#JeSuisEuropean

Today I realised just how alienated I am in my own country, in my own county, in my own home town.  Britain has never walked away from a challenge before - this is a sad day for our country, a sad day for Europe, and a terrible and bitter day for those who believe in strength through unity in a bleak and dangerous world.  Today an older generation of voters, having profited and benefited so much out of the peace, prosperity, free trade and free movement of people, have chosen to destroy and destabilise the future for their children.  The younger generation will never - ever - forget this.  Je Suis European.

The greatest game

As a lifelong fan of the Beautiful Game, I've seen my share of memorable matches, both live and on TV.  Torquay thrashing Scarborough in the Third Division play-off semi finals... Arsenal beating Everton to clinch the Premier League... Newcastle 3, Liverpool 4...  But when you're talking about the absolute match that I'll remember until the day I die, just wind the clock back to twenty years ago tonight -  18 June 1996.

"Gascoigne into the area, Sheringham, it’s cut back for him... it’s set up for SHEARER…  Three Nil!  Brilliant play from England!"

Shearer makes it three.  England will run out 4-1 winners (source: Talksport)

Ten reasons to love the garden now

It's June, the weather is warm, and the garden is starting to come into its own.  A quick stroll up to the summerhouse and back revealed a whole host of new and exciting developments, showing that even if you take your eye off the ball for only a day or two, nature is ceaselessly whirling away creating.  Gardening is, of course, a blink-and-you-miss-it way of life, but here's ten things happening now at Oak Tree Drive that simply make the heart sing.

1.  Foxgloves are coming into their prime.  After what seems like an eternity, these reliable natives are bringing a party full of colour to the woodland bank.  They're also looking stately in the cottage garden theme, and what's more, the bumblebees are going crazy for them.

2.  Birdsfoot Trefoil has arrived.  I popped a couple of tiny plants into our wild grass area back in late winter, and today it has almost exploded onto the scene.  Billed as an ideal plant for the wildlife garden, this is a food plant for many species of caterpillar, so hopefully the garden will be fluttering away forevermore.

3.  Love-In-A-Mist seeds everywhere.  Last year we had it in abundance in the front garden, and this year I grabbed some seedlings and planted out the back, where they've taken exceptionally well.  A real beauty in my informal borders, and one that will flower for weeks to come, this is one of my personal faves.

4.  Beach Asters - Erigeron Glaucus Sea "Breeze" - with their delightful daisy flowers and stunning pink petals, evoke memories of seaside holidays and walks through the dunes.  I wasn't sure if these would take in our garden, so I was delighted to see the first flower heads form.  Even better, the slugs have almost entirely ignored them.

5.  What's better than a frog in your wildlife pond?  Well, how about four frogs?  I finally snapped a clear photo of one of these little croakers one evening last week - at this time, there were two more in the pond, and another skulking in the border.

6.  Astrantia Major is looking regal, poking its delicate heads through the partial shade and into the sun.  Apparently an old cottage garden favourite, this is a new one for me, but one I'll definitely look to expand upon as the years go by.

7. Red campion (left) is in its element.  Just take a look around the hedgerows, roadside verges, and woodland and you'll see it in abundance.  A great choice for our woodland garden, as it kicks into gear just as the bluebells and wild garlic fades away.

8.  Primula Vialii (right) look exotic and exciting, yet grow brilliantly in our climate.  I think they add a touch of class to the border, bringing the perfect mix of both jewel and woodland gardens.

9.  The birdsong this spring has been exceptional, and it shows no sign of stopping yet.  Just take a listen:



10.  Summer fruits are on the way.  It'll be a good few weeks yet, but the flowers and fruits of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are there for all to see.  I can't wait to taste the first crumble of the year!

A lazy hazy summer morning in Babbacombe