More from the garden . . . and an unexpected development!

This little saxifrage has been smothered in flowers for a couple of weeks, and  is a cheerful welcome to the garden

N's been pottering in the garden over the weekend, and yesterday we bought some more seeds - Nantes carrots and some coriander; we both love the taste of fresh coriander, it just brings food alive.  I've now got a mini propogator on the kitchen windowsill with parsley, coriander and basil in pots.  Hopefully when we return from our trip to Orkney, they should be germinating.

We spotted this little interloper in amongst the perennials the other day.  It's one of last year's potatoes which we must have missed, and which has now decided to sprout.  You never know, it just might manage to produce a couple of spuds later in the year - more 'freebies', always welcome :)

The birds are really putting on a good choral show at the moment, and this blackbird was in fine voice yesterday.  Although the photo doesn't show it too clearly, he has some distinctive grey markings on his back, which is unusual as male blackbirds are generally completely black.  However, it does make him very obvious, and we have recognised him in the gardens for several months.  

We have a number of 'projects' lined up for the summer, and I really should make a list - I may start jotting things down when we're away so they don't get forgotten.  I have one major craft project which I am looking forward to very much - there's a deadline for that and it needs a bit of planning to fit in with everything else.  

And now to change the subject completely, we had a phone call from the estate agent this morning, and we have a viewing this afternoon!  And then, a couple of hours' later, he phoned again to arrange another viewing today!!  Good grief, it's taken us by surprise.  Nothing for 4 months, then 2 the day before we go away.  We will wait to see what, if anything, comes of it.