Jackie photographed nicotiana and petunias on her way to the Rose Garden, where
she attempted to don the Festive Jewel.
Nugget is beginning to fly into the trees and shout his warning message to what we think is a distant emerging territorial rival.
“Where’s Nugget?” (7a) in this picture, taken when he dropped down to join the Head Gardener in her weeding.
The rest of the photographs are Jackie’s. Swooping on every available prey he kept her close company,
as she cleared weeds from the beds
and the stepping stones.
Having given a clue above, Jackie offers her own “Where’s Nugget?” (7)
The Assistant Photographer achieved the impossible early this morning by watching the best cricket of the day. Can you join her?
I, on the other hand, listened to BBC’s broadcast of the second day of the third Ashes Test match.
Becky and Ian returned home to Southbourne this afternoon.
This evening Jackie and I dined on succulent pork chops in mustard, brown sugar, and toasted almonds; creamy mashed potatoes: tangy ratatouille; crunchy carrots and broccoli; and tender runner beans. I drank Saint-Chinian 2016. The Culinary Queen had finished her Hoegaarden on the patio beforehand.
I really love the robin. They are so beautiful.
Thanks very much, Rabirius
What a sweet bird. I also grow that nicotiana and it naturalizes for me and comes back each year. I think my variety is Indian Pipes.
Thanks very much, Timelesslady
I have to grow mine from seed, they are called ‘Sylvestris’, but I love the name Indian pipes.
😊
Looks like a perfect day
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Nugget is a sweet bird. Jackie is doing awesome on that beautiful garden. I often watch and listen to cricket as well. I’m not too much into sports but occasionally it’s fun.
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome
I had the most trouble finding Nugget in the second photo of the search – I was looking for the tiny speck hidden chameleon like in the foreground of leaves and bark and it took me a while to realise he was the foreground 😀 ‘The Head Hardener’ must be a typo …… for she wears a rose quite delightfully! I have my fingers crossed that Nugget’s behaviour will warn off any potential intruders into his little kingdom. I’m hoping he will raise a series of little Nuggets that see the Old Post House owners as their very own food providers.
Very many thanks, Pauline. I’m onto that typo right away 🙂
Tea pots have been purchased (not yet hung up) in anticipation of a robin nest, they apparently really like the dimensions and natural drainage that they offer, a ‘des res’ for Nugget.
I’m so hoping he decides to move in when the time is right……. <3
Oh, that’s awesome! Wouldn’t it be lovely to have him bring you a family to love!
It would indeed
What a pretty bird! We don’t have those. I bet it sings a pretty tune.
It does. Sweet and gentle when talking to us. Very loud when warning off rivals. Thanks very much, Cindy.
Listening to cricket looks like hard work at the moment.
I gave up at about 4 p.m. Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
The adventures of Nugget are very appealing. I love that chubby green insect in your topic picture.
Thanks very much, Lisa
Sweet little Nugget. It fascinates me that he’s adopted Jackie.
Thank you very much, Leslie
Little Nugget likes to be the center of attention, doesn’t he? 🙂 Beautiful photo of Jackie! <3
Thank you very much, Jill. X
Just another fun day in your gardens!
Thanks very much, Gary
Answer to Quiz (7): Nugget is at the bottom right corner.
Answer to Quiz (7a): Nugget is in between the third and fourth stepping stones.
I have seriously begun believing that bird is an old acquaintance reborn and restored to your garden. You and Jackie seem to be enjoying crickets of slightly varying kind.
Well spotted, Uma, and good cricket observation. Thanks very much
What delightful pictures of sweet Nugget and Jackie who I imagine dancing through the garden with the rose in her teeth – just for fun! 🙂
Thanks very much, JoAnna
That is a well camouflaged cricket. Better hope it’s enough to hide from Nugget
Good thought, Jerry. Many thanks
fun these parts of cache hiding with nugget
I’m pleased you think so, Yoshimi. Thanks very much
Fab photos of Nugget
Thanks very much, Sheree
Managed to spot Nugget in both without ‘biggifying’. 😉
That cricket certainly has fine camouflage – almost chameleon-like.
As for the other kind… looking on the bright side – you don’t have to watch England bat for very long!! 😉
I believe it is not unreasonable to say yesterday was the 21st century’s death of English cricket, the body of which, i presume, will be cremated and the ashes interred. R I P 🙁
Too much one day stuff. Thanks a lot, Bob
The Australian commentators (and G. Boycott esq.) were discussing this topic apres le debacle and basically arrived at your conclusion.
It seems that junior cricketers are being taught with a one day/20-20 bias to their training and long periods of defence in difficult batting conditions are falling by the wayside. It’s happening from the grass roots up. 🙁
And the one day games are stacked against bowlers, giving the batsmen a false sense of ability
(In deferrence to the sad loss of the departed i made the previous comment exactly 67 words long.)
Sadist, but thank you for that, Bob
My pleasure! Feel free to refer to me by my title if you so wish – Marquis. 😉
🙂
The Head Gardener’s smile is more beautiful than the roses and she makes me smile! 🙂 And her Little Apprentice makes me giggle! In that one photo, Nugget is looking right at the camera like, “Hey, People! I’m right here! Do you see me?! 🙂 Such a cutie! 🙂
That green-leafy-cricket sure blends in well with the leaves! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
Very many thanks, Carolyn X
Hi Jackie, nice seeing you again 🙂
Thanks a lot from me, Arlene. 🙂 from Jackie
Lovely photos. It’s great to see Nugget hovering about and keeping watch over everything.
Thanks very much, Merril
Terrific photos you two!! I still can’t believe that tiny bird is so brave as to follow a human around so closely! Nugget is adorable.
Very many thanks, GP
Oh, that Nugget! What a sweet companion. Green crickets? In Maine, ours are black. Love their sweet song, and hope yours sing sweetly, too.
Thanks very much, Laurie. Our green crickets are chirpy
Ours are black like Laurie’s. And chirpy. Together outside, they blend together and are sweet. But the other night there was one in my bedroom or in the basement and it was SO annoying! Too erratic to be ignored.
A bit like moths when you are trying to read
Ha – exactly, Derrick.
🙂
Sweet little bird!
Thanks very much, Julie
Birds are happy in your beautiful yard, Derrick! And, you get to watch the Ashes Test match! 🙂
Thanks very much, Amy 🙂
I love the little bird. 🙂
Thanks very much, Micheline
Love the cricket!
Thanks very much, Viv
You are welcome 🙏
We have black and brown crickets, so I did a double-take on your green one. No, not a katydid or a grasshopper! Your Nugget is a brave fellow!
Many thanks, Jean
I found Nugget both times, the second being a little trickier! Good fun 😀
I’m pleased you like it, Sue. Thanks very much
So, Nugget is entering the hormonal teenage years, eh? 😀 … great Lady of the Roses photo. 🙂
Thank you very much, Widders 🙂 🙂
That shot of Jackie made my day. What a smile!
🙂 Thanks very much, Jodie. That is what captured me more than 50 years ago
Aw, that’s so sweet. <3
🙂
Many good Nugget photos! He’s quite the attentive little fellow.
Thanks very much, Liz. He knows how to gather fast food
Look at the glow at Jackie’s face!!
Loved all the pictures but my favorite ones are all about pretty tiny Nugget.
Thank you very much, Dee
Oh! What a gorgeous cricket. I’ll admit, I was thinking of a different cricket when I read the title of your post, but the crawly kind works just fine.
This one was far more attractive than England’s performance on the day – we did eventually win the match, though. Thanks very much, Crystal.
Ha ha ha!!