Flowers and Garden in the Rain

Hearing the rain fall this morning as I woke from my comfortable slumber was music to my ears.  The thunder was rumbling in the distance and the rain tapped at my window panes and fell to the ground with a splash into the awaiting puddles.  To me, I should be sitting next to a fire, with a good black and white film and hot chocolate during weather like this.  I listened to the birds giving warning of the heavy rain and my little Coco getting a bit restless downstairs as she knew that she would be taken out into this downpour very soon.  

It was not to be a whole day inside as there was a birthday in the family... my Dad's (we haven't given him a nickname yet have we?).  So, with one Miss Teen ready (Mr Teen still snoring loudly!), it was time for a short journey to the parent's home.  The roads were beginning to flood, so we left the smaller lanes to their own devices today.  After some catching up, Mumsy wanted to show me some new plants that they had bought this week.  I always love to see their garden as a few years ago when they moved in, it was just grass and a shed.  Now, it is a gorgeous haven completely put together by the both of them.  So, shall we peek through the looking glass?

The chocolaty red rose that you see is an absolute beauty.  It is meant to be the colour of chocolate, but doesn't quite match that of a Galaxy bar or Fruit and Nut, but still looks delicious.

The rain was falling again, but I had to capture the many pages of the rose petals trapping the rain.

This rose had such a story to tell I felt, especially with the raindrops enhancing its petals.  The same rose bush is on my Grandparent's graves.

My parent's rose garden is full of such gorgeousness, and so many buds yet to open.

There are many different textures in their garden.  The rope ball against the stones give a wonderful contrast to the greenery that surrounds them.

There is a real nautical theme in the garden due to their love of Cornwall.

Here are a couple of their many 'wish stones' that they found over the years while they holidayed there.  I am yet to find one of these stones with a hole through them.

The stepping stones  take on a completely different look in the rain and even though we were dripping while I was taking photos of this tranquil place, I thoroughly enjoyed focusing on the simple things.

Such as this rose petal in amongst the stones.  I loved this shot so much that I have edited it and made it my banner!

At the bottom of the garden is this secret hideway.  The vine is the housewarming present that we gave to my parent's when they moved in a few years ago.  A little plant that has gradually grown and now is a firm fixture in this oasis.

Can you see a little visitor to the garden by the mushrooms?  He is a colourful character isn't he!  A new purchase by Mumsy who has been looking for a pheasant for a while now.

Through the arch and into the hideaway is Mumsy's calming place, with this little fellow quietly meditating amongst the foliage.

The neighbours over the fence at the back are at peace.  There is a cemetery at the back which still holds burials, something that my parents didn't mind when buying the house.  After all, it can't be built on!  It is a lovely little cemetery.

One of the new plants was this unfurling fern.  I love it when these little fronds start to unwhirl.

The fern looked perfect next to the healthy pond.

The residents looked very happy to have this new addition to shade them on the sunnier days ahead.

The flowers and the garden were such a welcome respite to look at in the rain.  The wet stuff was certainly falling with vengeance, but everything looked so fresh and new in spite of this.

 And so, at the end of the catching up and a delicious cream cake, it was time to say goodbye to the Birthday Dad!  Happy Birthday!!!!! xxxx

 Thank you so much for your comments on my Wordless Wednesday post.  I have been a tad busy this last week at work so haven't been able to catch up properly, but I will eventually.  Welcome too to some new followers, you are so kind to have visited and followed.

Hopefully next week I will have some photos to share with you on York (a work trip but the camera will be coming along too).

Have a wonderful weekend and week... well, when the sun comes out anyway!

Take care.

You can also follow me on:

 

This week I am sharing with:

Fishtail Cottage 2014 Garden Party
Saturday Show Off