I felt the need for a little utilatarian whimsy today. Searched through a pile of discarded timber and found just what I was looking for- of the right length and width of timber. I then fashioned out of this off cut, a washing paddle similar to the old antique ones. After shaping, drilling a hole for hanging  and then sanding the rough edges, I gave it a coat of tung oil and now it hangs in the laundry, looking right at home with the other laundry tools. More importantly it functions really well, in a way an oar would as it creates tension and current in a body of water. 

everything in the garden is winding down now, as the trees shed their leaves, the last of the roses are abloom, parsley is going the seed as are other herbs and vegetables. Dried and shrivelled, the artichoke flowers still stand stoic in their weathered and sculptural beauty.