Rains come, the weather feels like summer and the plants get confused

 It's been such lovely weather in the south east; washing goes out and is dry within an hour, lawns are verdant and accept mowing on a regular basis, the rains come and water the borders and flowers find their voices after being in semi-hibernation throughout the extreme heat of the summer months.

the first year its given me such spectacular colour

I took my camera out into the garden the other day. It is the middle of October and yet I have so many plants doing their best to put on a show and set seed before the cold and short days of winter arrive. At this rate it will be the shortening of the days which put pay to many of them.

a pot of chrysanthemum doing me proud for yet another year

very surprised by the marigolds especially as I'd chopped them back so harshly.

There are still a few butterflies out hunting for nectar and the honey bees carry on with their gathering for as long as they have breath to be able to fly. 

my trailing rosemary really surprised me but it's been a magnet for the honey bees.

the last of the roses. I've chopped all the others down so as to prevent rocking at the base when the wet, windy weather arrives.

 

The greenhouse is alive with geraniums, pelagoniums and herbs such as mint, basil and lemon thyme and its so hot in there I have to open the door every day just to let some cool air in!

Please don't get me wrong, its nice to still be in flip flops and summer dresses. OK I wear a cardigan but the thought of shoes? Nope, not yet. 

I went out for a wander this afternoon. There is so much going on in politics, the economy, value of the pound and the bond markets, I just needed a quiet thirty minutes whilst I had a think about the ramifications of the past few months and weeks.

I went to Kings Hill; I needed milk and stuff so two birds with one stone, shopping and walking.

There is a lot of building going on, reminding me of Thamesmead during its heady days of development and money. Not surprised by the building however sad it is, as we have been given very high targets where house building is concerned. It's still sad though, the inner green spaces that were there are now vanishing under roadways and footings. 

The boulevards are still tree lined however and its at this time of year they look at their most spectacular. Coming up to one roundabout I was stunned by the perfect beauty of the three trees, one red, one yellow and one a deep russet. I would have loved to stop and take a photograph but the traffic around wouldn't have thanked me.

As I walked among the small houses I was pleasantly surprised by just how many bedding plants seem to have blossomed in full glory and communal areas were carpeted with a flower meadow!! In October!! Just amazing.

Oh well, the weather is changing as is the complexion of our country; I am somewhat intrigued where it will all go next?