Dawn skies over Downton presaged similar weather to yesterday,
especially when casting its light on Becky’s aptly named painting of a ‘Troll in a Storm’ – although when brightening Giles’s stained glass it appeared more optimistic.
The elements did follow yesterday’s pattern although without the rain which only threatened with the occasional forbidding frown.
While Jackie completed her work on the Brick Path
I concentrated my clearing and bagging up of refuse, my dead heading, and my weeding on the Back Drive where
day lilies, honeysuckle, and roses now look somewhat tidier; and
insect life, like Red Admiral butterflies
and crickets, seems to be returning.
Tired as she was, Jackie was able to bale out yesterday’s waterlogged wheelbarrow and continue her planting after lunch.
This evening we all dined on tempura and hot and spicy prawn preparations on a bed of Jackie’s colourful savoury rice topped with a thick and tasty omelette, with which she drank more of the rosé and I drank Moldovan Merlot, part of Becky and Ian’s Father’s Day set.
Lovley skies Derrick. I saw peacock butterflies in Germany a couple of years ago.
Thanks very much, Sherry. As Tootlepedal pointed out, that was a Red Admiral (Jackie had seen a Peacock earlier`0
Beautiful pictures from the day. I don’t think my garden tasks leaves me smiling like that.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Even here, I am expecting more butterflies in the coming days. So far, they have been a welcome exception rather than the rule.
I love love LOVE that photo of Jackie!!! Give her a hug from me. ????❤️ …oh, and your garden is gorgeous, Derrick! ????
Thank you so much, Jan X
Jackie is a keeper. Garden shows the love and care.
Thanks very much, Pat
Lovely photo of the Head Gardener at work
Thanks very much, Sheree
Possibly a red admiral and not a peacock but very welcome all the same. We haven’t seen one in our garden for some weeks after the early flush.
Of course, Tootlepedal. I’m off to correct now.
Great work, Jackie! And your beautiful smile always makes me smile! ❤️
Great photos, Derrick! The skies, the capturing of the light, the garden, the plants and flowers, and the little bugs!
I get excited every spring and summer when the butterflies, bees, crickets, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and dragonflies return from their winter vacation! (wink, wink)
The mosquitoes could stay gone if they want to…but, oh well, they return in the summer. (eek!)
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
I didn’t think Jackie ever got tired. And even so, she pushed on through!
Perhaps the return of insects will also bring more visits from Nugget’s progeny.
Thanks very much, Gwen. We fear the magpies have done their worst
ooooohhhhhhh…
The brick path is looking absolutely superb Derrick … well done Jackie and the ‘crew’ …
Thank you very much from us both, Ivor
You have honeysuckle, too, one of my favorites in the fragrance department!
We do. Two more also. Liz, Thank you very much
Well done with the cleanup!
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
we do not seem to have those beautiful butterflies in NZ.
Tank you very much, Sylvie
The brick path looks great! Your garden is impressive. You’ve both earned a rest.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
All that hard work, and Jackie seems unfazed by the weather or insects. I love your brick paths, especially 2.
Thanks very much, Merril
I enlarged the picture to get a better look at Becky’s Troll in a Storm. Really liked it! Full of movement. Also beautiful path and butterfly. Hope Jackie got some rest.
Thank you so much, Laurie. Jackie had a good night’s sleep and got in the garden again this morning. Becky made that painting when she was 6.
Six years old? Oh, my gosh! Glad Jackie had a good night’s sleep.
Thanks very much, Laurie
The path looks beautiful!
Thank you very much, Jill
Beautiful photos and I love your captures of the moody sky. Jackie’s pretty smile is most contagious.
Me too. It’s always great to see Jackie here. <3
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Beautiful. Love the brick paths.
I came home from work yesterday, looking forward to seeing if my cucumber was ready to be picked (it was just a bit small the days before). To my dismay some nefarious beastie had come by and chomped it and gave my vines a serious haircut!
Darn it. Thanks very much, Dale
That’s not what I said. ????
I’ll bet
So many beautiful photos! I love the lightplay on the walls inside, and all the garden’s glory. I hope Jackie rested well last night
She did. Thanks very much, Rose
I don’t think I’ve seen any butterflies yet.
Jackie you look so relaxed, even after your garden grafting. I envy your energy… not to mention your gardening skills.
Thanks very much, Sue
Thank you so much Sue, I was not feeling very energetic when D took the picture!
Fantastic dawn photos and a fabulous rose paired with her cricket visitor.
Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
You have a beautiful garden and liked the photo of Jackie. It shows her love for gardening.
Thank you so much Lakshmi
Beautiful, Jackie. Just beautiful. Your photos aren’t to bad either, Derrick. 😉
So kind, Chrissy 🙂
I enjoy these virtual wanders about your garden, Derrick and Jackie. The stone pathway looks beautiful! You both have a love of gardening that is visible in your photos.
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia
In the garden Jackie is in her element even when tired 🙂
Thank you so much, Ribana