Back yard in bloom

Not the most beautiful of yards, but at least it's better than either neighbours!

Summer shows: The good, the bad, the ugly...

We didn't manage to get to many shows last year, Kalina arriving in July put a block on that. But this year we have turned out to a few, although we missed our favourites at Great Eccleston and Todmorden.

Plum tweaking wearing a fascinator, how the Cheshire Set live.

Finally got to go to Cheshire Show and what a let down it was. From the 40 minute queue to get in, the clueless parking people who had no idea how to direct cars, the soggy fields (despite three days of dry weather), the masses of non-farming types, the horses... not impressed.

Emley was a first and a good one. We'd heard lots about this one and it didn't disappoint. Great views from the top, some good sheep and goats, cattle, jousting, stalls, produce... My only criticism is there were too many people for the space available and there wasn't really anywhere to sit. Still, probably try again next year.

The winning vegetable display or, as Agnieszka put it, a stew. 

Halifax was our last one for the summer. A good one, despite me forgetting to collect the two sourdough loaves I bought when we got there. A real mix of fun fair, stalls and livestock. Although why you weren't allowed to walk in the cattle tent I don't know.

Next year we're hoping to try and get to Leek, somewhere a bit different. Other suggestions welcome.