Summer’s Back

It was a glorious summer weekend. The sun came out to play and the future’s bright. On a day like this, you just can’t afford to sit indoors.

We were up, bright and early to check out the natives at our playground.   The swallows were out and about enjoying the early sunshine. I wanted to get a photograph of the chick being fed which Babe took a few days ago. But they were busy too stretching their wings.

We walked through the meadows to see these gorgeous Holly Blue butterflies. Incredible isn’t it to see such unusual colours among the bushes? They somehow managed to blend with their surroundings.

Then we came across this thistle which was literally covered with these beautiful Peacock butterflies. It was amazing to watch them feeding furiously in the bright sunlight, flirting from one stalk to another.  What a sight!!!

I’m going to spread lots of thistle seeds around my garden. Fingers crossed I will have my own floating scraps of coloured paper. Couldn’t wait :-)

There was another football match today. We reached home when the game had started so that we won’t get stuck in traffic. Well done to the Sky Blues for defeating Roy Keane’s much-fancied Ipswich team in the Coca-Cola Championship season. They won 2:1.

For Sunday lunch, we’d roast chicken with roast potatoes and my home-grown steamed runner beans. It was my first harvest and there will be several more. I might even have to freeze some cos they are multiplying like crazy.

I also harvested the potatoes and out of 3 grow bags, I just managed to get about 2 kilos. Not much huh? But the thought of planting and harvesting your own potatoes  makes it worthwhile. I might just have it steamed with butter and sprinkled with chives. Couldn’t wait…

Yesterday we went into the city centre to check out the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at the Herbert. Photographs of striking landscapes and intimate portraits of animal behaviour adorned the walls.  Some are really amazing but some…you’ve the feeling that you could do better. Babe did upload some to the Herbert’s Flickr site but none from the site was displayed. Hmm…we wondered why? We posted some questions. Replies on a postcard please…

Outside the Herbert, there was a something going on. It was a showcase of performance by young people, programmed and produced by young emerging producers, performers and event organisers. 

 

On Wednesday was Nifsu Syaaban, celebrated by Muslims on the 15th of Syaaban, the eight month in the Hijrah calendar. "Nifsu’ is an Arabic word meaning middle.

Muslims are encouraged to perform more good deeds and be committed to their obligations towards Allah. One of the historical event in this month was when the ‘kiblat’ was moved from Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to the Kaabah in Mecca.

May our good deeds be accepted by Allah, Amen.