Little Gems

Crocus flowers are quite fleeting, even in fair weather each flower may only last a week or so, longer if the weather is cool and settled.   They often make up for this by producing several flowers in succession and growing a wide range of species extends the season to many months.  For me though, it's the almost gem-like appearance of the little flowers and their seemingly infinite variations that makes them so special.  Todays offering, Crocus pumilus form Crete, is one of the smallest of the lot.  Once included in the very variable Crocus laevigatus, it's diminutive nature and white/cream flowers with purple stripes set the Cretan plants apart.  This newly opened flower is about 2cm across.   

After a much better nights sleep, this has been an altogether happier day.   I've started work on the project I've been planning outside which will see a muddy patch that was once grassed over become an area of pea stone held in place by plastic grids which are more commonly used for driveways and shed bases.  I used this method in Norwich and it worked well.  I dog-sat for Jamie while he went to the gym and took Meg for another country walk.   A large haul of windfall apples was collected from a friend round the corner which Ruth and I will convert into more apple jelly.   An hour at work was partly about making an inventory of what I do and where stuff is kept ready for sharing with the new cleaner who starts tomorrow.   :-)  :-)