Insectamania

The problem with planting up insect-friendly flowers in one's garden is that one encounters a lot of insects when one goes outside. Take this morning, for instance. Andy was attacked (his words, not mine) by a wasp, a hoverfly and a butterfly. I am not sure whether the words 'attack' and 'butterfly' can be used in the same sentence, especially if the butterfly is the perpetrator of the crime, but that's what Andy said, and I ALWAYS believe EVERYTHING Andy says (!!!!).

And the day before yesterday, when I was making a trip to the compost bin, I was dinged in the forehead by a bumble bee. I don't know who was most stunned, but we both recovered and went about our respective businesses.

For the last few weeks there has been a veritable swarm of bumblebees on the Malarkey lavender. I've counted up to 23 at one time. But this means I've not been able to weed the lavender border, because I don't want to disturb the bees in their activities. I tried to get a hand in on the bindweed the other day, but neither me nor the bumbles were totally happy with the attempt, so I left them, bees and bindweed, to it.

The population of butterflies has increased also. Until a fortnight ago, it was cabbage white, cabbage white, cabbage white. But of late they have been joined by Red Admirals, Blue thingyummy whotsits and tiny little brown and cream frilly things which I can't get close enough to to take a decent photo of for identification purposes. And the hoverflies are very much in evidence, too.

And the ants seem to be having a bumper year, too, both at home and at the allotment.

Oddly, this is the first year for many years that I haven't been bitten by any insects. Touchwood. Usually I've been got at by something at the allotment at least, and various bits of me have swollen up in an 'I'm-allergic-to-insect-bites-pass-the-steroids' kind of way. But this year, for whatever reason, I've been left alone. Perhaps I'm going off in my middle age!! Either that, or the huge amount of Marmite I've been eating is having an effect. Or perhaps I am a la mode in the insect world now I am an official bee-keeper.

On a less than pleasant insect note, Phoebe and Pandora both have ear mites which has necessitated all three Malarkey cats being de-insected for everything from mites to fleas to whatever else insecty-like that enjoys the feel of cat fur between their insect toes. The discovery of ear mites was made on Wednesday when Phoebe had a trip to work with Andy for a blood test. She's been losing weight and drinking more than usual. Her blood sugar levels were fine; we are waiting for the rest of the test results to come back.

Anyway, part of her overall MOT revealed the ear mite problem. Phoebe blamed Pandora for the infestation, being the latest cat to arrive at the Manor; Pandora immediately counter-accused Phoebe because she is the only cat who gets outside into the back garden occasionally.

Tybalt said he didn't know anything, he wasn't there, no-one saw him, you can't accuse me of nuffin' mate.

So, I hearby declare the planting of the bee garden last year as a success. The foxgloves, poppies, morning glory and penstemon have all self-seeded and I shall leave them to do so again this year. The lavender and hollyhocks have established and been nothing short of MAGNIFICENT this year. And the hops? I almost forgot the hops. Last year, very little progress - no flowers, no hops. This year? Yards and yards of growth, masses of flowers and, on closer inspection yesterday morning, tiny hops developing!! I am very much looking forward to harvesting the bines in a few weeks and draping them around the kitchen.

And talking of kitchens, this morning I have foregone my writing time for baking time, because I have a fridge full of allotment produce that needs attention before we go away for the weekend. So, this morning I have made apple and blackberry pie, gooseberry pie, cheese and vegetable flan and soda bread. That should keep Heather the Housesitter happy for the weekend.

I leave you with two thoughts; take your pick, or have both if you fancy.

'If you want to be happy for a year, plant a garden; if you want to be happy for life, plant a tree.'
And, in keeping with the insect theme -

'Happiness is a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may light upon you.'