Hollyhock

Most of the day was spent preparing food for Lizzy's birthday barbecue. We wondered whether much of it would be spent in the garden, as there were frequent heavy showers and longer spells of rain until about five o'clock, when the clouds suddenly rolled back and the sun burst forth. I nipped out to get a quick photograph of this pale hollyhock before the guests arrived.

It stayed fine for the rest of the evening and we were able to eat outside, only retreating to the lounge when the mosquitoes and biting midges became a bit too voracious. We then played a very prolonged game of Cards Against Humanity. I don't know whether to be proud or ashamed that my team won with quite a large margin...