As I wandered around the garden this morning, a Speckled Wood butterfly flitted across my path and settled, to cast its shadow, on the outside of the sitting room wall.
Like the roses
Absolutely Fabulous, still living up to its name,
and Chris Beardshaw, just needing a bit of a trim,
it still enjoys the sunshine.
Here is the next section of the series charting the progress in the garden.
The Head Gardener’s Walk links into the Shady Path, seen here first on 7th, then 19th May 2014. This path, although now opened up to the light is so named because it was then mostly in deep shade.
This was one of the first paths we had begun to clear. By 27th July, we had reset the extant Victorian edge tiles, and thinned out invasive euphorbias, some of the roots of which were quite stubborn.
The following day Jackie was able to relax on the Ace Reclaim bench that we had bought from that architectural salvage outlet.
Here, on 5th September, Jackie is working on clearing the bed on the opposite side.
This is what the Shady Path looked like on 20th October 2015. The trellis in the background now borders the refurbished decking.
In preparation for the winter which is bound to come, and in particular for the twice-yearly tampering with the clocks which results in earlier darkness, The Head Gardener needed lighting in her shed. Off we went to ScrewFix in Lymington and bought a battery operated lamp.
On our return Ron and Shelly arrived to help sort out the problem I am still having sending the party photographs to Ray Salinger. His son transferred them to a memory stick. Our visitors stayed for dinner.
As attractive as the taste of Indian food is its colour and its aromas. The fragrance of Jackie’s superb simmering lamb jalfrezi alongside the fresh scents of the chopped peppers were extremely appetising, so who could resist an invitation to share it.
Jackie drank Kingfisher and the rest of us shared a bottle of Mu red wine 2013 that Ron had brought back from Spain.
Derick and Jackie,
The garden is stunningly fabulous. Jackie must be a professional gardener or landscape architect. This is beyond the average gardener’s scope.
Ginene
Thank you, Ginene. She is just very talented
It’s good to see Jackie sitting down instead of working, though if I sit less and work more my garden might be in better shape. The transformation of yours is spectacular. Love the butterfly and the roses.
I want curry!
Thank you, Mary
At some stage there just has to be a video tour of this lovely garden – I am greedy for more!!
Thank you, Pauline
Your garden is so beautiful, but seeing Jackie, in the garden, makes it even more beautiful, Derrick. The two of you make a great team!
Many thanks, Jill
“I’m Serena Williams on the court, but away I have so many different names. I call myself Butterfly.” Serena Williams 🙂
Thanks, Johnna
That yellow rose is gorgeous!
Thank you, Michael
Every day there is something new! I still can’t get over how quickly you shape these spots into what you want. Yes, a light outside is definitely in order, now that days are so short and the “tampering of the clocks” is imminent.
Thank you, Crystal
Great Scot! Jackie is about to be devoured by a triffid (4th to last photo). – I don’t know, Derrick, how you manage daily to turn the ordinary into a Nordic saga, but you do! Always fascinating to read. Ever so well done!
Many thanks, Bruce. Those triffids will get her one day. Then what will I do?
All that I can say is that you make me long for coming for a long and peaceful walk with you and Jackie into your amazing garder. And stay for dinner, by the way… 😉
garden. 😛
Many thanks
It’s like a glimpse of the tropics compared to our weather up here – I feel better just for looking at it. And I also feel hungry after seeing that curry…
Thank you Quercus. It is quite amazing. Nothing like a good curry. Have you tried the Shaan in Newark’s Kirkgate?
No, but I’ll put it on my list.
Bacchus bless Ron for his thoughtfulness and willingness to share! 🍷
Thanks, Oscar. Because they hadn’t expected to stay, he went home for it.
Great post Derrick. Wonderful shots of the moth and roses.
Thank you, elmediat
Beautiful pictures 🙂
Have a great day!
Arcane owl
Thank you, Owl
Seriously beautiful garden. Talent shining through on both your parts Derrick and Jackie
Thank you, Gay. I always think of your poor burnt roses. How are they now?
Jackie can make jalfrezi, it’s an epifeny and a poem! Lord I’m jealous D! Save me a seat! You married a good un, she’s multi talented your girl is!
Thank you, Candice. She sure is.
There is little that a good pair of loppers can’t sort out. What a transformation.
Thank you, Jessica