Hampton Court Flower Show - 11

For our final visit to the flower show we have a photo of some chrysanthemums.



It is amazing how nurserymen manage to grow flowers in new and exiting colours and how they can get plants to come to perfection at times other than their usual season.

On Monday we shall start a grand tour of one of our great English Cathedral Cities - Durham.

Feast of the Transfiguration

On this glorious Feast Day, we have a photo looking towards the sunrise over Wideford hill from Finstown, Orkney.



Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ the true, the only Light,
Sun of Righteousness, arise!
Triumph o'er the shades of night:
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Daystar, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
unaccompanied by thee;
joyless is the day's return,
till thy mercy's beams I see,
till they inward light impart,
glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit then this soul of mine!
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief!
Fill me, Radiancy Divine;
scatter all my unbelief;
more and more thyself display,
shining to the perfect day.

Charles Wesley, 1740



Happy Feast!

Hampton Court Flower Show - 10

Here we see some prize-medal Pelargoniums.



Again, I have decided not to show you a photo of the geraniums growing in my conservatory at home - they would not win any medals!

Hampton Court Flower Show - 9

Here we see a magnificent display of prize medal Alstroemeria.



This flower, which is often referred to as the Peruvian Lily, has grown in popularity in recent years. It is an excellent flower for the vase and has the advantage of being long-lasting. I grow the flowers in my own garden - but I am not including a photo of them - they were all yellow!

Hampton Court Flower Show - 8

Here we see Misty Lemon a prize-winnig chrysanthemum.



Plant breeders spend many patient years trying to get their blooms looking so good.

Hampton Court Flower Show - 7

Here we see a prize winning lily.



I attended the flower show on the Saturday (the penultimate day). I am told that the displays looked even more impressive at the Gala Opening on the Monday evening. I hope they did! Tickets cost £50 per person for the evening.

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Here we see a wealthy farmer getting help to build a really big barn to store all his grain! In today's Gospel we hear Jesus tell us a parable based on this type of event.



All my hope on God is founded;
he doth still my trust renew,
me through change and chance he guideth,
only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.

Pride of man and earthly glory,
sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
tower and temple fall to dust.
But God's power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.

God's great goodness aye endureth,
deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light and life attend him,
beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
newborn worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth the almighty Giver
bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.

Still from man to God eternal
sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
for the gift of Christ, his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.

Robert Bridges (1844-1930)



Happy Sunday!