Late this afternoon I listened to the deceptively sweet trilling of a rival robin issuing war cries from a tree in the garden of No 5 Downton Lane whilst I stood in the Rose Garden photographing
lemon yellow climber Summer Time;
aptly named Altissimo glowing against the clear blue sky;
Madame Alfred Carriere draped over the entrance arch;
pinkish Penny Lane scaling the potting shed;
glorious Gloriana;
clustered Crown Princess Margareta;
and florid Festive Jewel.
On my way back towards the house I admired the species tulip and Japanese maple juxtaposition in the Palm Bed
and passed another peony opened in the Dragon Bed.
Down the Head Gardener’s Walk I rounded the greenhouse which still accommodates plenty of pelargonium cuttings,
and came upon Nugget, too currently domesticated for battle, gathering supplies from his food tray, now suitably wired against blackbirds.
He briefly whispered in the wisteria before heading off to his family.
Soon we will dine on chicken Kiev, roast potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, and green beans. I will refrain from eulogising the quality of the cooking just in case the menu items turn out to be soggy or burnt, especially as Jackie is currently drinking Heineken and I am busy finishing the Shiraz.
Loving reading your blog Derrick, the photos are amazing and those robin pics are adorable.
Thank you so much, Sue. (I’m learning about Hungary, too).
Nugget whispering in the wisteria is a winsome picture indeed! Wondering if it was so the rival didn’t know he was there…… And the last imagination of the two of you making merry on the patio and the cook losing the plot with cooking times made me laugh – As if! 🙂
As if, indeed, Pauline 🙂 Thanks very much.
The roses are magnificent — and I’m really enjoying the tales of Nugget!
Thanks very much slmret.
Such gorgeous roses, and I bet your dinner was splendid too.
x
The dinner was splendid, of course, Melanie 🙂 Thanks very much X
Most welcome.
x
Thank you for all the glorious roses, Derrick!
Mr Nugget obviously considers his family responsibilities more important than his rival’s war cries.
Finally, I doubt that any of the food produced by the Culinary Queen has a chance of turning out soggy or burnt. Where is your faith?
Would I dare to crack that joke about the meal had I thought there was any chance of failure, Dolly? 🙂 Thank you very much.
But of course! You are very welcome, Derrick.
🙂
I was wondering who or what would be whispering in the wisteria when I read the title. I’m glad it was Nugget. The flowers are beautiful, and your captions as delightful as always. My favorite was “Madame Alfred Carriere draped over the entrance arch,” which made me imagine an elegant woman swooning–like an Edward Gorey drawing.
I hope the dinner turned out well. I doubt Jackie would let it burn.
I’m so pleased you interpreted the draping successfully, Merril. Of course the dinner did turn out as well as always 🙂 Thank you very much.
Your nugget is a jewel. How lovely to watch his daily happenings in your back yard! I bet the food was just fine, too. 😉
The food was, of course, Cindy 🙂 Thanks very much.
Hi Derrick, love your photos of the roses, what beauties, so cheerful. Thanks for sharing them with us 🙂
Aw…Nugget! He sure is photogenic, Derrick. All of your photos are gorgeous. So many would make wonderful puzzles. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you, too, Jill
Those roses are just staggering.
Thanks very much, Gary.
Beautiful photos 🌸
Thank you very much, Tiny
Such beautiful roses! I like Nugget’s caged feeder. Fie on those marauding blackbirds!
Thanks very much, Liz. We trust Nugget is appreciative.
I do have a feeder that blackbirds are welcome to use, I just wanted to have one for the Nuggets as the Blackbird does tend to dominate.
Gorgeous photos, Derrick!
I wonder if Madame Alfred Carriere has met Dr. Ruppel?! 😉 😀
So good to see Mr. Nugget! What a good family man he is! I hope he and Mrs. Nugget and all the little Nuggets are well!
I bet Jackie will take good care of the dinner and it will be delicious! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…I found this out by Googlin’…
“Mme Alfred Carriere” was bred in France in 1879 by Joseph Schwartz who was responsible for many famous roses such as “Mme Ernest Calvat” and “Roger Lambelin”. He dedicated this rose to the wife of Alfred Carriere, who was the chief editor of “Revue Horticole” a famous horticultural publication in France in the 1800’s and a keen amateur rosarian.
Thanks very much, Carolyn. The meal was, of course, perfect. A very useful P.S. X
That is so interesting, re name of rose. I often wonder why they are named as they are.
What a brightly coloured day. 🙂 Beautiful.
I decided on a no rose garden in our new home but I do love the them from buds to fragrant petals on the ground… It’s the thorns. I never missed a day without those nasty things causing me pain. Such a silly reason I suppose.
Did you ever read my poem “I love my roses”?
I don’t remember your poem, Chrissy. Could you send me a link? https://www.google.co.uk/search?source=hp&ei=L_60XoWjBoSclwSTs6SIAg&q=zephirine+drouhin&oq=Zepherin&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgCMgIIADICCAAyBAgAEAoyAggAMgIIADIECAAQCjIHCAAQChCLAzIFCAAQiwMyBQgAEIsDMgUIABCLAzoFCAAQgwE6CAgAEIMBEIsDUJwZWKJrYPXdAWgAcAB4AIABU4gB4ASSAQE4mAEAoAEBqgEHZ3dzLXdpergBAw&sclient=psy-ab
Zephirine Drouhan has no thorns and a beautiful scent.
Thanks a lot.
http://riversidepeace.com/2020/02/05/i-love-my-roses/
My memory must be going 🙂 I even commented!
LOL! yes, I noticed your little pic there. 🙂
🙂
Looks like a nice day.
It was, Mrs W. Thanks very much.
Your welcome.
I’m betting that your dinner was delicious as usual. That last picture of Nugget is a beauty.
It was, Laurie, but I took the opportunity for a little joke. Thanks very much, especially for the picture comment.
The robin whispering in the wisteria was a very good way to end the post.
Thanks for appreciating that, Tootlepedal. I thought it balanced the opening one quite well.
Thank you Derrick and Nugget for another bright start to my brilliant shining autumn morning…
So pleased, Ivor. Thanks a lot.
I believe Nugget was whispering a thank you for his safe feeder. Your flower photos have such rich and varied textures, I feel like I can almost touch the petals.
Much appreciated, JoAnna. Thanks a lot.
So so beautiful 🌹 I’m sure Nugget is really grateful 😉💕
Thank you very much, Ribana.
Nugget’s food tray resembles a frontier post of war torn border, courtesy the Admiralty of the Garden. Beautiful flower photos.
Not yet any barbed wire!!
Doesn’t it just, Uma. Thanks very much.
Beautiful roses. Loved the line of Nugget whispering in the wisteria. Some years ago I had a friend who moved away to a house called Wisteria Lodge, wisteria covered the front of the house and I attempted to replicate it here (unsuccessfully) , my friend and I lost touch but your post served to remind me of how beautiful Wisteria Lodge was..
I’m pleased to prompt the memory, Sue. Thanks very m much.
A charming post, I enjoyed it!
A glorious array of flowers to feast our eyes upon! I particularly enjoyed the Altissimo rose and the tulips with maple shots. Nugget looks very settled in his home corner. We too have been enjoying robin song in recent mornings in the garden.
Thank you very much, Peggy. I was particularly happy with the light in those two shots.
Good to see the wiring on Nugget’s food dish are finally to his liking. haha
Got a kick out of your dinner expectations.
When my mom used to cook for a lot of people during the holidays, she would encourage them to drink – she said that way they wouldn’t know if she ruined something! 🙂
Good for her, GP. Thanks very much.
Great pics of your gardens as a!ways!
Thanks very much, Gary
The picture of Nugget in the wisteria is one of your finest.
Thank you so much, Quercus.
I like robins and I like wisteria. 🙂
The rumpled look sums up the joys of parenthood. 🙂
Yes – he has been looking a bit tatty. 🙂
I love those roses! Ours are still putting out leaves this year. We probably won’t see bloom buds for a while yet.
Nugget looks happy with his special feeder! 🙂
Thank you very much, Lavinia. 🙂
All the pictures are just beautiful. The tulip, I liked it the most
My favourite, too. Thanks very much, Muntazir
Such roses…they wear their names with elan and radiance! Nugget’s last photo is a portrait worth keeping. 🙂
Thanks very much, Cynthia. I was pleased with that one.
heh, heh, heh … discretion is at the heart of a healthy relationship! … so, how did dinner turn out? 🙂
Perfick, Widders. Thanks very much.
Love this 💛
Thanks. very much, Maria
Lovely and delicious meal, I love roast vestables
I made the mistake of eating lobster for lunch this week. And had a bad allergic reaction to it. I know now no more lobster.
Sorry to read that, More. I’ve never tried lobster. Thank you very much.
Life is full of colours.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Beautiful as always! I especially love the Altissimo. Nothing quite like a red rose :o)
thanks very much, Jan X
You captured some really wonderful pictures here Derrick!!! The roses are beautiful… so striking! And I adore the robin picture… all the blurry foliage around the edge makes a perfect frame!😎
Thank you so much, Suzie