First Orchid of the Year

 

First one

Then another

And then a whole host

The marsh orchids have arrived in the Pentland Hills. I love these plants, but not in an Agatha Christie way.  Most likely these are Heath Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza maculats although they may be Broad-leaved Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza majalis or a mixture.  I don't feel the need to rush to  nail the naming. Just now I am enjoying their reappearance  (The land where they grow was severely churned up by heavy machinery.  Just possibly this activity was a conservation measure carried out with approval from the relevant conservation body -  but I was worried they would disappear)

Bottling Summer

 

This year I am trying elderflower cordial. I have made elderflower champagne before but this is a lot faster and less involved.  It captures the essence of the flower, without making a song and dance of it.  Currently picking gooseberries which are enhanced by a good glug of this.