On Ilkley Moor by tat....

The garden was left to its own devices for a whole weekend whilst I packed up the tribe and travelled across the Ridings to visit some very dear friends of ours who live at the foot of this beautiful landscape.

Like us, they turned their backs on the city life, like us they were drawn back to Yorkshire, but unlike us they run up mountains for fun. (I'm strictly wellies or heels, I dont even know if I own a pair of trainers!) They have my total admiration and awe but i'll leave the Fell running to them, I'm more of a moocher than a sprinter!

We had an amazing time, and did get to walk this stunning path by the local river. We took a long way round, and got a little lost, but then if we'd known the way we'd have missed the view...



All that walking was a bit much for some, although I think one of these ramblers was just trying it on!



I had a brief moment of gardeners guilt wondering how everything was doing in my absence, but I neednt have worried because we returned to find more blooms bursting out all over.

I love this plant, it was in the garden when we got here...I think its a Penstemon but I really dont know...any advice?



and this shrub which i think is a black elder had decided to go for it and in the space of two days was laden with pink clouds...



We also pulled our first crop of beets, gorgeous fat little boltardy beets. Were excited about them now, lets see if we feel the same after weve been eating them all summer, cos theres plenty more where they came from!



Anyone for Borscht!!!