CLICK ON IMAGES (ESPECIALLY THE CRICKET) TO ENLARGE. REPEAT (ESPECIALLY THE CRICKET) IF REQUIRED.
DID I MENTION THE CRICKET?
It is two years since we were last assisting our friend Giles in opening his garden in Milford on Sea. Once more, today, we took the first stint in his rota.
Overnight rain had only recently desisted at 11 a.m., so Jackie, on the door, had plenty of opportunity to work on her puzzles,
while Giles and I chatted until the first visitors arrived.
Blu-tacked onto the entrance window is a well-deserved certificate.
Beneath this is one of the gardener’s creative sculptures, made from found objects. The upright stone was once part of a window in Southwell Minster.
Here is another from the bottom of the garden.
This one contains examples of his stained glass work,
as does this view from the sitting room, showing the artefact on which stands his tree encircled by butterflies.
A further creation on the decking is seen through the French windows.
Pebbles and granite sets creating paths and other features were all collected over a number of years from on and around the nearby beaches.
Seventeen years ago, this rambling haven was almost completely grassed over. It is now packed with trees, shrubs, and other features attractive to wildlife.
Raindrops still pilled on the fibres of smoke tree;
foxgloves;
clematis;
and osteospermum – even on the little cricket’s antennae.
A notice visible in the second clematis picture indicates and lists the uses of the wildlife hotel;
another extols the value of viper’s bugloss to bees.
I expect these latter enjoy delphiniums, too, although blue is Giles’s favourite flower colour.
Had the rain persisted, no doubt this hut, with its natural seat, would have filled up with visitors;
certainly the pond would have topped up with water.
This evening we dined on the rest of the Chinese Takeaway, and both drank Kingfisher.
A fine, fine cricket, indeed!
Thank you, Cynthia
What a wonderful garden that is so welcoming to wild life.. Many thanks for sharing it with us.. xx
Thanks, Sue XX
I didn’t see the cricket. Love the colour of the delphiniums!
Thanks, Pauline. Little green bug on the osteospermum. If you enlarge it twice you can see long antenna with raindrops on
I must be going blind – I was looking everywhere but the centre of the flower! Postie just delivered three beautiful photographs. What a treat, thank you both so much. I have a frame ready for one, shall rustle up another 🙂 You’ve made my day xo
Excellent, Pauline. So pleased. Glad you’ve recovered your sight, otherwise you couldn’t have enjoyed the pics. 🙂
A beautiful garden. 🙂 I love the cricket!
Thank you, Louise
I saw the cricket! If it had rained it just wouldn’t be cricket.
Brilliant, as ever, Bruce. (but I think you meant ‘hadn’t’?)
Hadn’t – had – it’s all in the laps of the gods: As flies to wanton boys are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport (How the heck did Shakespeare dream up lines like that?) !
That was a most satisfying photo to zoom larger, not just for the cricket.
Your friend has created a very inviting garden.
Thanks, Yvonne. He has
Seventeen years, hey? Only another fifteen until YOURS looks this good, then?
🙂 Thanks, Paul. And to think, his began with a big lawn
Giles’ garden is beautiful and I like his other creations as well. Given the youth and color of the cricket, I bet it’s Jiminy.
I’m sure it is, Lisa. Thank you
Thanks for sharing so beautiful
Thank you, Lynn
Beautiful naturalistic garden. Richly deserving of an award.
Many thanks, Jessica. He’s done it all himself
Beautiful garden…….
Thanks, Vikey
Raindrop on antenna – what a great shot! A marvelous garden tour. Thanks so much – a needed retreat from all this going on here in the states.
This is a wildly exotic wonderland?????!!! I’m gonna post a grasshopper in a minute here–keep ur eyes open??
thanks so much for giving us this lovely tour!!!?❤️The foxgloves are sublime???
Thank you, moonmaenad. Your comments are as entertaining as your posts
This is lovely too although I prefer your garden. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Geetha
Welcome Derrick 🙂
So many gifts of nature! Your friends has done a fine job. And I adore his stained glass works and whimsical touches with found objects. The hotel might be my fave.
Many thanks, Cynthia. I’ll pass it on
Awww…thank u Derrick..?but my comments aren’t nearly as entertaining as these pics…they r soooo whimsically loverly ❤️❤️❤️
Great garden, cute cricket 😉
Thank you, Tamara
All mimsy were the borogoves….. lovely post
Many thanks, Sol
If Giles’ stones were collected round here (Hampshire), it’s pretty doubtful they’re granite. Granite is created by volcanic activity, and I think such geology doesn’t extend this far east. I guess it’s possible, if you know what you’re looking for, to gradually amass that much from the odd wash-up on the shore, but that’s an extremely long-term vision to indulge in to edge a path! (He has had 17 years: perhaps that’s his level of dedication!!)
Thanks, Paul. They were collected from the cliff sides near Barton on Sea. Perhaps, like ours, having been used for paving?