This morning, while the Head Gardener continued her autumn clearances, I followed in her wake, collecting, chopping, and composting clippings. The exercise was most delightful when focussed on the Pond Bed, savouring the liquorice flavour released from the statuesque bronze fennel and listening to the tinkling trickle of the water feature. Small birds are beginning to tweet again; pigeons continually exchange melodic love-notes; a biplane droned overhead. Tramping over crunching gravel on the back drive was less harmonious.
The bronze fennel is a very prolific self-seeder, so after lunch I cut down and composted much more of it. The pelargoniums in the second picture are in a hanging basket, which is why they stand above the much taller plant. The bed still contains
other pelargoniums, dahlias, and chrysanthemums.
Nearby, in the Wisteria Bed, these pink roses are blooming again.
Keeping with the pink, we have fuchsias Display and Garden News.
Super Elfin, red, Penny Lane, white roses, and clematis Dr Ruppel still scale the Gothic arch.
Fortunately these everlasting sweet peas are almost finished for this year, because many of the stems were bound to the fennel I removed from the Weeping Birch Bed.
More dahlias thrive in the New Bed.
It is now the larger Cabbage White butterflies that have taken the place of the Small Whites on the verbena bonariensis.
Paul Clarke dropped in for a pleasant chat and to return borrowed books while driving a sleeping Margery back from Bournemouth this afternoon.
Later, we took a drive into the forest, where Jackie visited Hockey’s Farm Shop, while
I photographed an old farm cart that isn’t going anywhere.
The stream at Ogdens North is now dry enough for me to step across quite easily. The pony in the last two of these pictures was so keen to make my acquaintance that I had to back away sharply to photograph the persistent creature which abandoned my face for he sparse grass underfoot.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s tasty liver and bacon casserole; al dente carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli; with tender runner beans. She drank Hoegaarden and I drank Calvet Prestige Bordeaux 2018.
The ponies look sleek going into autumn. Sounds like you had a real friendly one there! 🙂
Certainly did, Lavinia. Thinking of you both constantly. X
The garden is still lovely for Fall. And now I know how you get all the pictures of ponies!! You must charm them – why else would they want to get close enough to kiss you?!!
🙂 Thank you so much, GP
I always like photos of old machinery, equipment and wheeled vehicles. Yours in this post are no exception.
Me too!
Thank you both very much.
I’m partial to old machinery, equipment, and wheeled vehicles myself!
So many interesting textures and colours
Yes!!
Thanks very much, Maj.
I love old farm equipment.
What a lovely day you shared.
Thank you very much, Sue
Your garden must smell amazing, as well as look so. I love the photo of the pink roses and the gothic arch. So funny about the friendly pony. You can tell they are used to people.
All the roses were selected for scent. The ponies are certainly used to attention – and being fed and photographed, Merril. Thanks very much.
I liked the studies of the farm cart.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal
So many gorgeous photographs, Derrick. I think you made a new friend with the pony. Perhaps he thought you had a carrot for him.
You are right about the carrot. Thanks a lot, Jill
I love your garden…it looks like a oasis in these times…
Thanks very much, Cedar
I really enjoyed the photos of the cart. That wheel’s certainly the ‘star’ of the show!
Nice one, Linda. Thanks very much.
Really like the pictures of the cart.
Thanks very much, Laurie
I liked the Cabbage White butterfly photo as well! (You get some good butterfly photos.)
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The wheel is amazing. Great photos Derrick as always
Thank you very much, More
You’re welcome Derrick
Beautiful garden and pony photos, Derrick. You had fun with the old cart. ?
I did, Sylvia. I have often looked at the cart. This time I focussed on it. Thanks very much.
Another beautiful set of photos Derrick. We are just coming into Spring now and it is so lovely to see new growth.
Love to you both. Hope your keeping well. Gay
Thanks very much, Gay. We are keeping well – although the numbers are small Covid is on the rise again. Love to you both, too.
When I was a young lad, those sorts of old farm equipment would be a favourite of mine….” to go clambering all over, and mum would have to drags away…” !!
🙂 So that is why they have the notice, Ivor. Thanks very much.
Yep .. for those little cheeky kids…!!
Your description of working in the Pond Bed is powerful. I am not surprised that ponies feel the reciprocatory pull towards their avid shooter.
Thank you so much, Uma.
Thank you Derrick for the wonderful photos. They bring your world into my home 🙂
And thank you for appreciating them, Lakshmi
I join the chorus of approval of the photographic exploration of the old farm equipment.
Thanks very much, Anne. Clearly I must do some more.
The well-seasoned cart is wonderful! Oh, if it could talk…the stories it would tell!
I hope people pay attention to the sign…it would a shame for someone(s) to cause it any harm.
The horses look peaceful! I love how they can go about their business and still be aware of what is going on around them. 🙂
All the pink flowers you shared today brought smiles! Tickled pink! Pretty in pink! Think pink! In the pink! 🙂
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…your vivid poetic words in this post got my senses going…sight, smell, sound, taste!
Thanks very much for the PS especially, Carolyn. I tend not to focus enough on all the senses.
delightful ponies. your garden continues to flourish! something special about old machinery and tools. they tell a good story! 🙂
They do, don’t they, Lola? Thanks very much
I love the obvious common sense sign it makes me wonder what took place that they had to put up a sign ??
Children would love to clamber over it. Thanks a lot, msw.
Very, true, and that sounds like a parenting talk about safety and respecting others property 😉
🙂
I love that beautiful fuchsia!
Thanks very much, Amanda
No worries!
Great pictures from your garden, as always, Derrick. I wouldn’t have thought to climb on that old cart unless the sign was there – that’s a twist!
Understandable 🙂 Thanks very much, Barbara
That Gothic arch looks still beautiful ? Maybe the pony was looking for some carrots ??
They do hope to be fed, Ribana. 🙂 Thanks very much.
Looks like a beautiful day.
Thanks a lot, Mrs W
Your welcome.
The friendly pony obviously hasn’t gotten the message regarding social distancing.
Your roses are lovely, both pink and white, Derrick, and the first paragraph, where you have given your readers a multisensory experience, is very enjoyable.
Thank you so much for all this, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.