Autumn Garden 

After the very hot and dry summer the garden is full of tall dead vegetation. I go out clutching my secateurs and carrying a bright pink bucket. I begin in the raised bed pruning the raspberries and pulling out the feathery remains of willow herb. There are a few surprises. The musk mallow trails untidily across the border and there at the very end, a spray of new buds and the soft pink of a flower. Also the Ballerina rose has several sprays of tight new buds. What joy! I think this has been brought about by the few heavy showers of refreshing rain we have just enjoyed.

Some autumn blessings too. cyclamen peeping out. 

and the glorious blue of Caryopteris.