When I walked down the garden to open the back gate for Aaron this morning the early sun peeped over the eastern fence, its light licking
the jeweling of last night’s rain still glittering on the plants. The bees were working away. Wedding Day festooning the Agriframes Arch approved of the Penny Lane bouquet adorning another. As usual galleries can be accessed by clicking on any image each of which may be viewed full size with a click in its box at bottom right; further enlargement will then also be possible.
Readers may remember that the territorial arrangement arrived at last year between Nugget and his rival, Muggle, was that the mutual boundary was the first hawthorn tree along the back drive. I therefore think that it was
Muggle I met along the back drive, providing me with “Where’s Muggle?” (1) and (2).
Among his other tasks this morning Aaron added more paving to his path linking Dead End to the patio.
One of the presents we had given Danni for her birthday was a large Ali Baba planter. These were being sold at Redcliffe Garden Centre. They were half price with a further reduction if you bought two. This had the Head Gardener thinking that she also needed one. We bought two.
This afternoon she potted up hers. Rocks and bricks covered in fleece provided the necessary drainage; the contents of two grow bags came next, and were followed by those of two and a half 50 litre compost bags. Then came the main permanent feature of the gaura with its small delicate pink and white blooms surrounded by pelargoniums, petunias, and other trailing plants which will extend to where the Head Gardener is indicating. Finally watering was required. The final picture gives the view of the pot enjoyed by anyone sitting on the white seat cleared yesterday in the Weeping Birch Bed.
Later, taking a bundle of black refuse bags and a letter delivered to our house, we visited Elizabeth and enjoyed a pleasant hour or so of socially distanced conversation in her garden.
On Bull Hill, donkeys and ponies favoured differing fodder. The smaller animals, of course, prefer prickly provender.
Our dining fare this evening consisted of piquant two varieties of pasta cheese; crispy bacon; roast potatoes, and mixed vegetables, with which the Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Malbec.
Ah-hah – I got the muggle spotted! And of course I’m glad you spotted the donkey and ponies!! That planter is nearly as tall as Jackie!
Thank you very much, GP. Well spotted. The gravel one was tough.
The Head Gardener looks thrilled with her new planter. It is rather splendid!
Thank you very much, Sheree
Jackie looks lovely! What a great smile!
Thanks very much, Leslie. Got me at first sight more than 50 years ago.
😍😍😍
That Ali Baba piece is very striking in the garden. Cute shot of Muggles (twice). It seems as if the ponies’ pasture is over grazed. Do they get hay or grain or lusher pasture access somewhere?
Thanks very much, Maj. Well spotted. Although the animals wander freely, they tend to remain in their familiar territory. I’m not aware of any other source of grass, but they will crop trees if necessary.
Jackie points out that the agisters do go out with bales of hay when necessary.
I thought something like that might be the case as they look well nourished. Thanks for clarifying.
Hard to beat pictures of flowers and Robins, but that donkey gives them a run for the money.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie.
Jackie smile is radiant! Fantastic photos Derrick. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you for reading and commenting as always, Jill.
I see little Muggle! If only there was an easy way to tell him and Nugget apart.
The head gardener has done a wonderful job filling the new planters with floral delights! Beautiful garden photos, Derrick and Jackie, and it is always good to see the donkeys and ponies, too.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Well spotted. Nugget has a little black spot on his red jersey, but we don’t get close enough to Muggle for that comparison.
Jackie has the best smile! Her whole face lights up.
I like that “Ali Baba” pot. And Jackie’s planting in it is beautiful.
“the jeweling of last night’s rain still glittering on the plants” described how everything looked here this morning. I think it was too humid for it to evaporate quickly, but everything sparkled.
Do you know if Muggle has a female companion and offspring?
We don’t know much about Muggle, Merril, he spends much of his time next door. Thank you very much.
The magic of sunlight!
Your garden is stunning!!!
Thank you very much, Amanda. So like yours
Best smile of the day.
Thanks very much, Gary.
I couldn’t help thinking that Jackie was tending to Ali Baba and the forty (or so) leaves!
Nice one, Linda. Thank you very much.
That is an impressively big pot. It will be hard work when the compost needs changing.
It will, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot.
I haven’t seen that colour pots here. They certainly are striking pieces for such beautiful garden as yours.
Thanks very much, Chrissy. They come in different colours.
Jackie’s new pot is stunning. As is Jackie’s smile!
Thank you very much, Sandra
What a joy! 🌸 With such a beautiful garden of course more robins wants to stay there 😉🐦 Muggles is very cute too 🐦😍
Thank you very much, Ribana
Oh, I love this – Jackie is so happy about her new, beautiful planter. It is stunning – but the plantings make it even more so. And are you telling me she is estimating how far down the plantings will trail? That is a detail I have never thought to try to plan. Very cool.
I found the Nugget imposter in both shots.
And that little donkey makes me smile. he looks like he is sniffing something delicious.
Thanks very much, Jodie. Well spotted. One of Jackie’s big disappointments before the lockdown restrictions were eased was that she couldn’t buy her trailing pot fillers.
: )
What a wonderful day. I am glad you have garden help. I am going to talk to Wrangler about getting me help next weekend.
A good idea, Mrs W. Thanks a lot.
Your welcome.
So that’s an Ali Baba planter! The arrangement looks great next to the ferns. The angel’s wings are amazing!
So pleased you noticed the ferns, JoAnna. Thanks very much.
Your garden in the morning is so lovely–no wonder Jackie always looks so happy in it–labor with a result. I found muggles in both pictures. Good thing you mentioned territory or I’d have mistaken him for Nugget.
That is the only way I could distinguish Muggle from Nugget. Thanks very much, Lisa.
The name Ali Baba is forever associated with Forty Thieves in my mind, so perhaps the bees are the thieves there. Mr Muggle is at the edge of the shadow, in the sunshine camouflaged by the gravel.
Well spotted, Uma. I wonder how many thieves could get onto one poppy. Thank you very much.
I love the photos of Jackie with her new Ali Baba planter!
Thanks very much, Liz.
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Your garden is so astonishing to me and your photos so pleasing and good, I don’t even know what to say much of the time!
That says a lot, Cynthia. Thank you very much.
What a welcome break from all of the turmoil and worry of our present days! You and Jackie are so fortunate to have such a wonderful pastime, with such gorgeous results.
We are indeed, Diane. Thank you very much.
Your garden is too beautiful for words. I can almost smell the soft scents and freshness from here in our cold South Africa right now. Jackie’s culinary creations make my mouth water!
Thanks very much, Carol.
I’ve never to my knowledge seen a planter like that. It must weigh a lot.
You should have seen us getting onto the back seat of the car – we had to make two trips – one at a time. Thanks very much, John.
Just as I think you couldn’t possibly fit anything more in your garden Jackie finds a little space! Gorgeous!
I was wondering, how is your mother? Is she remaining well?
Thanks very much, Sue. Mum is continuing well – confined to her room, but that is how she likes it. Elizabeth phones daily; Jacqueline 3 times a week; and I do occasionally.
I’m glad she’s doing well. thank you.
Fabulous. The Head Gardener looks so HAPPY!
Thank you very much, Andrew.
I love that pot.
Lovely views of garden.
The Ali Baba planter is beautiful! And it makes a wonderful showcase/home for those pretty plants! 🙂
Did the Ali Baba planter say “Open sesame” as it entered the garden!?! 😉 😀
Jackie’s joyful smile makes me grin! 🙂
OH, those beautiful horses, and that sweet little donkey sure made the day brighter! 🙂
Thank you!
And (((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much – as always, Carolyn X
The Ali Baba planter is beautiful – and Jackie was clearly in her element again 😊
Thanks very much, Helen
Your wife has the most beautiful contagious smile. I am so tired of ‘staged’ selfies, people laughing and smiling which seldom reaches their eyes. Jackie’s smile is never staged. Thank you for that.
So pleased you appreciate it. She has always been my muse, Bridget. Thank you very much
That’s the way it was meant to be 🙂
Ah, always such a pleasure to visit you and Jackie, take a peek at Nugget, see your lovely flowers (I can almost smell them) and then go with you to visit your friend and see the gorgeous horses! Thank yu, Derrick. I stole that beautiful photo of your sweet wife and put it on my blog with one of your roses today. Hope you don’t mind! The topic was “If You’re Happy … ” and of course, in sharing what makes me happy, I had to include you two and your lovely garden and your beautiful daily blog. I appreciate you so much! Have a wonderful week, Derrick. <3
Thank you so much, Jan. I am very pleased when you steal my pictures.
Oh good!! <3
Jackie is now the star of your blog with that smile 😉
Indeed. Thanks very much, Lisa.
The garden is looking better than ever, but I have never understood the inbuilt female drive to fill places with cushions and planters…
🙂 In your next home have a small garden and a large sofa. Thanks a lot, Quercus.
🙂
“the jeweling” I love that. Derrick your way with words never disappoints. What lovely, lovely photos of Jackie. Thank you for sharing that fabulous smile with us. I think the pot is splendid.
And thank you so much, Crystal.
Lovely flowers and cute donkey
Thank you very much, More.
This is one of my favourite sequences of pictures of your garden. Bravo to you and the Head Gardener.
And I appreciated the donkey picture too!
Thank you very much, Susan
That Ali Baba pot is huge! I am sure the Head Gardener has found a perfect place for it and its contents in your glorious garden, Derrick.
Muggle is perched on a tree in the very center of the first photo, while in the second he is sitting on the gravel path a bit left of the center, closer to the shadowed area.
Thank you very much, Dolly. Well spotted.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Dear derrick
The photos you took of Jackie are absolutely wonderful
Thank you so much, Yoshimi