This morning I got a little carried away with my morning sky photos. At last a clear morning and a blue sky. The only marks were the trails from the planes flying overhead. Perhaps some were from the planes landing and taking off from Zürich airport, about 100 kilometres from where I live. It really is a wonderful display to wake you up. Even the sun made an appearance between the trees.

Roschti the neighbour’s cat was on his way. He did not even have time to stop for a treat. There must have been something more important in the neighbourhood.

I spent yesterday afternoon outside on the porch with my computer. The weather was too good to stay indoors. I was collecting some photos for today when this guy landed just in front of me with a thump. I think he is a so-called rose chafer, although he was busy examining my orchids outsdie on the table. He was very obliging and stayed awhile for a few photos.

He took a stroll across the table and eventually flew of to other pastures.

It also seems the wasps are appearing, probably searching for some grapes. I notice they also eat meat when we eat outside. We no longer eat so much outside, although I would every day. Mr. Swiss has become sensitive to the cooler air (when it is cool) and avoids draughts which are actually only summer breezes. However, everyone to his own and getting older brings its problems with it I suppose.

Another wasp arrived and I think they were discussing who should move to one side to allow the other to pass.

Life is gradually coming into the insect world. After all the rain we had they are awakening and making the most of the scenery. I saw an interesting programme on the BBC TV yesterday, “Gardeners World”. Actually I watch it every week when it is on the TV. They were forced to make a pause due to Wimbledon matches of tennis. Yesterday they were examining the slug problem amongst others. The guy in charge of the programme eventually summed it up, that even a slug has it use. They are the cleaners of the insect world and dispose of the rubbish underground. Of course they also nibble on the plants with their 2-300 teeth, but it seems we should leave them to do their own thing, they also have their purpose. The programme guy even admitted that the damage they do to the hosta leaves is not ideal and annoys him as well, but we should just remove the slugs (when we find them) and above all not poisen them with pellets. I must admit I am one of the guilty parties here, but it seems the pellets also kill other inhabitants of the garden. I have now decided to no longer apply the pellets and just keep an eye on the slugs. The British slugs are much more interesting than mine with spotted designs on their skin. I only get the plain brown slimy ones. There is even one slug in England that kills other slugs and really can be quite useful to decimate the slug population. I look on the whole slug invasion now with other eyes. “Be kind to your slugs” is the new motto.

Today is a day at home, pehaps I might meet some insects during the day. The week-end has arrived again, so enjoy it.

My bellflowers are now opening their buds. I have had them for a few years and they never fail to disappoint, growing a little taller every year.