Did someone call my name? – a goldfinch on the feeder…
We are all enjoying the sunshine and dry weather here in Dorset but in other parts of the country it has turned to drought and our thoughts and prayers are for the farmers, especially for those renting farms on low margins that their crops will not be too badly affected…
Heavy rain has woken me up this morning!
hazel tree 
Fantastic picture!
We finally had a good days rain on Sunday which was very welcome (although did stop us doing much other that watch it) and it’s supposed to rain more this week too. Would be nice if it stopped for next weekend tho… 🙂
We are also desperate for rain here in the North east of Scotland, as long as it doesn’t forget to stop once it arrives. Great picture of the Goldfinch. We had never been visited by these birds until about ten years ago, in fact I had never seen one before. Now strangely enough they are one of our most common visitors.
Great picture of the Goldfinch. It’s interesting how common they have become. WE could do with some rain. Not too heavy as we have sandy soil but all night would be good. Open garden day coming up……
Hi Mike……..no India this year ?
Missing your posts, Mike. Hope all ok and you’re just away.
Hi Mike – have you dried up in the drought? The recent heavy rains should have put you back together but then I remember a recent back injury too. Your erudite posts are missed in the blogosphere. Wonder if the allotment is absorbing you and the garden has you in its grip – or better still you are taking a break and leaving all the work to Charlie and Bones.
best wishes
Missing your lovely posts too, and joining the well-wishers in hoping that everything is okay, and you are sunning yourself on distant shores or immersed in the great outdoors.
Sara
Hi Mike – just popping by to say hello and to say that I’ve missed your posts. I hope all is well with you and the family and that it’s the allotment that is keeping you away from the blog.
Rosie
Hello Michael. I’ve missed you! I understand that you have probably got busy, as I did, and stopped posting whilst other things take over, but I just wanted to say hello, and that we passed Zeals on the way to Devon last week, so I thought of you and wondered which big gates belonged to the ‘Duchess’. We did whizz round Stourhead at the childrens’ request and for me to remember my hitch hiking youth. I hope all is well in your corner of the garden. Best wishes and get in touch if you and the wife visit Sissinghurst.
I to, having been away from Blotanical, and getting back into the groove, realise that you have long been silent. I hope all well with you Mike. I tick the email alert box for you – first time I have ever done that!
HI Michael,
Just wanted to say hi, and hope that every thing is ok.
Does anyone know what’s happened to Mike ?
Funny how one can feel fond of a person one has never met – I grew tired of the blogging scene about the same time as you, busy etc, but have wondered intermittently how you have been faring, and your son too, and whilst you may not reply want you to know I wish you and your family well. And thank you for the happiness you spread.