Today Jackie was mostly refurbishing and tidying pots and hanging basket plantings.
She has completed the Shady Path where all is now well, except for
windburn on this white lobelia;
and on this yellow tree peony whose healthy seed pods offer optimism for next year.
Beyond this small triangular bed before the wisteria arbour
Mrs Knight continued her work on the greenhouse area.
The life of the sweet peas on the kitchen corner could not be extended, but the tomato plant over which the force of the winds had flung them, has survived.
It remains be seen whether this hydrangea in the patio will recover from its blisters.
After lunch the Head Gardener applied herself to stripping out dead parts of the patio’s potted plants and tidying the rest.
Nugget assisted her in sweeping up – the disturbed insects, that is. For those readers new to the “Where’s Nugget?” feature or whose robins are different from ours, notably lacking the distinguishing red breast, there follows
a selection of portraits of our little gardener’s friend.
Now, can you see “Where’s Nugget?” (5), from when he joined us later on the patio for drinks.
Soon after I had begun to draft this post, Jackie came inside complaining that her little companion was not letting her get anything done.
This evening we dined on coriander and garlic coated chicken kebabs; Jackie’s spicy omelette-topped savoury rice; and moist ratatouille with our own runner beans. The Culinary Queen drank Blue Moon and I drank more of the Garnacha Syrah.
I will now wait half an hour for the TV Channel 5 broadcast of the cricket highlights to finish so that I can watch my own recording advertisement-free.
I can understand Jackie’s complaint about Nugget 🙂 My garden companion, a hummingbird, doesn’t like it whenever I work near the feeder.
🙂 Thanks very much, Rosaliene
Nugget is a star. I’ve never had one come so close. Mrs. Knight looks very happy with her labours, despite the windburn.
Thank you very much, Cynthia. Nugget arrived as a fledgling. Jackie is very happy over the recovery
Jackie looks like a woman who loves her work. Nugget is very photogenic. 🙂
Our robins also have red breasts, but they are bigger birds.
Thanks very much, Merril. She does love it, indeed
What a wonderful robin. Great fun.
Thanks very much, Gary. I’m glad you like him
Jackie looks great! And so happy, too. Hello to little Nugget! Great photos, Derrick. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much, Jill
Nugget seems to be getting tamer.
I think so, Susan. Thanks very much
I’m waiting for the post that tells of Nugget discovering that Jackie also provides food inside ……
You’ll be the first to know. Thanks. very much, Pauline
Bwhahahaha … it’s only a matter of time! 😀
Yes, I think so …..
🙂
Little Nugget may need his own site soon, or a guest column “Nugget’s News”. 🙂 He is a dear little bird. He does seem very tame.
I am sorry that storm made so much cleanup work for you and Jackie. Your gardens still look so lovely, though!
Very many thanks, Lavinia
Those adverts on Channel 5 are so repetitive and infuriating
Yes. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Excellent robin, excellent photos and, of course, excellent wife. Just a flying visit, but I will try to catch up a bit. I’ve missed you…
🙂 Thanks a lot, Quercus
I love robins, but sadly with their feeding habits they stand little chance against our cats.
Ah. Thanks very much, Leslie
You have a real fairytale garden, thanks to all of Jackie’s hard work. Love little Nugget. He’s really cute.
Thank you very much, Sylvia
The use of recordings to skip ads is a vital part of enjoying long sporting events on TV.
Exactly. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
Love the idea of Nugget’s News.
Many thanks, Sheree
I like that idea as well.
We’re getting some ground swell of support here.
🙂
It looks as thought there’s a bit of a chill in the air? I note Jackie’s vest. Goodness that bird is indeed cute. I think he has realized that things get stirred up when Jackie is out there and that mean s food for him!
You are so right! Apparently robins traditionally followed pigs that churn up the soil to get the disturbed insects, so sweet as he is, I am aware that he thinks I am a pig!.
Oh Jackie, my first good laugh of the day. You’re just an instrument of his feeding. I did not know that about robins and pigs, but his instincts are obviously quite good.
Thanks from us both, Lisa
Heh, heh, heh. 🙂
Indeed. Thanks very much, Lisa
I saw my first red robin last year in the States. The locals with whom I was visiting were tres amused at my excitement.
Thanks very much, Gwen. We were only talking this morning about which robins didn’t have red breasts. You seem to have confirmed my contention that it was yours.
I think we have plenty of robin species, and some with coloured plumage, but they are not a garden-variety bird. Probably prefer forests and woodlands.
Jackie is certainly working very hard indeed and the garden looks wonderful. She also seems to attract avian followers. Was it a jackdaw before? Beautiful photos, Derrick!
It was, indeed – rather more painful a friendship! Thanks very much, Clare
Yes! 🙂
🙂
Gorgeous photos! I can see why Mrs. Knight is smiling.
Thanks very much, Crystal
I always enjoy your garden tours, and dinner sounds devine.
Thank you very much, msw
Keep smiling, Jackie! Your beautiful smile, and your garden magic, makes us smile! 🙂
Little Nugget sure wants to help you. I think with your bright red vest he thinks you are his mama! 😮 😀
HUGS for you and HUGS for Derrick! 🙂
“Tweet-Tweets” for LN!!! 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Nice observation on the vest. Chuckles from Jackie. X
“A Gardener’s work is never done…” 😉
But glad to hear Jackie can relax and admire her handiwork with a wine or two afterwards.
Those photo’s of your avian companion are thoroughly delightful, he certainly looks pleased to be hanging with his ‘Homie’ in the bright red jacket! Has he taken to any teapots yet i wonder?
It was ‘Interesting’ following the cricket yesterday – the outcome is anything but certain but i’m leaning to a draw as the result, possibly as a result of bad light.
You are probably right about the cricket, Bob. Teapots not in place yet. Thanks very much
With her dedication, and due help her from the lensed chronicler and the winged watcher, Jackie can terraform the harshest of planets. The garden looks prim and brimful with promise.
Thank you so much, Uma. “How lovely” says Jackie
Nugget has definitely adopted Jackie as his mother!! Has he been getting accustomed to the home you bought for him?
With the Head Gardener’s touch, they’ll be nothing to be seen of that storm before you know it!!
Thanks a lot, GP. The teapot has not been hung yet
I can commiserate with Jackie, considering my trepidation at going out into the garden in case I scare off the pigeons. I don’t feel so bad about the magpie I scared earlier, though.
It’s amazing how much wind burn a bluster can cause, isn’t it!
Indeed, Helen. Thanks very much
I love Nugget. If you want to try taming your robin try feeding it mealworms. Robins are insect eaters but will take seeds and suet during hard times in winter or fruit in the summer if they feel like it.
He refuses mealworms – preferring the live insects his mother digs up 🙂 Thanks very much, Sherry
Mealworms are sold live at pet stores in the US.
Ah
I loved your photos of Nugget and Jackie’s description of herself as the pig that Nugget follows really made me Laugh!
Thanks a lot, Sue
Superb photos Derrick. I can see that Nugget is very attached to Jackie. I know nothing about cricket but I do hope the outcome is in your favor.
Thanks very much, Jerry. The match was drawn
Those little black eyes miss nothing. 😀
And he’s so fast. Thanks very much, Widders
What a great help Nugget! 🙂
Thanks very much, Ribana