Bergamot ...

.... looking very fine and flirty in the early morning sun. I love this plant - the flamboyant colours and frilliness appeal. It's also called Bee Balm and is much loved by butterflies and bees. A quick swot up on it and it's fantastic made into a tea and cures headaches, sore throats and stress; the leaves and flowers can be thrown into your bath for added aroma and well being and the oil sniffed or massaged cures just about everything - stress, depression, cuts and bruises, headaches etc. And of course it's an essential ingredient in Earl Grey tea to which I am very partial. I might try the bath suggestion too in preparation for tomorrow.

Sunshine and showers today and a brisk north westerly wind but the swimming was divine. No jellyfish, the water as clear as the Caribbean - the only difference being the sea temperature - here in Ahakista it's a bracing 15C while in Bridgetown Barbados it's currently a sweltering 28C!!