How long is ten minutes? A lot longer than what the clock says, if our experience is anything to go by. We finally purchased some outside furniture for the two porches, well timed as these things are now being remaindered at bargain prices. However, a table and six chairs were flatpacked in three large cartons (the largest of which weighed 200lb). Getting them home was something of a struggle. The weekend was dedicated to assembling them. The table came with the happy news that it would take ten minutes to assemble. Two hours and much perspiration later, we were complete. Putting together all of the items (including two lounger chairs and two small side tables) took most of the waking hours of the weekend. At least now we are set up for an enjoyable outside life. Especially as we are right on the point of confirming the order for construction of the swimming pool.
Outside, the forest continues to do forest things. One morning, I found a widespread scattering of little green-yellow flower buds – about a quarter inch large. Very strange, there were no flowering trees about. It turned out they were from a couple of sourwood trees, which have masses of tight flower clusters at the very top of the tree (30 feet up) which are largely hidden by leaves below. The flowers are a big attraction for honey bees, who really go for them. Sourwood hioney is something of a speciality hereabouts. We see occasional examples of the wildflowers for which we scattered an incredible number of seeds – not a great return on effort yet! Some of the flowers in the planter bed act as an attraction for hummingbirds, though they usually prefer the brightly coloured bird feeders full with sugary water. The weather has reverted to hot, humid and rainless. So, more work for me, watering at dusk. We had a particularly good sunset on Saturday due to weather conditions.