I began another gloomy-looking day by printing a batch of photographs for my sister, Jacqueline, including
this one of her son, my nephew James and his son Shay at Michael and Heidi’s wedding on 5th October 1991.
Our blogging friend Carolyn began a comment on “Her Autumn Garden” with
a poem which I printed for Jackie to stick on her fridge. She photographed both it and a series of behind the scenes locations.
From the east front gate we see the Head Gardener’s Shed, greenhouse, and
potting up station where, perched on her kneeler she fills containers in the wheelbarrow from the fresh compost bags.
Behind the shed various implements are stored, and beside it potted items await their permanent homes.
Plants in need of more nurturing begin their lives in the greenhouse, also seen
beside the wisteria arbour.
Accessed from the west gates beside the house
the front garden contains a strengthened arch.
Later, we shopped at Otter Nurseries for Sharp Sand, pansies, and a hose attachment; posted Jacqueline’s photographs from Everton Post Office; and continued for a short forest drive.
Attracted by a fallen giant at Lucy Hill, I disembarked and scrambled into the
woodland where earlier casualties were in the process of being absorbed into last autumns leaves on the forest floor or draped in undergrowth to aid their decomposition and provide winter quarters for various insects and other small creatures;
and bracken was beginning to shrivel and turn golden brown.
Ever perverse, the sun waited for me to return to the Modus before sending weak streaks across the fallen leaves and silhouetting trees opposite.
Finally Jackie pointed out a door in a tree trunk behind which a Hobbit may have set up home.
This evening we enjoyed our second helpings of yesterday’s Chinese takeaway with which Jackie drank more of the Pinot Grigio and I drank Chevalier de Fauvert Comte Tolosan Rouge 2019.
Thanks for showing me the Back 40, Derrick!
And thank you for reading, John
I love to visit Knight time
Your kingdom is enchanted
So is your Head Gardener.
???????
Thank you so much, Pat
I love to visit Knight time
Your kingdom is enchanted
So is your Head Gardener.
???????
Many people use a gloomy day as an excuse to lounge around the house and do nothing…not you and Jackie!
I love that! My Mamaw always told me if you stop moving, it gets harder to get going again.
Your Mama was right. Thanks very much, Jill
Jill – I lke that advice form mamaw – keep moving indeed 🙂
beautiful poem by Carolyn! there are flowers everywhere, even behind the scenes!
Thanks you so much, Lola
Thank you, Lola! Jackie’s smile, all the TLC and hard work she puts into the garden just brings me so much joy! It was fun to write the poem for her! 🙂
That poem is perfectly suited for Jackie. That drive was interesting. I know I have said it before, but you live in such an enchanting corner of the world!
Thank you so much, AnneMarie
Sounds like a worthwhile and pleasant day.
It was, thanks very much, Chrissy
I am impressed by how much content your garden has. I expect that there is a hidden bandstand and a full size swimming in there somewhere.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal. Did you spot the tennis court?
No, I missed that. Dash.
🙂
I have always felt the same way. There is SO much going on that I feel like their property must be immense!
Gardening command central! I love the photo “Trees in silhouette, particuarly when biggified. The voids beneath their lower branches form a very interesting pattern.
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
My favorite too.
Great minds, eh? 😀
Your finale photo is intriguing Derrick, and definitely one I shall save into my ‘Derrick File’
Thanks very much, Ivor. I hope you have fun with it.
I’m sure I will Derrick …
I enjoyed seeing different perspectives of your garden, a glimps of the dragon, and the sweet poem about the Garden Queen. And I love the little door at the base of the trunk. It tickles my imagination!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Thank you, JoAnna! Jackie brings such joy to all of us! It was fun to write a poem for her! 🙂
🙂
I am thinking how those back of the scene nooks and corners would have interested me more as a child. They have their own stories to tell. Carolyn has written a perfect poem.
Thank you so much, Uma
Thank you, Uma! I enjoyed writing the poem for Jackie! She brings us all so much joy! 🙂
She certainly does. ?
There something very majestic about those huge fallen trees. Excellently well captured young fella.
Thanks a lot, John, mate
I have enjoyed going behind the scenes today – the engine room of the beautiful garden spectacles we usually enjoy.
Thank you very much, Anne
Fabulous forest photos Derrick
Thank you very much, Sheree
You’re very welcome Derrick
Loved the visit backstage, thank you.
Well done Jackie for spotting the magical door to Fairyland!
Thanks a lot, Sue.
It must have been a different world when the Fallen Giant was a little sapling. Henry VII, or around then, perhaps?
Could well be – the biggest we have seen
Thanks a lot, John
What a sweet father and daughter photo! And taken at such a special beautiful event! I’m sure this photo brings many precious memories to all of your family! 🙂
I’m so humbled and honored that my poem is on your ‘frig! That makes me smile SO BIG! 🙂
Jackie, I hope when you see the poem you are reminded of how beloved you are! You bring so much beauty, joy, kindness, hope, compassion, ETC, to the world AND to WordPress! 🙂
Love the Behind the Scenes photos! 🙂
Your forest photos are always some of my faves! There is such beauty and magic in the forest! Love the little door! 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you so very much from us both, Carolyn X
You’re both very welcome! 🙂 <3
Carolyn – we also LOVED your poem over here at the prior house house 🙂
Aw, thank you so much! 🙂 It was such a joy to write about/for Jackie! I don’t think she and Derrick realize the great joy they bring to so many of us! 🙂
(((HUGS))) to you!
Thanks for the reply! And Carolyn – Would it be okay if I share this poem in a post later this fall? I am going to be featuring a mini interview with Derrick and this would be really nice to include ?
Sure! Wow! I’m honored and humbled! And so glad you will feature Derrick and Jackie! Very cool! 🙂
yes – i am still planning a few things – but will bookmark this post to let you know when it unfolds more –
have a great day carolyn and thanks for the replies here
Oh, I would love for you to let me know! Thank you! 🙂
You’re welcome! Hope you are having a wonderful whee-kend! 😉 Whee!!! 😀 Find the fun or make some fun! 😛
hahaha A love the “whee-kend” idea! and having a pleasant one indeed – thx
🙂
I’m celebrating my birthday this week so there is some Whee!-ing going on! HA!
I blogged about my birthday and asked everyone to do something to celebrate! I hope you will do something fun to celebrate with me, too! 🙂
having some vanilla ice cream (keto version) in your honor – because birthdays are wheelie special – and hope your birthday week is a great one
Aw, fun! Thank you so much! 🙂
A lovely family portrait with many memories attached to it, I’m sure.
Thank you for the garden tour. I’m with Tootlepedal–so much to your garden. I think I did see the tennis courts. ?
I particularly like the woodland photos–the trees in silhouette and the large fallen tree amongst the ones still standing.
Thank you so much, Merril
I don’t think it is a Hobbit door, more likely to bean Elf.
No doubt. Thanks a lot, Andrew
thank you for the back yard tour.
And you for following, Bridget
A very interesting post Derrick! Your gardeners seem to have a great place to do their work. What is Sharp Sand?
I enjoyed your forest drive and the little Hobbit Hole!
Thanks very much, Dwight. The sand is to mix with compost for planting
Quite fine sand, for horticultural use, I like to mix it with compost to use for taking cuttings, and I’m taking a lot of cuttings at this time!
Thank you for the further clarification. I had never heard of Sharp Sand before!
This is delightful to see behind the scenes and how it operates as a fine-tuned machine. I love the little Hobbit Hole – how magical!
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Always fascinating to sneak a look behind the scenes, Derrick. The hobbit home attracted attention as well.
Thank you so much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Love that little door!
Thanks a lot, Laurie
I especially like the last one, the hobbit door. When I was little I believed mushroom circles where fairies’ seats.
I bet you weren’t alone, Sherry. Thanks very much
I see that too sherry! hahah
Oh I always enjoy the garden photos you share and I love the poem you printed from Carolyn – so fitting for the full and rich time of year for many gardens
—
and like the photo from the 1991 wedding
Thank you very much, Yvette
???
So cool to see how Jackie gets it all done. Thanks for sharing that. And I agree – that tree looks like it has a little door in it!
Thanks very much, Jodie
xo
That is a beautiful poem from Carolyn, and I enjoyed all the scenes of Garden Central. Jackie is amazing for all she does!
Thank you so much, Lavinia
https://www.hobbitontours.com/ – you can compare your doorway here….
Thank you for the link, Catherine. As has been suggested, our door is more likely for an elf.
Even behind the scenes it looks great ??
Thank you very much, Ribana