We have a hose pipe ban in London and other areas of the UK. Since this was brought in earlier this month it has rained almost every day. This is good for the garden and everything looks really green and fresh.

I have some beautiful tulips  in containers outside, but I’ve picked some and have them in the house with the idea of painting them. Their names are very exotic – purple Havran; sophisticated red- crimson Couleur Cardinal with elegant blue silver leaves; Helmar  – straight out of a Dutch still life; Angelique, feminine and pink like a party frock; Bruine Wimpel- brandy snap brown and Antraciet, magenta – crimson peony flowered.