This afternoon Jackie drove us into the forest.
The gardens of Sway featured
a flowing stream beyond a lichen tattooed tree in Mead End Road;
a pink magnolia towering over a hedge in Adlam’s Lane;
a magnolia stellata competing with a variegated privet in Brighton Road;
and another pink one stating its ascendancy over a red camellia.
As we set out towards Burley we paused at the obligatory pony crossing.
At Thorney Hill our side of the road was clear, while an unconcerned grey made its leisurely way along the other.
On our return home I ventured into the garden to discover whether our flame red Vulcan magnolia was yet in bloom. It wasn’t, but we still have
camellias, some fallen blooms now adorning the gravel paths; daffodils
a variety of cyclamens
hellebores;
and hyacinths.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s succulent sausage casserole; creamy mashed potato; crunchy carrots; and tender cabbage and runner beans. The meal was taken from plates on trays in front of the television whilst we watched a recording of the earlier Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and France.
Beautiful signs of spring in your little corner of the world Derrick.
Many thanks, Pauline
How does the grey know the Highway Code?
Lovely pictures.
In our road the Cherry Blossom trees are all going pink. Chris
Ha – that’s right – he’s walking the right way. That’s funny.
Pure coincidence, Chris 🙂 They have absolutely no road sense
: )
It looks like spring has sprung in your area, Derrick. I love the photos! Derek recorded that match, too. 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. I suppose it must be an interesting contest for Americans
I have never been a fan of magnolias, too brash and showy for my tastes and I always find camellia blooms to be disappointingly fragile and brief!
Likewise, particularly regarding magnolias.
They need to be followed by something else. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Continuity is the secret to a good garden!
🙂
Lovely post. I know this is a tough time for your family. I am glad that spring is blooming.
Thank you so much, Flower
Lovely photos–we had a few inches of fluffy snow on top of what had been on the ground for the last two or so months here near Woodstock NY. It reminds me of how the seasons used to be when I was growing up, which cheers me no end.
Thanks very much, Donnalee. I hope your spring brightens soon
oh my goodness, your beautiful pictures make me so excited for spring! thank you.
Beautiful blossoms, Derrick. Now I’m hungry…….for sausage casserole. ?
Thank you very much, Sylvia
Such beautiful signs of warmth…Spring-y! 🙂
Your photos are smile-bringers! 🙂
Thank you, Derrick!
(((HUGS))) for you and Jackie
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
All so pretty; I love the scent of hyacinths!
Thank you very much, Becky
An awakening of spring, beautifully captured Derrick
Thank you very much, Ivor
More beautiful photographs Derrick. My favourite is the hyacinth one of my favourite flowers. Like Becky I love the scent. Glad to see you are getting out and about x
I saw that photo and could almost smell it.
I think we were given it in a pot once
Thanks very much, June.
Lovely photos. Nothing like that in our garden at the moment.
Thanks very much, John
Your photos bring Spring ever closer to me. Thank you, Derrick.
And thank you for reading and commenting, Roland
Beautiful.
Over here, spring hasn’t really arrived yet.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
Thank goodness for flowers, springtime,the obligatory pony crossings and Jackie’s great cooking!
Indeed, GP. Thanks very much
Derrick, thank you for posting even as you go through difficult times. I suppose it is the routine of living that helps at times like this, and seeing the earth do what it can’t help doing.
Quite so, Susanne. Thank you very much
Lovely! We are probably 8 weeks away from having magnolia blooms around here.
Thanks very much, Cynthia. Our Vulcan is rather later, too
I am filled with envy at your floral luxuriance.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. I trust yours will come soon
Lovely post, Derrick. Your spring is helping me through my winter.
I’m pleased about that, Jodie. Thank you very much
: )
Beautiful blossom everywhere! Ours is suffering in the high winds and heavy rain. I hope your garden survives all these storms.
Thanks very much, Clare. Not too much damage
Good.
Those are such graceful and beckoning magnolias basking in the sun and gentle breeze (I can feel the presence of the latter due to memories embedded in my heart, although that might not be the case here). The ponies look majestic. A great post, as usual.
Thank you very much, Uma
Stunning photos
Thanks very much, Dad
the garden is really beautiful, it’s nice all these colors spring.
ps: who won the market?
Ireland, I’m afraid :). Thanks very much, Yoshimi
Colour all around, blue skies and sunshine would bring a much needed lift to the spirit. 🙂
I love your cyclamen, mine are all in pots so i can move them out of the blistering sunshine or heat as required. The hyacinth looks gorgeous. Thank you for sharing them all with us, Derrick. 🙂
Thanks very much, Bob
Beautiful Pics Derrick. I love Magnolias.
Thanks very much, Gary
If you hadn’t said that the camellias were fallen, I’d have thought they were some kind of exotic plant unusually growing on the path. We have two magnolias, one of which – Magnolia Susan – has a stunning scent and it has the beginnings of buds but is late this year – it’s usually much further along by now. I love magnolias so your post is a treat. 🙂
Very many thanks, Val
Oh my–spring has really sprung in your part of the world, and it’s glorious! Thank you for sharing. I love those magnolias, but the ponies made me smile, too.
Thanks very much, Merril
Those magnolia flowers are stunning against the clear blue sky. We had bursts of sleet and hail yesterday.
Thanks very much, Susan
Spring has sprung, unflappable ponies, a delicious dinner. Who could ask for more?
Thanks very much, Joanne
Your beautiful photos make me hope spring is around the corner for us where I live!
I hope so, Lisa. Thank you very much
Very beautiful. I think spring is just around the corner here. The snow is melting and the ground is thawing making awful mud. Instead of snow this week they are calling for rain
Hopefully good for the truck. Thanks very much, Mrs W
Thank you. I am ready to be able to walk while Wrangler unloads
Lovely blooms in all the gardens. Doesn’t matter to me what they are, spring is sprung!
Thanks very much, Sue
Gorgeous flowers – I love Magnolias and Camellias too!
Thank you very much, M.B.
Just lovely Derrick!
Thanks very much, Julie
The magnolias and camellias are beautiful, Derrick and Jackie, as are your gardens. Such color!
Thank you very much, Lavinia – from us both
The magnolias look lovely.
Thanks very much, LL/PS
Magnolias here will blossom in May. Lucky you!
Thanks very much, Steve
Delightful photos as always. I didn’t know til now that privet could be variegated.
Well spotted, JoAnna. Thanks very much
Absolutely stunning at every turn right into your own back garden. WOW ! We can’t grow magnolia here. Too damn cold for too long over winter. I’ve admired them in Virginia one spring though. They surround the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA It was founded in 1891 by Thomas Jefferson. So much interesting history in that part of America. Anyways, I could hardly believe the size of the blooms being bigger than my hand.
Those pink Camellia’s are really something too. We’ve have a terrible February but just now, this week it’s above 0 c for the next few days. The snow is beginning to melt, I can hear the water dripping from the eve’s….finally !! Cheers x B
May your Spring rush in. Thanks very much Boomdee
Beautiful spring, regardless of all the storms we have had.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Inese
How beautiful all those wonderful flowers are: I love spring!!!
Thanks very much, Ronnie
I’m seeing this post for the first time. It’s official we’re least six weeks behind you when it comes to spring and gardening. The magnolias are no where ready to bloom but when they do it will be short lived and magnificent.
Thanks very much Carol