Finally some sun...flower

I don't know where the time goes. I don't even remember Saturday. On Sunday we made a spur of the moment decision to have a barbecue, as it was so warm and sunny. So that meant dinner was a bit later than usual, and then we had to go out in the evening when we realised it was our last chance to see a friend who was over from Spain with all her family. She reckoned it was two and a half years since we'd last seen the kids - and seeing how much the younger two had grown, that's probably true. C enjoyed getting a lesson from the kids in how to roll his Rs. It's something he does as a singing exercise, and struggles with. Apparently the oldest of the three (the only one who lived in Ireland) had to get lessons in how to do it properly when they settled in Spain. The funny thing is that C can do it when he's NOT trying - there are two or three words in particular - like drama - where he tends to roll the r noticeably. But when it comes to singing it on a scale - no way, José.
It seems strange to me that the sunflowers I planted in a tub (thinking they were runner beans) have grown at least twice as tall as the ones planted in the garden border which has now had compost dug into it three times. But that's the case - being in the tub, they are so tall that to get a front-on view I need to stand on a chair.

It's not just me who enjoyed Garden in the Clouds so much - I've been hearing chuckles coming from C now and again, and comments on various things he's read. Since he is most definitely NOT a gardener, I think that cements its place on a list of good gift-books.