A brief foray into Summer

And then it was Summer.

No slowly easing into Spring by getting gradually warmer day by day.

No shedding your warm Winter coat for a lighter one, then switching to a Spring jacket until finally, one day in late May perhaps, you're leaving the house wearing just a cardigan, returning home bare armed, the sun caressing bits of skin which haven't seen the light of day for months.

Not this year! No, April, fickle and cruel at the best of times, pulled off the worst April Fools' joke of all by letting us believe it was June already, then making a U-turn back to Mid-March.

The garden's the jungle it usually only becomes in June, but still with the fresh greens of early Spring.

Plants which were late as a result of the long and harsh Winter seemed to have caught up overnight and people were already flocking to garden centres, prematurely stocking up on Summer annuals. Look at them all shivering in window boxes and hanging baskets, poor things!

Yes, Dove Cottage has a tiny pond, a.k.a. Phoebe's giant drinking bowl

But I'm digressing, as I still have to tell you about last weekend and the warm Summer days that came before it.

I've been persevering with the wearing of my Summer skirts and the mixing of floral prints. 

The starting point of this outfit was an off-white skirt, which was next in line and hanging ready for wear. Its red and yellow flower print prompted my choice of a blouse. That, and the fact that the blouse's cool and lightweight fabric was just perfect for a sweltering day at the office.

It is sprinkled with small flowers in many hues, and there's pale yellow piping at the collar, sleeves, yoke and button placket, and I dare anyone not to sigh a happy sigh at the sight of it.

Accessorized with a red belt, mother-of-pearl flower posy brooch, white plastic ring and ivory coloured necklace, I felt on top of the world that day.

As a bonus, the midi length of the skirt was ideal for going tights-less for the first time as they weren't revealing too much of my still far too pale legs. 

Saturday was another scorcher which we sought shelter from in a leafy nearby park, where we picnicked and went for a short walk.

Nothing too strenuous as I'd suffered a slipped disc in my lower back earlier in the week. After a day or two of hobbling around painfully things had started to improve, but I didn't want to jinx the weekend away we have booked for ... tomorrow! 

The sight of the wooden bridge, with the lush grass dotted by bluebells and cow parsley reflected in the water, a view reminiscent of the Monet painting but minus the Water Lilies, made my heart sing with happiness.

I didn't really need the blue vintage jacket I was wearing, but I loved the contrast with the yellow of my frock so, after posing on the bridge, it was swiftly removed.

In addition to the butterfly I'd pinned to the jacket, there were quite a few real life ones flitting among the wildflowers and gorging on their life-giving nectar.

The quietness of our surroundings was suddenly broken by a gaggle of ducklings and their parents, Mum and Dad having their work cut out keeping their little flock in check.

The enchanting play area was devoid of any children, so I made myself at home in this natural wigwam, complete with tree trunk seats.

The dress I picked was charity shopped last Winter, and this was its first wear. I took the lead from the colours of the flower print by adding an orange plastic ring and chunky necklace, while the blue bits were repeated in my belt. 

The shoes were a bargain from last Summer's sales. They are flat-heeled and comfortable to wear and its closed toes saved me the bother of painting my toenails. As they are quite open at the sides, I ended up with my shoes full of bits of twigs and last year's leaves.

Fortified in body and soul, we then made our weekly trip to the charity shops.

Another remnant of the Retro Day, this vintage portable water heater cost us all of € 2,50. 

I can't remember the price of Jos's Donegal Tweed cap, but isn't the shop logo wonderful? 

We also picked up two cushions for our garden chairs, paying € 1 for the two.

These all came from our most local shop: two brightly printed chiffon scarves, a vintage apron with the most glorious of prints and a new-to-me jacket.

As I'm typing, temperatures have plummeted dramatically, and I had to dig out one of my Winter coats to wear on our extended weekend break.

Leaving you now with some garden views from better - or at least warmer! - times.

Linking to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style!