Willow Gentian

On the road early, we met up with Ruth in Birmingham for a pub lunch.  A curious place, the food was good, even if we did have to wait ages.  It mattered not as we were there to spend time with Ruth.  The pub had a 'lived in' feel, a bit worn around the edges .... like The Velveteen Rabbit, well loved. Ruth was in good form, enjoying her increasing independence. 

We continued through the increasing Bank Holiday weekend traffic to a little village close to the Welsh border, to spend the night with friends who live in a converted windmill.  Plantspeople like myself, they have a large and interesting garden and it's been good to talk plants with fellow enthusiasts.  I brought a tray of plants for them and it's already been refilled with goodies to take home :-)

Extra pic - a glimpse of the tower