Ian joined us after lunch when Jackie and I bought provisions from Ferndene Farm Shop, where I
photographed their displays of bedding plants and cut flowers.
We then took a drive into the forest where daffodils enhance many verges.
Jackie caught me in her wing mirror returning from photographing a bank of them off Ringwood Road.
She also photographed a pheasant inspecting a log, while I focussed upon a group of fidgety rheas.
Flo has spent some time during the last two days raking up branches felled by recent storms and
piling them up at the end of the back drive.
This evening we dined on Becky’s succulent roast chicken; technicolour carrots; firm broccoli and tasty gravy; with Jackie’s crisp roast potatoes. Mrs Knight and Mr Steele both drank Côtes de Provence Rosé 2020; Becky and I both drank La Orphic Monastrell 2020.
Rheas seem such extraordinary animals to find in the UK – I wonder what they are kept for?
You certainly have some very good help clearing your storm damage; and it sounds as though the Culinary Queen has help in the kitchen too! 🙂
Yes. We are getting lots of help, Emma. As Dolly Parton might say – just because they can, I think
I wasn’t expecting to be up close and personal with an ostrich-like creature today!
Neither were we, Liz. 🙂 Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Autumn has arrived here and last week I planted pansies so I was fascinated with seeing pansies in the displays of Spring plants. Pansies are non-existent here at the beginning of Spring. How peculiar. Beautiful photos again.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
I can see why you’re such regulars at Ferndene
Love the rheas. The first picture shows the bird with ‘tude.
Thanks a lot, Pat
Wow, Flo has been building a huge pile of debris, great job, Flo! 😎🇬🇧
Thanks a lot, John
Pretty flowers, lots of good clean up work accomplished, and, well, those interesting rheas. We’re with Emma, why do folks keep rheas? (Meat, eggs, feathers?)
I think it is just because they can, Maj
Makes sense, Derrick!
The northern hemisphere’s spring time daffodils also fascinated me Derrick, when I was in New York and Philadelphia 3 years ago … hmmm .. it’s already been 3 years !!
Thank you so much, Ivor
The daffodils are beginning to pop up in Philadelphia now!
Yeah .. thanks Merril, I’ll chat to my Philadelphia cousins over the next couple of days, for St Partricks Day .. they are Irish decendants ..💚🍀
Enjoy!
Planting season will be in full swing soon. Great photographs.
Thanks very much, Bridget
Wonderful picture from both of you. Glad Flo is able to help out the master gardener.
Thank you very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Great pics..We have ostriches and emus on farms here in New England, but I had never heard of rheas. They seem a bit smaller than ostriches?
-Julie
Yes, they are smaller, Julie. Thank you very much
How lovely to see the rheas. We used to know someone who kept a flock, though I never got closeup to them.
I’m delighted that Flo is as happy in the garden as you and Jackie are,
So are we, Sue. Thank you very much
The farm shop flowers are very impressive, but, if anything, I think the wild daffodils are even more striking.
Those wild daffodils are everywhere. Thanks very much, John
Every garden needs a Flo.
Yes, indeed, Tootlepedal. Thanks very much
The flowers are so gorgeous, Derrick. They make me want to head out to the garden center.
Thanks very much, Jill
Flo did a lot of work with a smile. 🙂 Picking up sticks and twigs is a never-ending job in my backyard urban forest.
Thanks very much, JoAnna. She was very pleased to do it
Fun to see Flo’s bright face! Must be great to have her help in the garden.
It certainly is, especially as Martin has tested positive for Covid. Thank you very much, Laurie
Oh, gosh! I’ve heard that Covid is on the rise again. Restrictions dropped too soon, I think. I know I’m not getting rid of my mask anytime soon.
We don’t get enough rheas in Yorkshire. Beautiful flowers.
Thanks very much, Gary
Never seen a rhea before! Awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!
I also love the flower photos!
I am growing and eating broccoli too!
Thank you very much, Sweet
Your visitors take to gardening like a fish to water: such is the aura of your establishment. You have been caught with camera in the microcosm of the wing mirror. Some bipeds have really long necks.
Thank you very much, Uma
I couldn’t figure out the combination of avian and antipodean, so I sought a little information on the Rheas — now I’ve got it! I would have thought ‘ostrich,’ but no matter. The Rheas are equally compelling creatures.
When we first saw them we thought they were emus until a reader put us right. Thanks very much, Linda
I love daffodil season and spring flower displays in garden centers. The flower photos are very restful to look at. The rheas are interesting birds.
You have a good garden helper in Flo, Derrick and Jackie! Those are sweet photos of her.
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
Your pictures give us an idea of why visits to Ferndene feature so regularly in your posts. Our local nursery is very small by comparison. It is wonderful having some extra help in the garden too 🙂
Thank you very much, Anne. Ferndene has supermarket prices, too
Those flowers are so bright and colorful, and the “avian antipodeans” were unexpected. I like how Jackie caught your image in the mirror.
Thank you very much, Merril
A great day out you two!!
Thanks very much from us both, GP
What fascinating pictures of the rheas and Jackie’s capture of you in the mirror is excellent.
Thank you very much, Eugi
A nice set of shots.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Gorgeous and colorful flowers! Spring is coming 🌸😉
Thank you so much, Ribana
What an interesting juxtaposition of creatures and flowers and woman at work. Fun post.
Thank you very much, Cynthia
Nice that Flo is there to help out with spring cleanup. 💞
It really is, AnneMarie. Thank you very much