Dreaming of snowdrops.

Dreaming of snowdrops in the heat.

A hot summer in Somerset West.

‘To appreciate a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.’ Aristotle

Last night I watched the final programme of ‘Monty Don’s Adriatic Gardens.’ I have a real crush on Monty Don, as does every other person who loves someone who loves gardens so passionately. The series will be watched again and again, as I still return to the programmes he filmed on French and Italian gardens. In truth, one of the few things that still give me hope in life, is visiting those gardens. European gardens are romantic.

Ending in Greece, the feint sheen of sweat under the mid-day sun, did not escape me. Greece and her Islands can get very, very hot (and very cold in winter), with little rain and surviving some of the hottest days in summer, is challenging for both man and plant.

I am withering in the heat of the Western Cape at the moment. Sitting outside, which was cooler out than in, at 9pm last night, the temperature dropped from 39 degrees to 28 degrees. Cannot remember being so hot and sweaty, cranky too. Well spotted, I have never been a great fan of air-conditioners in my home, and now regret not having one.

Truly mad, is talking to my daughter in London. Cold, very cold, foggy and grey. I would give anything right now to feel chilly instead of combusting at eight this morning. I long for snowdrops and a biting chill - did Aristotle really say this, I am beginning to wonder? Were there snowdrops in Greece, back then? Am I beginning to question everything right now?

Finding it difficult to step out into my little scrap of a garden here. Those gardens are inspiring, made deep in beds of rock and gnarled earth. Olive trees standing the test of time and extreme weather conditions. It is a life’s work, a commitment to creating spaces of beauty that will live forever and suddenly found myself, a total non contributor in every way. I do urge you to watch it. It is blatantly clear to me this morning that I need a vision, an epiphany, a cause.

Wilting yet again, I must say the Agapanthus, Gaura and Lavender are looking pert and pretty in my tiny garden. The English roses will take a beating, the Ice berg roses droop, but for now the sound of bees and spotting of butterflies lifts the spirits - a tad. I have never seen ice melt so fast.

Shall be thinking of snowdrops all day.

Image: Yoxel at Unsplash