September 22nd. Here are the first signs of the potatoes and now, apparently, I have to stop watering and start earthing up.

Out of the blue - or grey, rather - we had a great cloudburst and an hour or so of rain. I rushed out with some patio plants - bay tree, gardenia and a ponsettia which I've nursed since last Christmas, hoping the rain will spur them on a bit more.
Below you will see how the trumpet vine has now grown round to the new pergola in just over three months and has started rambling across it. It really is a vigorous plant and its flowers will keep arriving for
another couple of months. D's new cylindrical pot can be seen on the path.