A Continual State of Inelegance!

Toby has had to be my stand-in as I couldn't possibly allow myself to be photographed, today!

Once upon a time...Jane Austen exclaimed, as only she could in her perfectly clipped, Queen's English:

"Oh dear!  What dreadful hot weather we have!  It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance!" 

I know exactly what she was talking about, as that's precisely how I've been feeling for the last couple of days.  It's been very, VERY hot and muggy.  The wind has dropped completely...WONDERFUL, YES! But wearing anything, however little, is far too much and I'm permanently sticky and dishevelled, no matter how often I splash my face with, or dunk my head in, cool water.  Even the pool is too hot to do a proper job of cooling me down!

I know, I know!  How can I possibly complain when so many of you are in the thick of freezing wintery weather, longing for a spot of sunshine to brighten your dark days.  Please hear me out.  I was thinking of you all!  While it was far too hot to bother with getting myself respectably dressed to do the grocery shopping that I should have done today, and far too hot to spend the day gardening, I amused myself (instead!) by quietly strolling around the garden, taking pictures to share with you!!!  Now, don't you think that's thoughtful of me? 

Please click the read more button below to continue ;)

Today's blue heavens...glorious, but HOT!

I tried to keep to the shady parts of the front garden, as any time in the baking sun had me breaking out in rivulets (see what I mean about inelegance?)  At least Toby managed to look as dapper as always!  That's why I asked him to be my "stand in!"  

In this heat, the water fern (azola) is growing far faster than I'm able to harvest the excess growth...which I add to my compost heap.

It might be nice to start our walk from here and work our way round the top terrace, along the path and then end up along the front of the house.

I cannot fathom why these pictures are so grainy.  Perhaps I had inadvertently triggered the wrong setting?  Or the contrasts are just too sharp?  Who knows!  I took them for you, so up they go...pretend I'm deliberately trying to achieve this effect ;)

Seated on the top terrace to admire the view a while.

Let's zoom in a bit - just look at that mountain, today!  It's a bit hazy because there's no wind about.  It will be glorious lit up by the setting sun tonight 

  OK, let's continue our stroll...

Looking down on to the pool past a branch of the yellowwood.

The pathway is mostly in shade, which is ideal for summer strolls around this section of the garden.

Looking upwards through the bars of an ornamental birdcage that hangs here.

I am unable to resist mirror images...the fencing visible on the lawned area is our attempt to keep the dogs off that piece - we're battling to get it to stay healthy, as they always gravitate to that spot when they get out of the pool.

Still playing around with mirror imagery ;)

At this time of year, our water features are at their best in terms of adding coolness and tranquility to these very hot days.

View of the pond from further back along the approach path.

Seating area outside the greenhouse - one of my favourite places to sit and sip something ice cold!  The cicadas are very loud today, too loud to stop and rest awhile beneath the shade of the willow tree.

Same seating area, but viewed now from beside the pond. This is the view I enjoy from my bedroom.

I must have had the settings wrong, today.  Clearly the heat has affected my brain as well ;)

Ah, this is better - had to adjust the setting for a close in shot, so at least I know I got it right this time!  I bought these boulders a few years back and have delighted in them ever since.

Blue flowers are my favourite for summer - look how exquisitely delicate these lobelias are (they are indigenous to SA), the most perfect shade of blue and white.

Oops!  Back to grainy, again.  Do you think my camera is perhaps trying to tell me something?

At this time of year, our umbrellas and trees do double-duty! 

I know you've seen this view often, but it's a favourite of mine.

Back under the shade again - it's just too, too hot out there!  We often sit out here to enjoy a glass of chilled, white wine or a light al fresco meal of an evening.  The garden lights turn it into a magical place.

I'll walk you down this way, a bit, so you can see our antique Hungarian woodbench up close.  It's my husband's prized possession - he restored it himself and had to ensure it will be well-protected from the elements (rain and heat), as it lives outdoors permanently.  It doubles as a wonderful serving area if necessary.

The wooden buckets are antique milk pails (How did you guess? Yes... Hungarian!).  My husband also treated these for living permanently outdoors.

 

Star jasmine growing in the pot to the left - heavenly perfume hangs on the air at night. 

Would that this bench could talk!!!

And, indeed...these milk pails.  What stories they could tell us! 

 And now, a couple of pictures I took of my peace rose...
 

I WISH YOU ALL A TRULY WONDERFUL DAY...

WHATEVER THE WEATHER :)