I have mostly been in the cities over your way in the summertime – not nearly as good an experience, I am sure, as the climate where you have the luxury of a garden.

I did spend some time in Pennsylvania one summer though – golden doesn’t do it justice. My turn to be envious.

Summer can be a gamble in England – sensational at its best but it can be disappointing too with rain in August – more than you would want.

Am I just trying to make you feel good? A little bit!

Here in the South, we are pretty lucky. Last summer I could lie out in that back yard and get pretty hot.

As for camellias, rosemary and lavender, well I am amazed they are a problem for you. They are really easy to grow here.

Tomatoes? hmmmm…….should I stop now before you cry?

I did lose , I think, the least hardy of the passion flowers last winter to a sharp frost though, it was an experiment and only one stem now has any green on it.

Between us,I guess we even out our the advantages and disadvantages.

At least La Traviata grows well with you….the Met. has a proud record celebrating the lady of the camellias..you have had all the great ones over the years.

I am selfishly looking forward to increased global warming so I can finally grow a proper rosemary.

On the other hand, my summers are sunny and hot and I raise knockout tomatoes, so there.