James the carpenter fitted a new drainpipe and guttering on the west end gable wall this morning
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8720-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8723-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8724-1024x683.jpg)
while Martin finished clearing the Oval Bed,
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8721-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8735-1024x683.jpg)
in which could now be seen this clematis attracting a hoverfly.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8729-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8731-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8733-1024x683.jpg)
Wasps and bees were also buzzing around,
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8739-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8740-1024x683.jpg)
and the ubiquitous verbena bonariensis provided numerous trapezes for fluttering butterflies such as Red Admirals
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8743-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8747-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8748-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8749-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8744-829x1024.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8746-625x1024.jpg)
and Small Whites.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8718-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8719-1024x583.jpg)
Dahlias and crocosmia Lucifer are enjoying their time;
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8755-1024x750.jpg)
lilies in the Rose Garden have survived their recently bent stems.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8727-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8757-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8760-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8761-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8762-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8717-683x1024.jpg)
As the day’s temperature rose, Martin worked steadily clearing the rest of the Dragon Bed.
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8715-1024x683.jpg)
![](https://derrickjknight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/IMG_8716-1024x683.jpg)
In the first of these two pictures he holds up one of the fruiting blackberry brambles, for the taste of which he happily vouched.
Ian returned in time to join us for tonight’s dinner which consisted of oven fish, chips, and peas with which he and Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Louis de Camponac Cabernet Sauvignon 2022.
Your helpers are making progress.
Thank you so much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Productive day followed by a wonderful dinner
Thank you very much, Pat
I am glad uou have help for your huge garden
Thank you very much, Sylvie
I am glad to see that you garden has not suffered much from the recent windstorm.
Does the Culinary Queen make blackberry jam?
Not any more, Dolly. Thanks very much
My pleasure, Derrick.
You’re home is busy as a bee with activity, Derrick!
Thank you very much, John
You’re welcome. ☺️
That’s a lovelypicture of Martin holding up one of the fruiting blackberry brambles. He looks as if he is happy to work just as a hobby!
This is his favourite garden. Thanks very much, John
Looks like a good day. Blackberries already! Time flies.
Thanks a lot, Quercus
It looks like a fine day for flowers, insects, and weeders!
Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Never seen a hoverfly but yesterday we saw the first bee since Autumn.
Thanks very much, Chrissy
And your garden is looking more lovely Derrick.
Thanks very much, Arlene
A fine and productive day indeed.
Thank you very much, Val
Now I’m wishing our berries still were lingering. A blackberry cobbler would be delicious. Those are some fine-looking canes.
Thanks very much, Linda
I am glad to see that you have butterflies. Except for a few small whites, we have none.
Ours have reappeared in recent days, Tootlepedal. Thanks a lot
The variety of flowers in your garden never ceases to amaze me! Martin is a treasure 🙂
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Gorgeous day for gardening! Dinner sounds so good!
Thanks very much, Jill
The Gable is looking great Derrick …
Thanks very much, Ivor
Yay for all the busy hard-workers! James, Martin, the buzzy insects, Jackie (Chef: Dinner sounds delicious!), and Derrick (The Great Photographer: Your photos are fabulous! Especially love the butterfly portraits!)!!!!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn X
Such gorgeous photo’s… where do you all get so much energy. Please bottle it. Dinner! Yummy ????
I don’t know where the question marks came from. AI! Enjoyed your post.
The only emoji that seems to work for everyone is the colon bracket 🙂 Thanks again, Holly
Mine is seeping away, Holly. That’s why we need Martin 🙂 Thanks very much
You are all hard workers, and I enjoy seeing your projects in progress! It will be good to have all these done before autumn winds and rain arrive. I can’t believe it is almost August already.
Martin does look pleased after eating a scrumptious blackberry. Much love to you and Jackie.
Thank you so much from us both, Lavinia XX
So many lovely images! I especially like the “Small White on Verbena bonariensis” and the way the path winds around the oval bed with the rocks. Martin is amazing! He seems to really enjoy his good work.
He is and he does, JoAnna. thank you very much
Lovely images.
Thank you very much, Rupali
Another busy day!
Thanks vey much, Aletta
Your garden is getting more and more beautiful!
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re so welcome, Derrick !
Hard work and good food all around!
Thank you very much, GP
I couldn’t pick a favorite flower photo. Martin seems so cheerful!
Eating on the job! Good for Martin. 😉 The gable is looking so good.
Thank you very much, Laurie
All looks well in the garden including smiling Martin, always happy in his work!
Thank you very much, Sue
Is that the typical size of your blackberries? Ours seem to be quite a bit larger. Do you cultivate them or do they grow wild?
They grow wild and they are smaller than cultivated, Elizabeth. Thank you very much
Your garden must be a haven for wildlife
Thank you very much, Sheree
Wow! Martin can also enjoy the fruits of his work 🙂
Thank you very much, Ribana