Red Admirable

Red Admirable is the original 18C name for this butterfly (Vanessa Atalanta) from which Red Admiral is derived. Every year they arrive in this country in May and June from the Continent, some do try and hibernate here over the winter but not very successfully. The larva feed on stinging nettles and the adults look for buddleia, ivy flowers and blackberry blossom. We have all these plants in the garden in great profusion! This year, however, the butterfly numbers are down following our appallingly wet and cold summer.

T out again working as always, helping with the silage on a neighbour's farm. N met some friends at the local before lunch. Snatches of the Olympics are digested during the day. Only certain sports catch our eye. I am not an avid sport watcher at the best of times.