Blue sky morning!

We have a fuchsia hedge at the top of the garden on the lefthand side, (not that that should be of any significance, ) and it has taken off this year!
The first time I remember seeing a real fuchsia hedge was on the Isle of Man.
The island itself is set in the Gulf Stream and has a mild climate, generally.
Situated halfway between the largest of the British Isles and Northern Ireland.
It was the first time I had ever flown in the early 60’s.
My dad decided it was a good idea as the ferry crossing took over three hours in those days.
We lived in Rossendale then about 38 miles from the old Squires Gate airport at Blackpool.
So my sister and I and my parents went off in a large car driven by one of dad’s friends, for our very first (for all of us), flight. Quite an adventure!
It was quite noisy in the cabin as it was what I call a turbo prop plane. Two propellers.
I was very excited looking out of the window seeing the wing and watching the Blackpool coastline recede also catching a glimpse of the Lake District hills.
It was a beautifully clear day.
Far below us were boats and a ferry in the blue sea.
The Island itself appeared and was laid out like a map as you could see it in its entirety.
It was a lovely week’s holiday with sunshine every day.
We stayed in Port Erin, a very picturesque place set around a beautiful bay. There were lots of cliff walks.
Alongside the cliff footpaths in places were the fuchsia hedges in flower, something even now which stays with me. I have a very visual memory.
You could see the shapes of Mountains of Mourne in Northern Island from a vantage point above the bay.
Stephen and I had our first holiday together in Port Erin in 1970 as a newly engaged couple.
He had just finished his first year at Cambridge studying Law. I was teaching in a little place called Crawshawbooth in Rossendale. My first post after qualifying in 1969.
Each time the fuchsia hedge is in flower it winds back the years to those lovely memories.