This morning, while on a daffodil dead-heading session.
I also pulled up swathes of Sticky Willies along the Back Drive. These sinuous weeds climb everywhere and if not deracinated will reach the tops of the highest shrubs, bearing clusters of white flowers.
Afterwards I wandered back with the camera on this overcast morning.
The daffodils have been late to bloom and struggled to linger this year, but there were still quite a few to dead head.
The forget-me-nots sharing that first daffodil picture, like those accompanying the Spanish bluebells in the first of the next trio of images, proliferate in the garden; as do the English/Spanish hybrids.
Honesty is cropping up everywhere, as in the Patio Bed and behind the mossy stumpery with its yellow cowslips.
Lichen blooming on the bench beneath the pieris on the lawn, and bleeding hearts on the West Bed managed to add splashes of colour.
This afternoon the sun did put in fairly regular appearances, so Jackie and I took a forest drive,
where it set the gorse glowing on the moorland flanking Wilverley Road, up which
a group of energetic ponies trotted at an unusual pace for them.
I had hoped that they would pause for a drink in the pool, but they were more interested in slowing the traffic.
Further down the hill another pony did slake its thirst, while
others continued trotting through the undergrowth.
This afternoon we all dined on well cooked pork chops coated with almonds and mustard; with creamy mashed potato; crunchy carrots, and succulent peppers, with which Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Shiraz.
Beautiful photos all around, Derrick, have a wonderful weekend guys! ☺️????????
Thanks very much, John
I didn’t add the question marks…
an emoji got at by WP.
Your ponies look unusually energetic. I’m impressed how many of the plants in your garden you can name. As always, dinner sounded wonderful. Does Jackie hire out?
Thanks very much, Pat. You are right – they were particularly energetic today – a rare sight. Jackie has her work cut out with us 🙂
Amazing gallery with fine compositions Derrick.
Thank you very much, Rupali
The final picture was a particular treat.
Thank you very much, Tootlepedal
Wow… My daffodils haven’t even shown their face, never mind dead-heading them! I love how our climates are so different. And I love those ponies…
Thank you very much, Dale
????
I didn’t realise we needed to deadhead daffodils! The ones Graham planted along the lane are dying off but a beautiful large bunch at the bottom of the driveway is only just beginning to bloom, normally they all bloom together.
Lovely pony pictures.
I hadn’t either. Jackie has always done it on her way round without me noticing. It ensures that the bulbs get the benefit of the stems – seeds take longer to proliferate. Thanks very much, Sue
Thank you for telling me. I’ll do that from now on.
The header photo is the winner out of this group! I would even call it magical.
I’m so pleased, Liz. I thought it could stand alone. Thank you very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Gorgeous shots, Derrick. I love the header photo. It would make a wonderful puzzle.
Thank you very much, Jill
These ponies are especially beautiful. Maybe they have spring in their steps. The colors are very complementary.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
How good to sense a cheerfulness underlying this post and reflected in the pictures. I hope you are both well and filled with renewed energy.
We are, thank you so much, Anne
That’s a delightful picture of the two white ponies galloping towards the camera.
An all-time favourite of mine, John. Thank you very much
Some great pictures, but my favourite bit was “Honesty is cropping up everywhere”. Compared to what I see on the news the irony was so great I laughed out loud.
I’m so pleased you got that, Quercus. Thanks very much
🙂
Such beauty!
Ha! Love that honesty is cropping up everywhere. That tickled me, but it would certainly be seriously great it were happening in politics, etc.
Love love love the pony photos! Absolutely amazing! Especially the 2 in action just for you!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
PS…read my comment as if they were sprinkled with smiley faces.
Thank you so much, Carolyn. I’m pleased you got that. X
I was happy to see I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know daffodils should be deadheaded. Well, we will have our work cut out for us next spring! I supposed tulips, too.
I also laughed at the honesty remark.
I love the ponies and the glowing gorse–both in your stunning final/header photo.
Thank you so much for all this, Merril
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Lovely captures as usual Derrick. Nice to see those blooms in your garden.
Thank you very much, Arlene
That last picture is one for the books, Derrick!! Magnificent beasts they are!!
Thanks very much, GP. I was very pleased with that one.
Always enjoy the ponies and garden pics. The daffodil was a beautiful shot. Hope you’re having an excellent weekend. Rainy and chilly here…London weather (whatever that is)
Thanks very much, Steve
The header image is absolutely amazing! Wow!
Thank you so much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
The pair of white ponies is splendid. It certainly deserved to be featured. The primary focus on the leading pony is especially effective.
I am pleased you noticed all that, Linda. Thank you very much.
I enjoyed the virtual walk through your garden, Derrick and Jackie. Our daffodils were late to bloom as well, and are now struggling to linger in warmer weather. It was 88 degrees here yesterday!
The forest drive with that beautiful expanse of gorse was a treat. The ponies are looking sleek now in their new summer coats.
Thank you veery much, Lavinia
You got some amazing shots of the ponies.
Thank you so much, Robbie
Chickens eat sticky willy Derrick, get some chickens as pets mate.
Thank you very much, Over Soil
Everywhere starting to look very spring like
Indeed. Good morning, Sheree – and thank you very much
My pleasure Derrick
A beautiful day!
Thank you very much, Ribana