A north wind gusting at 25+ m.p.h. took the heat out of a gloriously sunny morning.
Early on there was a distinct, or should I say, indistinct, flurry of activity around the bird table, particularly as the parent starlings were feeding themselves for a change. These shots were taken through the window because I didn’t want to startle them. 
The ring-necked dove had to wait its turn,
and spent some time admiring the poppy.
A blackbird preferred to contemplate the possibility of a frog for breakfast.
Now, it is all very well for me to introduce you to close-ups of our many garden plants, such as
this newly flowering rhododendron,
or this delicate iris
but that does not give much go an idea of what it is like to amble along our reclaimed paths. So, come along with me, down
The Head Gardener’s Path, which did not exist last year;
The Shady Path, so named because it was then completely devoid of sunshine,
and which, round the bend, leads to the chimney pot at Fiveways, where five paths merge.
This side path links The Shady Path with
The Pergola Path.
The other main thoroughfare is the Agriframes Arch Path.
Anyone who followed last year’s labours will know that there are more routes in the tour, which will be resumed in a day or two. The numerous solar lights in evidence illuminate a veritable fairyland at night.
After this I took a short walk up Hordle Lane where
blackberry blossom blooms,
and buttercups ramble among ragged robins.
We had two brief shopping trips, either side of ‘Bargain Hunt’. The first was to the pharmacy in Milford to collect a prescription; the second to Ferndene Farm Shop for three bags of compost and, of course, while we were there, half a dozen verbena plants. I am assured that we needed them, and who am I to argue?
This evening’s dinner comprised a pork rib rack marinaded in barbecue sauce; roasted peppers and onions, boiled rice, and green beans.(I refuse to use the abbreviated abomination BBQ, but you can tell it is getting to me when you know I almost typed barbeque). I drank more of the cabernet sauvignon, and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.
Lovely clicks….
Thank you Chitra
Your garden is lush and gorgeous!
Thank you Elena
Looking good…like a botanic garden. I keep wondering if you will run out of flowers to photograph but they keep coming; I’m glad. I don’t have a flower garden as such so I can only enjoy other people’s flowers 🙂
Think I’m needing a garden map!
Thank you John. I’ll see what the head gardener can do
Oh thank you for sharing! Such a beautiful garden arrangement!
Thank you Gary
I think you must begin to refer to your garden as a ‘Park’ – it outdoes many I ramble through here! The paths are beautiful as of course are the surrounds – congrats to the head gardener for her amazing work.
Many thanks Pauline. Head gardener says ‘Aaaah, lovely’
A wonderland! What is that amazing blue flowering plant in the photo of the blackbird and frog?
Thank you Bruce. Pansies actually – they really are that colour.
I’m prepared to plant only pansies if I can have that colour. My favourite colour, and shade of it, in the whole world.
I’m pleased I chose to keep them in
What a beautiful garden! I really love all of the paths and little nooks and crannies filled with so many wonderful flowers. It looks like a wonderful place to spend a sunny day.
Thank you Matt
I guess they had to go with BBQ as I’m pretty sure BBC is taken😀 The garden looks great.
Thank you steVe. I like the BBC joke
The garden is marvelous. I particularly like Pergola and Agriframes Arch paths. Then again, you leave the garden and see more marvelous stuff!
Thank you Lisa
What a beautiful garden you have. I love all those different pathways…clever designing😉
Thank you Jenny
What a pleasure it must be to pick a route and amble. amble. Congrats to the head gardener and her helper – worth all the work! It’s beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
I wonder where is there space for the verbana plants? Hopefully lemon verbana – then you can pop some leaves in some tea (green, rooibos, etc.).
Thank you Rob. I expect the verbenas will end up somewhere around head height.
How lovely. A perfect garden to sit down with a book. But we appreciate that it requires a lot of work to make it look so good.
Thank you both
How beautiful and enjoyable flower photos! They delighted my day. Thank You.
Many thanks Sartenada
Beautiful, I envy your lovely garden…
Thank you Julie
Whata refreshement–especially after some days of difficulty in my place and time (as you know). I am thus enchanted by your garden, a place of hard work and pleasure, it seems clear! The photos are lush and inviting. The one of the pidgeon with the red poppy is a wonder. Well, I have covered lots of superlatives, but all meant. Looking forward to more!
What a refreshment–especially after some days of difficulty in my place and time (as you know). I am thus enchanted by your unusual garden, a place of hard work and pleasure, it seems clear! The photos are lush and inviting. The one of the pidgeon with red poppy is a wonder. Well, I have covered a few superlatives, but all meant. Looking forward to more!
Many thanks Cynthia
Your garden is like walking in the fairy tales 🙂
Thank you Anna. It really is, especially when all the solar lights come on at night