Jackie and Nugget continued planting and bed making this morning while I cleared up some of the debris. Our little robin has even begun to get under my feet. He has begun to think ahead and, knowing where we are likely to go, arrives there before us. He only has to see me scoop up a trug full of clippings and he will be awaiting my arrival at the compost heap.
The normal size bricks in this photograph indicate what a diminutive creature he is. With secateurs in hand Jackie needs to be careful not to amputate anything.
Now, “Where’s Nugget?” (32).
Jackie plonked these starlike allium seed heads for their decorative quality.
Elsewhere we have plenty of varieties of dahlia; yellow self-seeded bidens;
flaming sedums;
delicate fuchsias;
pretty petunias;
roses, such as magnificent Mama Mia,
pure white Winchester Cathedral,
and blousy Schoolgirl,
all still keeping company with planted urns in the Rose Garden.
Vibrant splashes of colour enhance garden views such as this one across the lawn with its basket hanging from the eucalyptus, petunias in the chimney pot, and Japanese anemones on the far side;
the stepping stones across the Cryptomeria Bed with its Michaelmas daisies and clematis scaling the arch that spans the Phantom Path;
the Gazebo Path, again sporting a clematis in its third flush, hanging baskets, and more.
The Patio Bed gloried in the morning sunlight.
Before lunch we took a short drive into the east of the forest.
Autumn leaves clung to damp fungus.
on the verges of Lower Sandy Down where the Modus puts the width of the winding lane into perspective.
While a curious field horse looked on
I photographed the opposite landscape where freer equine cousins could be glimpsed in the distance.
Further on a woman walking her dog provided a further shot for scale.
This afternoon I watched the recording of the World Cup rugby match between South Africa and Italy.
This evening we dined on succulent pork chops; crisp roast potatoes, one sweet; crunchy carrots, and tender cabbage and runner beans, all flavoured by tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Fleurie.
The garden’s still a riot of colour despite the onset of autumn. Also, what is tase gravy?
I think his finger slipped, and he meant ‘tasty’ 🙂
Aah, that would explain it!
Yes. Thank you, Pauline. Now corrected
Thought it was some southern delicacy I’d never heard of!
🙂
Yes, indeed, Pauline. 🙂
Thanks very much, Sheree. Pauline has got this right 🙂
I know! In my neck of the woods (New Hampshire), we had a frost last night.
The garden is still looking glorious!
Thanks very much, Jessica
So many beautiful colours in your garden; it looks amazing.
x
Thanks very much, Melanie X
I echo the comments that your garden is still looking lovely.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. In common with yours
When I finally found Nugget I involuntarily cried “Yikes!” I see Jackie’s problem! Isn’t it amazing how clever he is – birds clearly have more intelligence than they are credited with. The garden is beautifully autumnal. And I rather like those dried seed heads too – good plonking!
Thank you very much, Pauline. Well spotted
I was excited to discover Nugget as well. His little red breast is the same color as the flowers.
Well spotted
🙂
Beautiful photos! Your garden is bursting with color and joy!
I expected to find Nugget sitting on Jackie’s knee… 😀 but, he’s not far from it! Ha! And he blends in with those flowers nicely. 😀
Nugget is so intelligent, curious, and loving! 🙂
I enjoy fungi and fun-guys! 😉 😛
HUGS!!! 🙂
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
Good garden shots and so glad that Nugget hasn’t fallen foul of Mr McGregor
🙂 Thanks very much, Sue
Such lovely flowers.
How are you today?
Thanks very much, More. I’m pretty well. And you?
Oh that’s good.
I am also just well
Great shots as usual, Derrick. I forget how much longer the flowering season is in the south compared with the frozen north, even though my exile here has extended over many years now.
Thanks very much, Mike. Having spent 19 years in Newark I was pleasantly surprised by the weather down here.
As a proud soft southerner, I still regard Newark as north – even though it’s far to the south now! All those flat vowels 🙂 – graass and baaath instead of grarse and barth…goodness me!
How absolutely glorious! And that little nugget is so clever!
Thanks very much, Luanne
Wonderful, colourful garden!
Many thanks, Clare
Gorgeous photos, Derrick! I love how the sunlight puts Nugget in the spotlight on that first photo. I think Nugget needs a guestroom in your house!
Thanks very much, Jill. And a duvet, perhaps
LOL! 🙂
I really like that photo of the horse near the end of your series. It’s just charming. It took me a while to find Nugget, even after finding a few clues in the comments. Finally, I got out the magnifying glass and said, “Oh, goodness! He’s gone for camouflage — hiding amongst the nasturtiums!” Clever, that bird.
Clever indeed. Well spotted, Linda
I can’t see Nugget but I can hazard a guess: Nugget must be somewhere in the Nugget coloured bed right across Jackie. The bricks truly provide a scale to our diminutive friend.
Thanks very much Uma, he is in the shade at the end of the nasturtiums – out of focus.
Out of focus, out of mind.
Luscious close ups of your fabulous flowers—thanks for those!
Thanks very much, Cynthia
Beautiful and fascinating shots! I especially like the allium seed heads and wonder how Jackie will use them.
Thanks very much, Joanna. Jackie is hoping that the seeds will drop out and germinate
Wonderful, colourful garden bro
Thanks very much KT
Oh, pork chops. You are a lucky man!
I’m pleased it wasn’t l. Thanks very much, Yvonne
I looked it up and Nugget weighs between 16–22 grams (9/16–13/16 oz), Light enough to fly!
Amazing. Thanks for that, John
Mama Mia! The garden still looks lovely. 🙂
We have dried agapanthus heads that we keep in a big glass bowl that are very similar to Jackie’s allium. 🙂 Knowing what a gredy guts ‘little’ Nugget is i should not have been too surprised, but i was actually amazed when i finally found him after biggifying the Where’s Nugget game today.
He really does have total trust in you both, doesn’t he?
Far more trust than i would have should i ever be navigating that winding lane – i HOPE it is one way only! 🙂
We had just come nose to nose with a van – that was interesting
That’s one word for it – i could easily think of others. 😉
I believe I did at the time. He really shouldn’t have been on that road
🙂
I had to enlarge the picture again to find Nugget. One day I expect he’ll be hiding in Jackie’s hair or in her pocket. That is one weird bird!!
That horse looked kind of lonely, you supplied some needed distraction.
Thanks a lot GP. The horse had a companion who was less curious 🙂
Gardens are still lovely. Couldn’t find the elusive Nugget.
But you successfully persevered, Laurie 🙂
I did!
P.S. Found him! Little buddy.
Well spotted, Laurie. Not an easy one. Thanks very much
That Nugget has definitely hitched onto your family, Derrick. I hope you’ve invited him to your Christmas dinner. Not as an aside to the turkey of course!
🙂 Thanks very much, Roland
I find the names of all the flowers quite wonderful. Someone, somewhere, has an interesting job. 😀
And, like everything, the names are constantly changing to keep people in jobs. Thanks very much, Widders
As ever, your garden looks wonderful..
Thank you very much, LL/PS
Your roses look to be in fine form. Ours have mostly succumbed to wet and cold.
We are really enjoying an Indian summer, Lavinia. But not today 🙂
Your garden is so beautiful and full of color. I love the bond between Jackie and Nugget!
Iy is amazing, Merril. Many thanks
Beautiful refreshing post Derrick, a tour through your garden is a floral artists delight.
Cheers, Ian