Pruning

It’s too hot to speak in long sentences. Another week of 34C in the shade. No rain in sight. Plants drooping. I do sound like a broken record.

So this morning I decided to take advantage of the lovely cool weather. By not painting. Boy am I glad the railing work is over.

I had time to water the entire vegetable garden; pick a bucket of cosmos for Daniele, and make up a bouquet of flowers for the Thursday market.

All done before 9am.

And it was just in time. We are on town water at the moment as the level was so low in the tank.   But around 915am the water pressure suddenly dropped and only a dribble was coming out.

So we did a quick change over of the water, hoped and prayed there was enough in our tank, and eschewed washing up.

I found plenty to occupy myself with a pair of secateurs in my hand.

The courtyard is looking decidedly scruffy.   The vine leaves are crisping up and dying in droves.   And the mulberry tree that stands as a symbol for our previous incarnation as a silk worm farm has plenty of greenery.

But a lot of it is growing downwards.   So I lopped off a huge wheelbarrow load and then came back for a go at the vines.

Things look neater now. And I’ve opened up the view even more from the vantage point of the table under the vines.

It’s something I should have done weeks ago.

But it’s done now. And I can just hope for the chance to get a bit more watering in the morning.   August is never a good time for your water supply from the town to break down. Holiday season.   Engineers very absent indeed.

And to finish my day: a vase of greens.   I’ve finished with the lilies and I don’t have enough cosmos for myself and my neighbours and friends.   So it’s just plain old chestnut branches in the hallway.