I began the day by watching a recording of the England v. Australia match in the Rugby World Cup. In case there is any rugby fan in either hemisphere who is yet to watch it, I will say no more.
Encouraged by yet another warm, sunny, day, Jackie began work on clearing, and settling down for winter, the bed between the Heligan and Phantom Paths. We will call it The Unidentified Fir Bed, in honour of the large evergreen that enhances it. My contribution was to gather up and shift the debris to the respective compost and combustible heaps; to dig out a tree peony that encroached upon the Heligan Path; and to rake up fallen leaves from the gravel.
In addition to releasing a number of choked plants that had not seen the light of day for a year or two, Jackie discovered another row of large rocks, and a length of perished buried hose from an ancient irrigation system.
This afternoon, deciding to dig over the exposed ground, she found much rubble therein. I, oblivious of this added difficulty, watched TV rugby matches between Argentina and Tonga, and between Ireland and Italy.
Elsewhere in the garden this morning I had discovered yet another owl perched on a stump,
and the aerator acquired from the dump yesterday piercing the grass patch. The pheasant and kiwi didn’t look impressed.
One of Margery’s hollyhocks still stands sentinel to the left of this scene.
Today’s bouquet of roses includes
Laura Ford,
Festive Jewel,
and Absolutely Fabulous.
Butterflies like this well camouflaged Speckled Wood (thanks to Paul Clarke for pointing out that this is not a Wall Brown) have not yet given up,
neither have the slurping bees.
This evening we dined on cod in mornay sauce with broccoli florets; and crisp carrots, cauliflower and cabbage. We both drank Cimarosa Pedro Jimenez 2014.
I think the unidentified fir bed is a metaphor for how I’m feeling – stomach full of rubble and and old rotting rubber tubing wrapped round my hopes… Boo bloody hoo! I will now have to become Welsh, heaven forbid…
Just what I was thinking, Geoff
Derrick, you may not wish to get an award nomination but I wanted to let you know that I wrote a post coming out soon with 10 people nominated for a Premios Dardos award.
As far as this lovely collection of photographs I like the pheasant and the kiwi. With Robin as my name, I have collected feathers, stories about birds, plus a few fine ceramic and porcelain ones. 🙂
Your photo of a bee with flower does m as ke me think it is “drunk” with nectar. The butterfly is pretty, almost like a moth in coloring but not in body. Interesting added bonuses in every post.
My favorite flowers are usually “weeds” but yours and Jackie’s are beautiful indeed. My favorite is a peach colored one which I think you called “Fabulous!” I agree.
Many thanks, Reo. I am always honoured to get an award nomination, but I find I can’t satisfy the requirements because of the time taken to produce a daily post and respond to all comments.
The butterfly (fine photo, I must say) is a Speckled Wood, not a Wall Brown.
Thanks, Paul. I should have known that. Amending now.
Do bees suffer from allergies? Google doesn’t know, so maybe the experts don’t know either. However, I did find out that bees don’t sneeze because they don’t have a nose or nasal passages. Lucky bees. 🙂
Thank you Johnna
I do love to see the resident wild life that dots the garden. Good to see the local icon has made it too. I am eyeing up many sculptures and wall hangings for my made over courtyard, so much to choose from nowadays!
Thank you, Pauline. Will we get to see pics of your courtyard?
You will indeed Derrick – the Official Photographer is snapping away as mayhem becomes chaos and chaos [eventually I hope] becomes order …….
That garden is really blooming well. I love the butterfly.
Thanks, John
The garden is looking great! And it is a very sensible move to be watching the tellie while rubble is being uncovered in the borders 🙂
Thanks, Matt
As my mother-in-law was Japanese we’re enjoying the Rugby World Cup t the moment! 😉 Great pictures again!
Thanks, Quercus. At least we have a kiwi daughter-in-law
Always handy to have a back-up position. 😉
🙂
It goes almost without saying that the roses are gorgeous….but I’m a great lover of the nasturtium, as in your first photo…..
Thanks, Cynthia. The nasturtiums have had a new lease of life in recent weeks.
I am constantly amazed at how every now and then you announce what seems like another ten acre hitherto uncivilized section to your garden of Eden – it seems to go on fir-ever.
Thanks, Bruce. We should get to the fir by Christmas
O Tannenbaum
🙂
Good to know that someone’s working in the garden while the TV’s on 🙂 I am surprised to know that you have not run out of uncleared corners of garden to rejuvenate. There is no sign of autumn either. Looking great.
Thanks Mary. They may all be done by the end of the year.
Your roses are just beautiful. The yellow and the pink are my “ah, wish I could stick my nose in that one” roses.
Thank you Lisa. The Head Gardener selects them for scent.
Oh I can only imagine the loveliness of the air wafting about!
Next year it should be better
I had to go back to check if some of these pictures were of a municipal park or really your backyard garden. Jackie must have a very strong back as I find myself doing most of my gardening bent in half, too, and it kills my back. But, I love it so….
Ginene
Thanks, Ginene. She’s pretty tough.
Now how did Marie Antoinette’s pheasant make it all the way to your garden from Bruce’s blog? Probably fed up with the chocolate cake! Hope you feed it something more substantial.
Light. It’s a solar light. 🙂 Thanks, Oscar.
Beautiful photos Derrick – especially the roses (my favourites!). I also agree with Bruce – more and more keeps appearing! Wondrous! 🙂
Thank you, Rob
Great post as usual, Derrick – we can always count on you. By the way, we had 2 NFL teams play in London on Sunday, do you ever watch American Football?
I never have, GP, but it is becoming popular over here.
I thought it might take a while. I know people here fought hard not to like futbol (soccer to us), but now it’s on tv and has quite an audience. Takes time.
Beautiful photos as usual, Derrick. I especially like the last two 🙂
Thank you, Julie
So beautiful, Derrick! Love this gallery of flowers. Great capture of the bee! 🙂
Thank you, Amy
It really was a dreadful result. Those photos, and your post, really have cheered me up though.
Thank you, Alex
The roses really are fabulous.
Thank you both
Derrick, I just shared your bouquet of garden photographs with my Mom who loved botany in her youth and had great rock gardens throughout my life. She loved the perfect roses and gorgeous arbor, bench light, pheasant and kiwi statues. Such a lovely post! 🙂 Smiles, Robin
Many thanks, Robin. I am pleased your Mom liked them. My Mum at 93 can get around the garden, but she can’t see the screen properly any more