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Today Aaron and Robin levelled out the soil flanking the new fence and cleared away our last items of debris in preparation for building a log store.
The rubbish included the buried bath, now in its last resting place on the Back Drive, before removal to the dump.
I finished reading Barrie Haynes novelette ‘Walking in the Sea’ this morning. The illustrator is Barrie’s young granddaughter whose cover appeared on https://derrickjknight.com/2016/08/05/deadheading/
The blurb accurately describes the essence of this scurrilous romp which would probably, perhaps slightly Bowdlerised, provide the basis of a good TV detective series plot. Written almost entirely in the present tense, with direct, uncomplicated, and amusing prose, the book carries the reader along, keeping its essential secrets to the end. It was certainly easier reading than Jane Austen, its humour requiring rather less work.
I have occasionally mentioned our ongoing battle against invading brambles. This is what happens if we relax for week.
This time I reached over the fence with the long loppers in order to stem the flow at the lowest possible level.
On my way back down the garden I spied The Head Gardener lurking in the shade beside the Dragon’s Bed.
There are two types of crocosmia in this bed. The yellow one did not flower at all last year.
Drowsy bees clambered in and out of the cosmoses.
Here is Florence’s view past the hanging geraniums to Compassion rose climbing across the Dead End Path;
whilst beside the Phantom Path to the left, Margery’s hollyhocks soar aloft.
There are several clumps of Rudbeckia. This one is in the Palm Bed.
At the corner of the Cryptomeria Bed, ornamental grass; petunias, lobelia, and geraniums in hanging baskets; nicotiana; and buddleia stand in line.
We enjoyed a drink in the Rose Garden where Jackie operated the sprinkler, and
a fuchsia leads us past phlox and through the arch beside the hollyhocks featured above.
Jackie’s dinner this evening consisted of pork medallions baked in mustard and brown sugar topped with almond flakes; courgette, tomato and onion gratin; crisp carrots and green beans; boiled new potatoes; and tasty gravy. The Culinary Queen drank Becks and I drank sparkling water.
What a lovely relaxing time in the midst of your flowers. Not even the battle of the week could deter from the beauty of the colours of your garden.
Many thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
I find Jane’s books the easiest of reads so am suspicious of anything easier. 🙂
The photo of the red and yellow crocosmia is a good study of the variety of leaf shapes and colours in your garden.
Many thanks, Mary
Thanks for noticing the two different leaf colours, I am proud of this ‘Solfatare’ Crocosmia, I have waited 2 years for this flower. Now I await the flower on the ‘Emily McKenzie’ in the back drive beds. Crocosmia can be looked down on by some gardeners, but as a lover of colour, I adore them. I also have the earlier flowering ‘Lucifer’ and ‘Masonorium’.
I have the orange one; they do brighten up the garden. I didn’t know that they come in so many varieties! 🙂
The garden is fabulous – but I say that every time I visit – let’s just take it as read shall we? I once had a property which had been taken over by blackberry – it was years of work to get rid of the stuff and at certain times of the year, after a day of chopping back it would put out tendrils like yours overnight! Florence does have a lovely view Derrick – though I feel it would be better enhanced with the addition of an owl…………….. and OMG [and I never say that as a rule] the Head Gardener has turned into a gorgeous flowing orange petunia!! What a neat photo – I feel a painting coming on 🙂
Lovely set of comments, Pauline. Thanks very much. Look to the left of the standing lamp beside the eucalyptus 🙂
Ah, I see her there, as well. Would never have seen Jackie in either of them without zooming in.
Zooming often helps, Jodie. Thank you
“the Head Gardener has turned into a gorgeous flowing orange petunia!!” _ That’s funny!
Thanks, Jodie
I always say it, but it’s the truth your garden is so beautiful. I love the different beds and plantings.
I laughed, too, at the Head Gardener–it does indeed look like she’s become a plant. 🙂
Many thanks, Merril
Oh yes, after considerable hunting and some muttering as well I spotted one of my favourite owls as well hidden as the Head Gardener’s head! 🙂
🙂
Is there some sort of ‘safe’ type of weedkiller you could put on the ends of those brambles?
Thanks, Vicki. We do with those in our own garden, but those hanging over are rooted among Lelandii and are now very thick-stemmed
The garden is beautiful Derrick – very lovely! 🙂
Thank you, Terry
I think I might lurk in the shade of the dragon’s bed as well. It looks lovely. And as for your meal, I wish I could have dropped in with a nice bottle of wine in exchange for some of those pork medallions…
Many thanks, Lisa. That would have been wonderful.
Looking really gorgeous. Love those fuchsias and crocosmia.
Many thanks, Sylvia
The beauty of your garden continues to amaze.
” … are the memories that she made for herself actually what really happened?” The book blurb made me think about how much we depend on family members to validate our memories and fill in the missing pieces. My mother died six years ago. Since then, I’ve found myself wanting to ask her about happenings I can’t remember clearly.
Many thanks, Nicki. Fortunately I can still ask my Mum.
I guess the bench in your last picture is a good place to relax and read books (such as “Walking in the Sea”). We used to have a big fuchsia bush next to our front door when I was a boy, so it’s a plant I’ve always loved. It’d be nice to have one nearby while I read.
Thanks very much, Bun. That’s where Jackie normally sits when we are relaxing together.
It looks a beautiful spot to do it. 🙂
I always come away from your posts with a relaxed mind, a quiet wander through your garden is beautiful, I can envisage the scent of Jasmine or Daphne permeating the air and adding to the experience.
Many thanks, Ian
Love the view from “Florence.” And, oh, that meal!
Thanks, Laurie. Jackie liked that view, too
Another pleasant walk Derrick – you pick the most amazing angles and lighting to emphasis the quiet beauty of your gardens.
Many thanks, Mary