Bird god

I see a Bird God, gazing down into a bowl of molten gold - but maybe that's just me. This is just one of perhaps a hundred flowers, growing off a tree in a great cascade.

The story of how we came to see them is rather sad. Some time ago, while taking photos of humming birds, I realized I was being watched from behind the hedge. The eyes turned out to belong to the caretakers of this rather large property, and they and their 8-year-old son came out to see me and were very welcoming. They asked me in for a coffee and when I confessed that I had always been curious about this big old property, way up the hill and quite isolated, they showed me all round the beautifully kept garden.

Today, we met them at the bottom of the hill as we were driving up to walk the dog. We stopped to say hallo and heard the sad story of how they had been sacked and only had until 10th December to find somewhere else to live. It's a long story, but it seems they have been harshly and unjustly treated. Anyway, we gave them a lift to their door, then went off for our walk. On the way back, as HH had never seen the place, we took them up on their invitation to go in - which is when we saw the orchids, as well as the biggest magnolia tree I've ever set eyes on, and with the biggest flowers. We also went right round through the woods behind the house. Kayla raced round in a paroxysm of excitement, enjoying the novelty and the wide areas of lawn.

An excellent party at the golf club in the evening, to celebrate its 80th birthday. Lots of people, beautiful flowers and everyone in a good mood. Maybe the club is climbing from its dire financial situation, with members leaving in droves.