Rain yesterday had prevented me from photographing Martin’s garden work.
First he completed the tidying of the Back Drive. When our neighbours put up a new section of the fence between us the hook retaining our five barred gate disappeared. Martin fitted a new one, straightened the last of the line of bricks, removed refuse from beyond the gate, and transplanted some geraniums to brighten the bank opposite the raised bed.
Next, he cut the grass, then
weeded the Phantom Path and the southern half of the Brick Path.
Early this morning Jackie and I took a brief drive along the lanes to the east of the forest,
where wild flowers pack the verges, like these on the lane approaching Portmore;
and on the narrow section of Jordans Lane,
featuring a hole for a gate cut into a conifer hedge, and a horse and hound weather vane.
After lunch Jackie finished planting violas to complete the aforementioned Raised Bed, which she photographed herself.
We still have many camellias, a Vulcan magnolia, and burgeoning rhododendrons.
This evening we dined on fillet steaks, oven chips, and peas, with which Jackie finished the Cabernet Sauvignon and I drank Bordeaux Supérieur 2019.
Beautiful pictures.
Thanks very much, Eunice
🙏🙏
Al metnioend flowers have bloomed somewhat ahead of yours. The garden paths at your home and flowered verges look lovely.
Martin is continuing to demonstrate that he is value added. So does Jackie
😀. A forest ride makes a good day better. Nice.👍👏
Thanks very much, Pat
It looks a beautiful day. Portmore Lane looks lovely–as do your garden paths, and your garden.
The gate in the hole cut into the conifer hedge is quite amazing to me.
Thanks very much, Merril. The gate smacks of The Secret Garden
Yes, it does. It’s so intriguing, and I really want to open it.
Nice images, like the raised beds of Jackie’s. Wish we had some like that. Oh, and what a wonderful gate. Do you normally keep it closed to keep the free range livestock out?
Thanks very much, Maj. We are just outside the forest boundary (less than a mile) so cattle grids keep the animals away
Wonderful to see a garden so full of life, Derrick.
Thanks very much, VJ
Jackie’s raised bed IS lovely.
As are the wild flowers on the verges. And of course your lovely garden – it’s so good to see it waking up for the season… thanks to all the hard work!
Thank you so much, Emma
Everything is looking fab
Thanks very much, Sheree. We’ve just been talking about your magnificent doors collection.
Thank you
I love the header photo! The scene looks so inviting. Martin did a fantastic job on your garden
He did a great job. I am glad you two got help.
Thanks very much, Bridget. It is essential now
He’s made a really great job of cutting that grass!
Thanks very much, John
Oh! So beautiful! Martin is doing great work! YAY, Martin! 🙂
Love the hedge-gate, the horse’n’hound weather vane AND Jackie’s raised flower bed!
Sounds like a lovely day! Hope you all get a good night’s sleep/rest tonight!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. We did sleep X
Gorgeous shots today. Portmore Lane is beautiful. Thanks for taking us along, Derrick.
Much appreciated, Jill
A job well done.
Thanks very much, Lindsey
I love the walkway. In my novels one of my characters owns a plant nursery. I always picture the garden that Jackie has made so lovely when I write.
How lovely, Leslie. Thanks very much.
Thank you!
Beautiful!
Thank you very much, Rosaliene
The garden is lovely. And those lanes are utterly enchanting! They are preparing for the May queen.
Thank you so much, Laurie
Ah, your garden is in full swing already! Everything is so lovely and just packed with beauty. Your hard work over all of these years has really paid off.
And oh, that arched gate entryway cut out of the hedge just makes my soul sing! Isn’t that wonderful?
Thank you so much, Jodie. That gate makes me think of The Secret Garden
YES! Exactly!
It’s a gloomy and wet autumn day here Derrick and your colourful photos have definitely brightened my morning up ..
Your yard is looking so tidy. I loved the photos from your drive – especially the opening in the hedge for the gate. You are blessed to live in such a charming area. 💞
I think I could walk along those verges often and slowly, stopping to gaze at the loveliness. Same goes for your garden pathways.
Me, too, JoAnna. You would have to be careful when cars went by without much space to pass 🙂 Thanks very much.
I’ll keep that in mind: watch out for cars wile adoring the verges. 🙂
Your garden is truly lovely.
I’ve never seen such a hedge gate. It’s quite wonderful; I can imagine every sort of wonder behind it!
The garden does look transformed all over. You may want to summon Mr Martin at an increased frequency in future. The secret gate you discovered in the hedge looks magical.
Thanks very much, Uma. Unfortunately Martin. lives a 45 minute drive away so it is only really worth his coming for a long stint which we can’t afford any more often.
I can understand that.
Beautiful photos.
The UK should pay you two for advertising the beauty of living there!
Thank you so much from us both, GP
Beautiful photos! Very colorful and springlike. I love the weather vane.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Martin does very nice work, and I love Jackie’s plantings in the new raised bed. I am glad they let your verges bloom over there. They are so lovely in spring. The photos are beautiful and uplifting, Derrick and Jackie!
Thank you very much from us both, Lavinia
Rain. I would love some rain. The garden is parched.
That is a surprise, Andrew. Thanks very much
I don’t keep records but there has been very little rain here in at least four weeks. The hosepipe is working overtime.
Your garden is a treat for the eyes.
Thank you very much, Alys
Yay! Sounds like life is back to a semblance of normal. So glad! I loved the colorful flowers along the verges – and your garden definitely is coming to life. Hooray! Your dinner sounded yummy…
Thank you so much, Jan
Absolutely gorgeous! That gate cut into the conifer hedge is so lovely!
Thank you very much,Ribana