Some relief from the heat wave that has struck this area, with a high of 33-degrees Celsius on Saturday, and almost as hot on Sunday, following Friday's simmering heat.  This day the high is set for 20 degrees, quite a difference.  And last night's heavy, constant rainfall was most welcome.

We're into the garden's spring succession of flowering perennials.  There's more, plenty more to come, but the munificently gorgeous magnolia blossoms are still on the trees, joined now by the flowering crabs, now in full bloom.

Everything, when we ventured out this morning after breakfast, is covered with a generous layer of dew-like drops.  There is a transcendental quality to all growing, blooming, blossoming creatures of the garden.

From the flowering peas, to the holly, the Japanese quince with its bright orange blooms, the tree peonies with their luscious, large flowerheads, and the spirea with its delicate, dainty clusters of lacy white, and the heady fragrance of the newly-flowering lilies-of-the-valley, the garden has been transformed.

The re-awakening of life springing from the winter-bound soil lifts our spirits as it cannot help but do, as we look forward to other, additional and ongoing revelations throughout the growing season, bringing colourful cheer, suspense and awe to the gardener's heart.