More Newts, Fruit and Other Stuff

I called DH over to the pond this afternoon to introduce him to 'Newton' and he promptly pointed out there was another newt in the pond as well!

So now I have to think of another name.  This one looks thinner than the other.  How exciting to have two.  I had never seen newts before.  A frog also lives in this pond, although I haven't seen him for a few days now.

I saw this little ladybird on our door mat so rescued him/her and put her on a rose leaf.

Hopefully safer here.

The honeysuckle is soon to flower.

Lots of flower buds just waiting to burst forth.

Roses, although most are looking a little worse for wear after all the heavy rain we have had on and off for the last few days.

Raspberries are growing.

A few gooseberries, sadly not as many this year.

Apples. 

Lovely to see all the new growth and promise of fruit in the garden.  

I managed to sit out for a little while this afternoon and finish my book by Elizabeth West 'Hovel in the Hills' and really enjoyed it.  

I have read some really good books this month, my favourites being:

Island Wife by Judy Fairbarnes

A Foot in the Bucket by Jenny Green

Hovel in the Hills by Elizabeth West

I had to make a very disappointing decision today about my trip to the USA this year.  I had to cancel it last year and was really hoping I would manage to go this year, but after knowing how I 'paid' for our trip to Southampton on Saturday and then the subsequent pain I have been suffering from since Monday afternoon - a combination of sorting books and vacuuming (? I don't really know!) I have realised that I just can't cope with a ten plus hour plane trip and then a full on active schedule for the following seven days without it wiping me out completely for who knows how long.  I am pretty devastated, but I think it is for the best.  I did hope that I would be able to just 'do it' and not let the pain dictate, but I am afraid it DOES dictate, despite my good intentions and determination.