IN A GREEN SHADE

Always a fleeting pleasure when sunlight catches Cyclamen hederifolium in a woodland setting.

A bit of weeding, except I noticed that the 'weeds' in a courtyard area at the music school were self-seeded Verbena bonariensis.

An annual task at the music school- cutting the Yew hedges (approx. 70m in various locations).

Sedums are stalwarts of herbaceous borders in late summer/early autumn.

So, farewell the Mulberry Tree.

Here comes the rain again.

Getting that change in the weather, last days of summer elegiac feeling.

Enjoying some mellow sunshine at the music school.

Even marshy habitats are dry.

What a difference: on June 12th.

A cool, cloudy day!

It's incredible- this summer southern England has been hotter and drier than any other period since records began.

Tonal eclipse of the sun - as seen at Knocking Hoe - projected through a kitchen colander onto a sheet of white card.

Three drought/heatwave summers in the past five years bears out the contention that the Mediterranean climate will move northwards to the south of England.

The parched grasslands of southern England are largely bereft of wildflowers in flower.

This is England: blue sky, green trees, straw-coloured grass.

England's green and pleasant land has turned brown.

There is no water shortage.

Even the wildflowers are wilting but not this impressive display of Umbellifers.

Fluffy.

Southern England is parched.

Butterflies seem to be flourishing in this long, hot summer.

Runner Beans ramping- these are the old variety 'Scarlet Emperor'.

A day trip to the North Kent coast.

Six-Spot Burnet on Field Scabious.