'What is this life'

So yesterday I had a busy day; check up, coffee, blogging and then spending the rest of the day at the allotment.

I focused on the main bed on 45. The bark means I can weed it using a hand fork instead of a full-sized garden fork.

I took my time stopping regularly for a sit down and a drink. After several hours, I ended up near the grass verge and at the point where the grass was too thick for a hand trowel. Deciding to stop I admired my handiwork.

Having a greenhouse over flowing with plants I decided to start putting them out, starting with our courgettes. We have 2 green and 1 yellow. (I have donated the second yellow courgette to the school allotment.)

I need to rebark the area but thought I would plant everything and get Mr P to help remove the last of the grass first. I also need Mr P's help with Cecil and Cecelia before planting the last of the plants out, need to protect from the rabbits and pigeons!

I found this little beauty hiding in the weeds. It's managed to grow 5m away from the flowerbed. I should move it but I hadn't the heart to disturb it. Feeling down yesterday, this little flower reminded me that there is always a chance of something wonderful and unexpected happening.

I finished off by planting Primulas around the cherry tree on 47. They were in a planter at home but were not liking the suntrap that is our decking.

Feeling thoroughly achy I went for a lie down in the mini meadow at the back of 45. I like to keep a small section for wildlife and the cool grass was a relief from the heat of the day. My view:

It was nice to stop and stare up. I saw several different birds including swallows, as well as bees and butterflies. Laid there in the still listening to the world I reconnected with nature until my neighbour came rushing up to make sure I was alright and hadn't had a fall. He must have thought I was nuts however those 15 minutes were the most relaxing of my day.

I mentioned my moment in the grass and a friend reminded me of William H Davies' poem 'We have no time'

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

Off to spend an hour at the school allotment now.

Thanks for reading. Keep digging :)