Out and about

Another perfect summer's day. I needed garden tools, so drove to Jones Garden Centre near Donabate. It's a terrific place which I'll definitely return to in more normal times. From there I continued to Newbridge House and Gardens and spent a really pleasant couple of hours wandering around, sitting on the grass with cheesecake and hot chocolate and generally soaking up the stunning surroundings. Not surprisingly, I wasn't the only one there. What a wonderful place it is, especially suitable for families with young children. Top marks to them for having hand-sanitation stations scattered around and for reserving parking spaces for over-70s.

Back home I put the new tools through their paces, concentrating on cutting back my phormiums which had become badly out of control. I piled up a lot of cut-offs, but I've still only scratched the surface. Resting from my labours I sat back and enjoyed the glorious sunshine, sipping on coffee and cider and listening to music on my earphones.

Extras show more of the Newbridge grounds and the interior of Jones Garden Centre.