Today was St Swithun’s Day and according to the rhyme…….
St Swithun’s day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St Swithun’s day if thou be fair
For forty days ’twill rain nae mare
……we should be enjoying 40 more days of sunshine, in this neck of the woods anyway, I hope so in your neck of the woods too!
This was the last day of my Hb’s holidays and we decided to pay a visit to the Rose Garden at Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park in Belfast. This is Rose Week at the gardens and there are lots of events taking place including the rose trials when the roses are judged. I wouldn’t like to be a judge as how anyone could possibly pick one above the other, I don’t know!!!
There are thousands of roses and this year they are particularly beautiful because there hasn’t been the usual rain to destroy them. So many years when we have visited the poor flowers were fading before they had even opened up but not this year.
There was even a harpist to serenade us as we walked around! Sunshine, roses, a beautiful scent in the air and harp music, pretty perfect, don’t you think!
So a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon, now I’m looking forward to the next 40 days of sunshine!!
Have a great week! 🙂
Green Rabbit Designs 
July 16, 2013 at 09:12
The roses look beautiful Vivienne, I can almost smell the sweet scent and how lovely to hear sweet music too. Glad you had a good week off, probably the best weather spell we have had for some time, lets enjoy whilst it lasts 🙂 x
July 16, 2013 at 09:24
Good morning Vivienne what a wonderful end to your Hb’s time off. The roses look just stunning in the sunshine…I can almost smell them from here. 40 days more sunshine…woop woop…mind you I am not sure my lawn would agree as it already looks like hay ;0) It’s steaming here already, I am heading outside in a mo. Have a lovely day, Jane x
July 16, 2013 at 09:33
Is there anything more beautiful than roses? Lovely pics
July 16, 2013 at 10:01
Truly stunning roses, Vivienne. I popped to the garden centre on Saturday in the hope of buying one (or two) for our garden, but I couldn’t decide, as they were all beautiful. I’ll take Violet with me next time, she’s very decisive and I’ll know we’ll come away with something just right.
I’ll drink to 40 days of this fantastic sunshine – cheers!
It’s pretty hot here already today. I’m off into Violet’s school later to help out. Unfortunately, it’s always like an oven in there.
Have a lovely day. x
July 16, 2013 at 10:33
beautiful rose photos…I haven’t been to Lady Dixons since my son was small and we went to the playground. I must take a run over. Hope you are right about the 40 days,
July 16, 2013 at 14:31
Amazing roses!! I’m glad you had good weather this year for photos.
Here’s to more flowers and sunny days.My grandparents always had roses in their garden.
Thanks, Vivienne.
Anne x
PlumCreek
July 16, 2013 at 20:29
They’re all gorgeous but the rose in that last image is achingly beautiful Vivienne, thank you so much for sharing these 🙂
July 16, 2013 at 21:01
Oh, Gosh! The roses are just STUNNING! What a lovely end to your lovely, holiday time. Yes! I agree with all – Thank you for sharing!
July 17, 2013 at 15:31
So pretty! We love our rose garden that is just up the road – Roses are so splendid and even more when you don’t have to take care of them 🙂
July 18, 2013 at 23:03
The roses look superb. Hope you are right about the 40 days. I’m taking time off work next week and would love to be able to sit in my garden and look at my flowers. I’ve no roses though.
Thank you for sharing your lovely roses.
S xx
July 19, 2013 at 10:50
So many gorgeous roses, Vivienne! I would love to visit there……I can just imagine the delicious scent! Thank you for the lovely pictures 🙂
Helen x
July 19, 2013 at 14:03
Beautiful roses! I am always drawn to creamy white ones. x
July 23, 2013 at 10:42
The roses are beautiful and you have photographed them in all their glory.
Great pictures!
Margaret x.