I delayed my walk around the garden until later this afternoon, hoping to take advantage of the light.
Almost as soon as I had photographed this budding heuchera
and this camellia bloom toning into graceful age,
the skies closed the curtains, silhouetting the Weeping birch branches.
I continued photographing a range of daffodils;
another somewhat droopy camellia retaining its youthful bloom;
one of our varieties of euphorbia;
a species tulip, Lilac Wonder;
a steadily developing Japanese maple;
and one of our sundry clusters of forget-me-nots.
The West Bed border contains primroses, primulas, hellebores, snakes head fritillaries, and lamium.
I even just about managed to catch a wren.
Russell the lone crow imprinted on Jackie made
quite a row cawing for his Mum.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s wholesome Hunter’s chicken; roast potatoes, parsnips, and mushrooms; crisp carrots and cauliflower; tender cabbage and green beans; followed, with custard, by what, given its dried fruit base, the Culinary Queen calls her amber crumble, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the El Zumbido.
Your plant knowledge is impressive Derrick as are the meals Jackie creates! ❤️🇬🇧🙏🏻
Your garden must be a delight to wander through in any light!
It is, thanks very much, Anne.
Most beautiful images of the flowers, Derrick. Does Russell like to steal shiny things from you and Jackie? (My dad had a crow that did. He told me many stories…)
Thanks very much, Maj and Sher. Not as far as we know 🙂
Lovely set of photos Derrick
Thanks very much, Sheree
Russell is back!! If you mentioned it before, it drifted past my awareness …. I was thinking of him a while back when Nugget was prominent, before he got himself a bride and went all domestic on us – I wondered if Russell was around and aware his mum had another love. Is it safe for Jackie to go outside if Russell is back?
I mentioned him just once more – because he is always alone when others are paired. Jackie did finally shake him off. Thanks very much, Pauline.
I’m glad to hear Jackie is safe.
🙂
The first camellia photo is breathtaking, Derrick.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
The weeping willow silhouetted against the sky is my favorite out of the group for artistry.
Your usual impeccable taste, Liz. Thanks very much.
You’re welcome, Derrick!
Absolutely stunning work sir.
Thank you very much, Gary.
1. I really covet your daffodils.
2. Is Jackie open to sharing her chicken recipe?
3. Sleep well, sweet dreams.
2. The recipe is a fairly standard pub method: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/hunters-chicken-0 Jackie uses Hoi-Sin sauce instead of BBQ. Thanks very much, Yvonne.
Thanks. I’ve shared that with a couple of friends. Jackies cooking is renowned all over the world!
🙂
4. Maybe the chicken is cacciatore, which means ‘hunter’. In that case, Jackie is permitted to relax. 😊
🙂
After enduring a cloudy day, your photos were a bright spot, Derrick. Thanks for sharing!
I’m pleased, Jill. Thank you very much.
Well done for catching the wren. They are flighty birds.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal.
I hope you continue to have good weather and good meals while on lock down. Both are necessary.
So far, so good, Lisa. Thanks very much.
Russell Crow is a monotone beauty, and presents a contrast to the camelias of the garden.
Thank you so much for your usual observant comment, Uma
The light was well worth waiting for. The flowers sweetly delicate. Poor Russel, I hope he finds a love of his own.
Thanks very much, JoAnna
Russell the Lone Crow is a good name for that fellow! I loved the photos of him from your old post. I enjoyed the virtual tour of your gardens, once again!
That is lovely, Lavinia. Thanks very much.
I just went back to the Russell Crow link. Abso-bloody-utiful. Happened to my ex-wife this year as well. I think they are a most dreadfully misunderstood bird.
Thanks a lot, Paol. I believe Aesop got that.
Ha Ha!
Birds are drawn to Jackie, aren’t they? Wonderful quality to have.
They are, Laurie. Thank you very much.
Those daffodils in the last photograph look positively unhappy, drooping their heads as they lose the sunlight.
Thanks a lot, John
Your garden pictures are very uplifting and I really like the wren!
Thanks very much, Andrew. That is the only wren I’ve ever managed to photograph.
Plenty of more opportunities in the coming weeks Derrick!
🙂
So good to see Russell Crow! 🙂
You daffodils are perfect!
Your garden is bringing such joy, calm, and hope in these tense times.
Thank you, Jackie and Derrick!
<3 and (((HUGS)))
PS…I've had your Mum on my mind, a lot, the past week. I hope she is well.
Mum is doing well. She has just finished colouring in an Easter Card given out by the staff. Thank you very much from us both, Carolyn X
I love how the garden is progressing.
What is Hunter’s chicken, Jackie?
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/hunters-chicken-0 Jackie uses Hoi-Sin sauce instead of BBQ. Thanks very much, GP
Thank you very much, you two. (I’ll be using hoisin sauce too).
Stay safe!
I’d love to catch a photo of the pair of wrens coming around at my place now, but they are flighty. I think the only possibility would be to sit outdoors, very still, and wait. I looked at the recipe for the Hunter’s Chicken, and grinned again at the amusing truth that even English sometimes needs to be translated. Rasher? Hob? I suppose a Connecticut Yankee coming to the deep South would have the same experience. Our language is as varied and luscious as Jackie’s meals!
🙂 Thank you very much, Linda
Even if the light wasn’t what you had hoped for, you managed some beautiful photos. I particularly like the weeping birch. I had forgotten about Russell. The crows have been very active and busy around here lately.
Thanks very much, Merril
oh, Derrick these flowers are just gorgeous. I love the daffodil with the peach trumpet, how unusual.
Supper sounded delicious too, mine was a ham sandwich last night!
Thanks very much, Sue
Seeing your posts of the garden shows me the joys yet to come in mine! On this occasion, I refer to the forget-me-nots – so lovely to see 😊
Thank you very much, Helen
Springtime in the garden… lovely Derrick!
Thanks very much, Julie
That backlit heuchera is fantastic, and the wren is a shot to be treasured. I rarely mange a shot of the flighty little sods – always so quick and angry.
A complete wonder! 🌸🌸
Thank you very much, Ribana
Did ‘mum’ return the greeting? 🙂
No – he put her off big time, Widders. Thanks very much
Life continues. It rises from its winterly refuge.
It does. Thank you very much, Micheline.