Six Paddys plus two

Ellesmere hosted six Paddys plus two for a Sunday lunch.

Six Irishmen and women, plus an Australian and an Englishman.

We had drinks under the leafy canopy of one of the Mulberry trees.

We enjoyed four courses and plenty of good wine.

tables set for eight

looking over to the lunch across the pool

ready for the guests to arrive

six Paddys plus one

main course of tandoori chicken, rice and green beans

entrée of two cold soups

lemon posset with raspberries

a mauled cheesboard

All you can say is, "the craic was good!"

The potager coming on

As we move toward mid-July, the crops in the four raised beds are growing prolifically.

And down in the field, the tomatoes are bushing out, as well as reaching upwards.

cucumbers and chillis in near bed, peppers in far bed

a dozen varieties of tomatoes

aubergines, two kinds of basil and chillis in near bed, potatoes in far bed, young lettuces in fruit boxes and roquette gone to seed in the foreground

The flowers at the front of the house have benefitted from nettle juice ...

The strong light of summer and the colours of the garden make this time of year special.