It's hard to feel summery in the UK

We're having a wet , cool summer in the UK, and it's hard to feel in the summer mood right now.
Over in the USA, my online friends and experiencing temperatures that are too high for comfort. Guests from the USA tell me how lovely it is to be staying in England- "it's too hot at home"!

Anyway whatever the weather, visitors to the beautiful English Lake District can enjoy the scenery. Our guests have all been brilliant, telling me that they love the White Moss walks which you can start at the front door of White Moss House. "All you need is proper waterproofs"

If you're buying waterproofs for hiking, don't go for the cheapest- they really don't work. I love Berghaus, and in fact all my waterproof gear is Berghaus. If you're visiting the home of William Wordsworth, Grasmere Village you can buy your hiking clothes from a wide choice of shops, stocking all makes at a range of prices. Alternatively you can order ahead from amazon.
Here's my choice of the best Berghaus jacket right now for women.

London 2012 Olympics

Here's my own London 2012 Olympic souvenir.The Olympic torch on the top of an open air bus going past our house, White Moss House, (award winning Grasmere bed and breakfast!)

For more conventional London 2012 Olympic Souvenirs you might like The Best London 2012 Olympic Souvenirs. I've picked my favourites.

It's less than four weeks now to the Olympic Games. Are we all getting excited? We've left our flags up from the Jubilee and hope to have lots of celebrate!

Anyone for weeding?

I took up the challenge from Squidoo to write a "weird" lens.
I've written about how I love to weed! I hate housework, but put me in the garden with a hoe and I'm happy as Larry ( whatever that means).

See what you think.by taking a look at "I love weeding. Is that weird?"

Here in the English Lake District we're waiting for the Olympic Torch to come through today. It's going right past us at White Moss House, though for our bit the Olympic Torch will be on a bus, not on foot. I'm told the whole procession is huge and noisy, so I'll be outside with my camera.

With the London 2012 Olympics getting closer, I've picked The best Olympic Souvenirs.. No tat- just a few classy things that I'd like to keep. Here's my favourite

London 2012 Olympics.

On Thursday, 21 June, the Olympic Torch comes through the Lake District. It stops in Grasmere, then comes right past our house- not on foot, but on the top of an open bus. Stand by for photos!

I've you're thinking of buying London 2012 Olympic Souvenirs I've got some great ideas about the classiest Olympic 2012 souvenirs.

I'll be telling you more about my top Olympic souvenirs in th e weeks to come, but I think my top choice is the 2012 London Bus.

UK readers can buy the London 2012 bus here from amazon.co.uk

Now the Jubilee is over it's time for tennis

The French Open at Roland Garros is reaching its climax.
Next week it's the Queens Tennis on grass in west London. The Wimbledon will be next.

This is really exciting for tennis fans.
I've got a great page on Squidoo with photos I've taken, plus tips on how to look like a top tennis player. You do know that if you have the right clothing you'll play better, don't you?

Here's a great picture of one of my favourite Jo Wilfred Tsonga, who is about to take on Novak Djokvic right now in Paris.

Tsonga at Queens June 2011

Borage, lovage and sorrel

Herbs are a hot topic right now, as it's time to plant out your gardens for summer, and now is the best time to plant or sow herbs from scratch.
For those of you not near a good supplier of herbs, you can do mail order. In the USA amazon has a great selection of herbs and plants which you can by clicking through this link for herb plants and seeds I never thought about buying herbs and plants from amazon, though I would always look there for DVDs, Music, books etc. UK readers can also buy herb plants and seeds from Amazon.co.uk through this link.

On Squidoo lots of visitors are enjoying my herb lenses. Lovage and Sorrel are very popular, probably because they are slightly unusual herbs. If you don't grow herbs, then you should think about starting, however little space you have.
To get you started, read 10 Reasons to Grow Herbs, my newest herb lens which won a Purple Star.
I'll be writing more on my garden blog soon. It's been neglected lately. The only blog I've been writing full time is my White Moss House, Grasmere Bed and Breakfast blog. Take a look for all the news about the Jubilee, and what's going on at your favourite Lake District bed and breakfast.

Writing about herbs again.

Given a challenge to write and new lens for Squidoo that would possibly get a purple star and would have a time on the home page, I went for 10 Reasons to grow herbs.

I'm really happy with this webpage. It looks good, and has lots of great ideas and suggestions.

Herbs in a pot at White Moss House Grasmere

One reason is that they look so good. Here's a pot of mine from 2011 of purple leaved basil, dill, busy lizzies and lobelia.  Lots more ideas on 10 reasons to grow herbs