The drive from Napoli to Sorrento passes the base of Mount Vesuvius and you pass Poly tunnel after Poly tunnel, for as far as the eye can see. Often when in restaurants, the Tomatoes are labelled as 'grown from the soil of Vesuvius' and it clearly has its own micro climate that the residents of Napoli are proud of.
On the island of Capri, we were surrounded by many wild flowers, little Orchids and Borage and many plants I did not know. I may well have known them as they look in the UK but they may look different in Italy; such as the Aloe, which I saw flowering in the warm Italian sunshine of Amalfi.
Being there in April meant lots of Wisteria at every turn and one I saw on Capri had the most enormous trunk with endless racemes hanging over a support.
One thing the gardens boast on the Amalfi coast of course is the Vista, the Panorama, the endless beauty of the mountains and sea. At Villa Rufolo in Ravello, high up the mountain, I snapped two Gardeners working in the most beautiful location where blue sky melts to blue sea.
What a breath of fresh air. Back to Blighty with a bump and back to work at Heale. The garden seems to have exploded in greens and buds and flowers (and maybe the ODD weed).
Much of my time was spent trying to control said Weeds in the veg garden. Also time to plant out the Leeks and earth up the Pots. The Sweet peas are trying to go and the Salad has gone crazy. Around the garden, blossoms are in full flow, the Apple Tunnels look wonderful. The Japanese garden is a joy to see and the long meadow grass of the triangle is really beautiful.
Great to be back, lots of wildlife (the odd bank Vole), birds and the good old visitor to chat to. Much work ahead but starting to see it come together now.
HG introduced me to Mollie the witch and what a beauty she is too - Paeonia mlokosewitschii - surely that cannot be her true name. I think I will stick to Mollie.
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