This morning, while Jackie continued her general garden maintenance, including mowing the lawn, lulled by the gentle trill of birdsong and the tinkling trickle of water fountain, I enjoyed a dead heading session before wandering around with my camera.
Roses receiving attention included a peach climber; pink Mum in a Million at two of her stages of life; deep red centred For Your Eyes Only; lighter centred Summer Wine; golden yellow Absolutely Fabulous; pale pink Shropshire Lad and blushing Lady Emma Hamilton in their younger incarnations.
A Small White butterfly alighted on a verbena bonariensis between stems of Festive Jewel;
a comma stopped upon another;
a bee visited a salvia.
The first of these two white plants are hollyhocks grown from allegedly red seed; the second, Japanese anemones.
A pink version of the latter hides a lurking hoverfly.
Gauras, rudbeckia, and double lilies are all doing well.
The Lawn Bed and the Gazebo Path both sport splendid colour.
After lunch, we visited the Barbe Baker Museum shop in Lymington to buy some hand made birthday presents, then continued into the forest.
Ponies grazed on Hatchet Moor within sight of the eponymous pond and its waterlilies,
photographed by me,
and by Jackie,
who also captured the first of these cygnet images,
seen here with their parents.
I watched a wet dog return to the water where it attacked an inoffensive tree.
Its owner informed me that, like Becky’s Scooby, her animal would chase sticks thrown in the water, but never bring them back, so he resorted to replenishing the supply.
A pony foal wandered across the tarmac to the East Boldre end of St Leonard’s Road, and proceeded to accompany its mother in synchronised grazing.
Other members of the group did their best to block the road,
while another did her best to suck soup from the rapidly drying corner pool.
This evening we dined on roast chicken breasts; boiled new potatoes; and fresh salad, with which Jackie drank Greco di Tufo white wine and I drank Torre de Ferro Reserva Dao 2017.
Garden is looking great. Waer lillis are excellent. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Quercus
All in all, I’d say that you and Jackie had a wonderful day!! I can’t believe how vibrant and fresh your garden still looks! We’re definitely in waning territory around here.
It was a good one, Liz. Thank you so much.
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
So many beautiful photos, Derrick! ☺️??
Thanks a lot, John
Those are beautiful photos from your day, Derrick and Jackie. The pony foals are growing up quickly as the summer season is winding down. The pond full of lilies is particularly beautiful. That is a sweet doggie, too. 🙂
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
Your roses are as splendid as ever, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Beguilingly buccolic. Lovely pictures.
Thank you very much, Pat – perfect alliteration
HA! That doggie is having such fun! Dog vs Tree/Stick! Great photos of the action! 🙂
Wonderful photos today, Jackie and Derrick!!! Gorgeous flower faces! ‘Tis a joy to see the insects at work! That Hoverfly probably won the game of Hide and Seek! 😉 The water lilies are beautiful! The swan family and the ponies bring smiles! I always love seeing a pony wearing a sun-made shadow-blanket. 😉
Great title to this post!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…”Like the water lily I embrace my surroundings and bloom into a being unique.”
You certainly are unique, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Gauras are pretty flowers. We have had some before, but not this year. Seeing yours made me regret this.
We find they don’t take everywhere in the garden, but are beautiful where they do. Thank you very much, Tootlepedal
Wonderful photos by both you and Jackie today! I kept saying that’s my favorite, no that one. ?
I am pleased that there was a plethora of favourites, Merril. Thanks very much.
A fabulous day Derrick. I spent the day away from the garden in the city of Leicester.
Thanks very much, Andrew. I hope you had a good curry.
Actually yes. We were staying in Oakham with friends where there is a very good curry restaurant.
Leicester curries are exemplary.
Oh Derrick … your collection of photos today thoroughly brightened up my gloomy morning, and especially your swan photos, as I have just posted a new poem today and the “Featured Image” was one of your previous Sygnet photos from last year, what a wonderful coincidence ?
Now I have to trot to your post and read your poem, Ivor.
Thanks Yvonne
It certainly was a wonderful coincidence, much appreciated, Ivor.
Life is full of mysterious coincidences …
I enjoyed your poetry, Ivor. No place on your blog to leave a comment, so I’ll add it here. <3 Nice of Derrick to allow permission to borrow his photo. It's a beauty!
Thank you Jan for your kind words ??
The gazebo path is gorgeous, Derrick! Beautiful shots today. Thanks for sharing!
And thank you for your loyal support, Jill
Thank you very much, Ivor
So lovely to slow down with you and Jackie while maintaining the garden?
Thank you so much Val X
Photos of your wide variety of roses are always a treat 🙂
Much appreciated, Rosaliene. Thank you
Stunning photography
Thank you very much, Gary
Some dogs are just obsessed with sticks. Beautiful flowers and ponies. I like that bee, too. “…lulled by the gentle trill of birdsong and the tinkling trickle of water fountain,” sounds like paradise.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
Never had I ever heard of comma butterflies, and I found this information about them, along with some splendid images: “While the comma was once a rare sight in Britain, it is now the ultimate butterfly success story after having a huge increase in the last 40 years. It is believed climate change and the increase in temperatures are the reason this butterfly is thriving.”
That is interesting, Yvonne. Thanks very much
Amusing post today. Lovely pictures too.
Thank you very much, Sherry
Those water lilies are splendid.
Thanks very much, Laurie
It’s quite a mix of lovely pics in this album… I was wondering why the dog was chewing that branch until I read about it. How interesting!
I wondered too, Joycee. Thanks very much
The tinkling alliteration is a poetic narration of the audiovisual pleasures of the garden reinforced through images of gorgeous flowers. I have too witnessed synchronised grazing before and wondered. Thanks of those pony portraits.
Thank you so much, Uma
Those cygnets are doing very well.
Thank you very much, John
Love your ode to Monet
Thanks very much, Sheree
I love the colour of the roses. The whole garden is a colourful collection.
I’ve never seen a dog do that.
Nor had I. Thanks very much, Chrissy.
I wonder at what stage they separate the foals from their mothers. I imagine that some stage when the foals are older they’ll be sold on.
I loved the images of the dog in the water, and so determined to take back a stick, even if it is attached to a tree!
Thanks very much, Sue
I’ve been googling for the answer to that, Sue, and can’t find one. You have to be in the know to find a sale.
Thank you, Derrick.
You live in a little piece of Paradise on Earth – and you capture its beauty so magnificently with your photography skills. Thank you for sharing, {{{Derrick}}}. I loved seeing the dog and hearing you elaborate on its antics. The flowers are so beautiful…. and the horses are wonderful. What a delight!
Thank you so much, Jan X
The heat is taking a toll here. Our flowers are tired. When we get home I plan to buy mums to help make our place look sharp again.
I wish you well with it, Mrs W. Thanks very much
Thank you.
Amazing photos, Derrick, and the colors in your garden are glorious!
Thank you very much, Eugi
What a great title! I love your horses so carefree with space to roam. Your roses are gorgeous as well!
Dwight
Thanks very much, Dwight
Love those roses?. Everything is looking as lovely as ever.
Thank you very much, AnneMarie
I really love the flowers.
Thanks very much, Eunice.
My pleasure, Dad.
Your garden just “keeps on keeping on” – a storm doesn’t seem to upset any of the flowering plants – magic
Thank you so much, Catherine. There is enough in it to cover the damage.
The garden is really a piece of heaven ????
Thank you so much, Ribana
YOur pictures are lovely, Derrick. You live in a wonderful place.
Thank you so much, Robbie. We are very lucky