got secateurs and I am not afraid to use them! lol)
... booked the workmen
... and we move in next week!!!! (7 weeks from offer to completion - not bad!)
I feel there should be a fanfare, if only a little one because this is the 3rd time in the last 12 months we've tried to buy somewhere - well they say 3rd time lucky don't they! 
I kept it quiet because I didn't want to get my hopes up or jinx it. lol  I wanted the keys in my hand before I could do a happy dance! So its all very exciting and we're really pleased (if a little bit knackered from moving!)
And to top it off look what I bought from the owner:

oh be still my vintage-trunk-loving-heart!! Its lovely - and it's travelled in style: one of the labels on the side is for the Orient Express! :o)
Moving into a new house is exciting isn't it?! We found September 1960 newspapers under under one of the carpets - I'm LOVING the illustrations - very 'mad men'esque

So, that's what I've been up to - I hope you're all well and nobody's been affected too much by all this rain! when will it stop!? Its JUNE!! isn't it supposed to be hot & sunny!