Yesterday's cool, sunny and breezy atmosphere did an about-turn overnight. The skies were overcast and they shed fountains of heavy rain in a steady drum-beat of thunderous waterfall without thunder. My husband, anticipating just that, had mowed the grass at the front and back of the house in the morning. Although we've had more than ample rain this summer we were at the point where we needed rain to avoid using water needlessly to help the grass stay green, something we're reluctant to do.

Yesterday's fierce sun even with milder temperatures not geared to melt us into helpless heaps of sun-struck misery, took their toll on the garden with plants visibly taking to drooping. So the overnight rain was more than welcome. A fine time for rain to come down in any event, guaranteeing non-interference in daytime outdoor activities.

When we emerged from the house this morning before breakfast with our twin trouble-seekers, the rain had spent itself, with just a light sprinkle still in evidence. Jack and Jill are so fastidious about getting their feet wet, they do their utmost to avoid wet grass in the mornings, but this time it just wasn't possible since everything was soaked. They do tend to head right for the overhead protection afforded by the deck with its large space underneath, when it rains.

And, as always after the rain the garden colours seem to glow with an exuberance not seen at any other time. Colours are intensified and achieve shades of evanescent beauty owing to the effect of the moisture bringing out nuances of tint and tone barely hinted at, under dry conditions. The total effect is captivating, and leaves me standing in wonder at the spectacle before us.

Each part of the garden assumes its own pride of showy presentation. It's at times like that when having a camera at hand in an attempt to capture what the eye sees becomes an imperative. Invariably, unfortunately, the photographs are pleasant but the fact always is that what one sees in depth perception and mood is beyond the camera's capacity to emulate.