While spring cleaning the garden

I couldnt quite believe the beauty of the epimedium leaves, they looked as if they were cast in bronze or glass with the sun gleaming through from behind. The fritillaries are flourishing, and the tulipa turkestiana surprise me every year. I always forget they are that tulip variety and dont expect the open flowers and a sunny centre!

And another discovery, deep behind the holly tree and among blackberry thorns and ivies........I came across this beauty, rambling over the fence. Down on the main road is the old house where the school teacher used to live, and their garden adjoins ours. The last owner was knowledgeable about gardens and liked plants, and I believe this is an akebia quinata or chocolate vine, but I couldnt detect any perfume.

The leaves of the acanthus didnt die off this winter, and the new growth is lush and vivid. It reminds me of sea lettuce or whatever that colour seaweed is called.

I am part of a loose knit group of "ladies who lunch" on a Wednesday (market day) in a small tea room on the old road through Dorchester, known as High West Street. Today there is a bypass around the town, but until recently it was still the main thoroughfare - and old coaching road and Roman road - on the road the Exeter and the South West. Its an old building, dating from 1640 I think, and the layout is still just like the old domestic house. You walk through a hallway and this room is on the right, go through the hall to a back room that is larger. Its like having tea in someone's house.

It only has a small menu on offer, which includes things like Welsh Rarebit, (cheese on toast!) and always a delicious home made soup with crusty roll. This day it was broccoli, Stilton and spinach soup. Mmmmm. I like to sit in the window and gaze at people going by. They open on Sundays for a traditional Sunday roast lunch. There is always a lovely display in the bay window at Easter time, and you can see on the table that there is a seasonal snack on offer. Hot cross buns. The place is so English!

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable Easter weekend. I am off to Glastonbury for the day, for some spiritual refreshment - as well as retail therapy and a nice lunch I hope!

Happy Easter.