Holy Hollyhocks

In keeping with tradition we have just spent a week in the Loire with friends who generously invite us to stay with them every year. Last year we went at the beginning of July, poppy season. This year, only a few weeks later the poppies were mostly gone but the hollyhocks were there in abundance. 

One evening as we cycled to the nearest village to buy some groceries we passed a long stretch of hollyhocks bordering the river Vienne. Of course I stopped to admire them and the view.

Beautiful tall and elegant flowers in various shades of pink, white and purple. 

From close up they're lovely too.

Hollyhocks weren't the only flowers though!