This was a day of intermittent steady rain and occasional sunshine.
Jackie began, in the rain, by photographing her new planting in the Pond Bed. She plans to do this periodically to record its development.
Shortly before lunchtime, Elizabeth arrived with her gardening kit, brought the sun with her, and set about
weeding the Head Gardener’s Walk.
There were plenty of plants, like these sweet woodruffs, spilling over for her to transplant to her own garden.
In the first London Marathon of the modern era, this photograph by Mark Shearman shows the winners crossing the line hand in hand. Inevitably, fierce competition for kudos and for prizes has superseded this sporting gesture which Jackie and I were to emulate in our contest over reaching
the Ace Reclaim Bench in our weeding of the Shady Path.
Fork and trowel met to share the final removal. Jackie produced this selfie from beside the bench, which I photographed from beside the nearest
rhododendron in the Palm Bed opposite.
Serious rain set in after lunch, so my sister donned her hooded raincoat and continued her task. The third picture, “Where’s Elizabeth?” (1), contains the scented clematis Montana Mayleen making its way up the lopped cypress.
During a later sunshine break I was able to photograph Elizabeth’s work on both the Head Gardener’s Walk
and the Heligan Path. She gathered up her piles before departing.
Meanwhile Jackie photographed raindrops on
the rhododendron on the corner of the Lawn;
the red Japanese maple;
the grey Cinereria Angel’s Wings;
Pheasant’s Eye narcissi;
and aquilegia buds.
This evening we repeated yesterday’s dinner menu with roast parsnips replacing the green beans. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Recital.
Love the photograph of the two winners crossing the line together holding hands.
Thanks very much, Pat. Truly iconic and should be a metaphor for what is needed in today’s world.
Amen, Derrick.
Delightful shots of the work in progress, and yes, successfully ascertained “Where’s Elizabeth” (1). What fun!
Well spotted, Maj. Thanks very much.
Wonderful rainy-day photos, especially the ones with water droplets on leaves! The garden is looking really nice these days — how wonderful that you have Elizabeth’s help (especially weeding in front of the two hanging pots!).
Thanks very much, Janet
These are wonderful photos of the gardens and gardeners at work, Derrick and Jackie. The Pheasant’s Eye narcissi are particularly beautiful. I found Elizabeth left of the hanging plant. 🙂
I also love that photo of the marathoners from 1981. Wish there was more of that sort of camaraderie in the world.
Thanks very much from us both, Lavinia. Well spotted. That picture really should be a symbol for the world – but, as some have said, they would probably be disqualified today.
Your gardens are beautiful.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
A very productive day, despite the weather! Hope Elizabeth got some nice plants to take home ?
She was pleased with her haul, Val 🙂 Thanks very much
Many hands make light work [of gardening].
🙂 Thanks a lot, Sheree
All the hard work in your garden! Elizabeth is kind and dedicated to come work there through the rain. Great shot of those runners in 1981.
Thanks very much, Merril. That shot inspired me to train and run my first marathon the following year
Oh–interesting. The power of a photo!
Exquisite photo of the aquilegia buds. The Knights really know how to garden, and Elizabeth looks like she’s having a good time. You guys could sell tickets!
Thank you so much, JoAnna
So – I’m confused about your and Jackie’s dash for the bench. Were you the supportive runners of 1981 (Great photo!) or were you the competitive types of today? LOL So good to see Elizabeth. She looks wonderful. I hope she loves her sweet woodruffs as much as I do. Beautiful garden shots – your flowers and beds and paths constantly overwhelm me. Please don’t tell Elizabeth, but when I first saw her, I thought she was a gas grill with a cover on it. : )
Elizabeth will probably read this, Jodie – but she’ll appreciate the joke. Definitely supportive. 🙂 That 1981 finish is what got me into marathon running. I was never that competitive, although I did once engage in a sprint race to the end 🙂
Oh – that’s fascinating about the photo being your inspiration. I can surely see the appeal. I’ve often sprinted at the end of my little races. Several times I’ve run so hard I was afraid I would revisit my banana.
🙂
I’m glad Elizabeth brought some sunshine. Beautiful shots today, Derrick!
Thanks a lot, Jill
Wasn’t Elizabeth a trooper to help you and Jackie with the weeding! The garden is coming together very nicely after its winter’s rest. I love the photo of the fork and trowel meeting in triumph. A winning day all around!
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
It was a pity that that original spirit of shared fellowship disappeared under a mountain of commercial interest in later runnings. You may get disqualified for holding hands over the line these days.
Indeed, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
We seem to be experiencing the same sort of weather Derrick, ..
We do, Ivor. Cheers
I think we had fewer showers today but none of your sunshine. The photo of the runners from 1981 is such a moving one. I don’t believe that anyone would do that today. How good to see all three of you working away in the garden. I love weeding but such quantities of paths and beds to clear must be challenging.
It certainly is challenging, Clare. That 1981 scene is what got me into marathon running. 1982 was my first. Thanks very much
What a tie! You have produced befitting photographs of the contestants and the marathon winners in tandem. Elizabeth is the next level gardener! She is of course crouching in the upper right portion of the frame.
Thanks very much, Uma. Well spotted
I’m amazed at the way you keep up with all the weeding!
You only see what we have kept up with, Rosaliene 🙂 Thanks very much
A family that gardens together is a lovely, blooming family.
🙂 Thanks very much, Laurie
Your sister is bent down in front of the white hanging planter in the top left part of the photo.
Well spotted, Dolly. Thank you very much.
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Our Comrades Marathon used to be so moving to watch as runners helped each other to reach the end before the final cut-off. I remember watching my son and his friend doing just that, forfeiting a good time on their first marathon to help a much older runner towards the finish line. They would be disqualified now. I am SO glad you and Jackie have reached the end of that particular stretch of marathon weeding. Hooray for Elizabeth too for being prepared to soldier on in the rain!
Thank you very much Anne. I once ran a 20 mile race on very undulating terrain during which I was accompanied by an older man. He dropped back on the last steep stretch. I finished the race and ran back to him to keep him going. There was no physical aid involved. He made it.
Sometimes the company alone can help.
YAY! Elizabeth brought the sun! ☀️ And her smile is beautiful and warm and sunny, too! 🙂 How kind of her to help in the garden! 🙂
Wonderful photos, Jackie and Derrick! I especially like the ones that captured the jewel-raindrops on the flowers! 🙂
The photo of the bench is great…it has such character. I love benches. Oh, if they could talk! 🙂
My adult kiddos have participate in many walks and runs to raise money for charitable causes. They are all good runners. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much from us both, Carolyn X
The garden is looking absolutely beautiful. I always find the rain brings about such vivid colours.
How kind it was of Elizabeth to pop in and help. She looks so much like your mum.
She does, Sue. Thanks very much.
Those must be among the pinkest rhododendrons on the planet!
🙂 Thanks a lot, John
I really like the rusty bench. Garden growth going crazy now.
Thanks a lot, Andrew. Unfortunately the bench has rusted through in the middle, so will be moved and used as a planter.
A great shame!
How nice of your sister coming by to help out with the weeding. Despite the showers it looks as though you all had a good day!!
We did, GP. Thanks very much
Such a great team. Enjoy gardening and family time you all.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Looks like an excellent day, and gives us a lesson about cooperation.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
🙂
What a beautiful garden! It reminds me of my garden at our former residence. How I loved it!
Thank you very much, Mrs N.