Photo extra

May blossom on the nearby walkway

It is not altogether clear what the question was but the answer has gone done in the history of quotations: "Events, dear boy, events." So spoke the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. describing the unpredictability of politics

Codger, overtaken by seemingly everyday events, has not found the time to pull together the material for this week's planned edition. So, with my apologies, a few photos to show that, Spring is sprung (although with the erratic weather conditions, unsprung might be the better verb!)

Ground elder eradication programme in action

That ground elder!

Before I show you something pretty, here is one event that has scuppered my timing this week - weeding! But not weeding, as you know it. This is ground-elder-blitzkrieg - following every root back and extricating it from the other roots with which it viciously intertwines

Sadly, all this trouble is a self inflicted injury. I once, rather stupidly, put ground elder on the compost heap. I live to regret it!

Camellia

Turning to something more pleasant. Mrs Codger loves blooms that appear two-tone. Moreover, Mr Codger loves camellias - so we are both very happy with this variety

Too cold to go out to check but I believe this variety is scented - somewhat unusual for a camellia - must check tomorrow but I fear that there will be is too strong a wind

Rhubarb!

Epimedium nestling in the shady woodland corner

Not in the same category, I know. But a sneaky reminder that we have some lovely plants looking for a good home! More on fruit and veg next week (held over from this)

Epimedium

I am rather pleased with this result - the first flowering of an epimedium. It is growing in my tiny woodland corner where all the plants are selected for those conditions. Codger finds it really gratifying when the choice works out well

There are a a few dog's tooth violets (erythronium pagoda) also making a showing. I planted the bulbs in the autumn and they are almost in flower - look out in the next edition

Crown imperial

On the patio, away from the shady area, this is another first. Rather showy but rather grand, too, don't you think? A bit of a fling that has paid off

Certainly worthy of its name: fritillaria imperialis! Despite the ten degree drop in temperature I am hoping that we will get the full royal display tomorrow as the blooms open

Violas

Rather more humble, violas have their place. I always think they look to be cheerful souls

They seem to sing!

Blossom has suddenly appeared on the pear

Promise

Sadly, our time is almost up. It has been grim work attacking the ground elder. But looking up I see our pear in blossom. What promise!

And so appropriate for Easter. Despite other pressures (Mrs Codger has not been too well), I try to keep the main focus right as we approach Good Friday. I continue to be fascinated with Luke's account and was struck by the introduction in today's reading in the series of reflections I have been following 

Page 135 of To Seek and To Save

Sinclair Ferguson comments on the remarkable prominence given to the closing week of Jesus' life on earth (see tailpiece) and then, speaking of the reactions of the two thieves crucified with Jesus, makes the following observation:

We know that the law never works grace: punishment does not make us love; in and of itself it may produce regret, but it cannot produce repentance. Only the hope of forgiveness can produce repentance 

Rather than wish my readers a Happy Easter, may I wish you a contemplative one? And an Easter with an open Bible - God's means of bringing the blessings of the Easter message

So, with my best wishes - from the old Garden Codger

Here are Dr Ferguson's comments taken from the page photographed above:

THE TWO CRIMINALS

Luke 23:32, 39-43

The Gospels have sometimes been described as passion narratives with extended introductions. There is an element of truth in this. Luke spends two chapters on the first twelve years of Jesus' life, sixteen chapters on the final three years, and then six chapters on the final week. It is with a view to this week that Jesus lived all previous weeks. So the action is slowed down, frame by frame as it were, to help us to meditate on and take in the significance of what is happening for clearly this part of the Gospel is the key to the whole.

Now Luke devotes two whole chapters to the closing twenty-four hours of Jesus' life. It is with a view to these hours that Jesus has lived all his previous hours.

And here, slowing down even further, Luke devotes five verses to a conversation that may have lasted only a minute or two. But in one sense, it is with a view to what Jesus would accomplish in these few minutes that he lived all previous minutes.

(I might add that I have a spare copy of the book. Don't hesitate to contact me if you would like it. It has forty readings and is wonderful. At least, this old man finds it so)

And, for good measure, one last photo from the shady woodland corner