Sunny days are here again!
After what felt like weeks of endless rain, recent weather has been sunny and warm.
The result is that the garden and grounds around Appletree Self Catering Cottage, Loch Lomond are particularly lush and verdant. After their winter hibernation, the grass, trees and shrubs have all leapt into action.
The effect is a rich variety of flowers and foliage all around the cottage.
Tall fox gloves greet visitors at the gate as they arrive in the cottage drive. The lawn has now had several cuts this season and is looking good. The new beech hedge is temporarily challenged by competing plants and will require organisation soon.
Over in the rockery side of the garden, the rhododendron bush continues to bloom whilst the crocosmia and other summer bulbs await their turn between the ferns.
Looking back across the front lawn towards the quiet single-track backroad with its occasional walkers and cyclists, the ancient oaks tower above the green hawthorn hedge, with brambles and wild roses working on their fruit for the autumn months. The gardens around Appletree are large compared to many other self-catering cottages around Loch Lomond. The old barn with its recently refurbished red roof is believed to have been around since the seventeen hundreds.
Walking around the side of the cottage we see young apples forming on the Scottish variety Maggie Sinclair appletree. We're hoping for a good crop of apples this year in our orchards as we produce apple juice and jellies which we sell at local shops and markets.
The side lawn is looking good too, and the table, chairs and umbrella are all in place in expectation of further fine weather for alfresco dining. The cottage has now taken on a natural greying since its construction in 2016, and blends well into the surrounding landscape.
The view south from the patio is all very green at the moment. In the far distance are the Kilpatrick Hills and the famous rock formation of the Whangie. Through the distant trees the alternative pedestrian route for the John Muir Way winds its way from Carbeth to Wester Cameron and Caldarvan Station. In between lies the Cattermuir Burn and Cameron Muir - a wild and lonely heathland.
Even on the damper days, the view from the lounge window never disappoint, with a clear three mile vista across open and unspoiled countryside.