After more stimulating conversation Louisa, Geri, and Coco left us at 10 a.m. this morning.
Jackie then set about removing the tree roots impeding the level of the area behind the garden shed, and photographing her work.
I bagged up the waste roots.
We have a number of areas where the soil has recently been thrown up in what are now molehills produced by these normally solitary animals burrowing underground in search of a mate. One of these is the new footpath into the Weeping Birch Bed.
The Head Gardener also photographed the Cryptomeria Bed;
and roses Lady Emma Hamilton, aloha complete with raindrops and a fly, an Absolutely Fabulous bud, and Mamma Mia also bejewelled with rainwater.
This afternoon we took a forest drive. On a shaded bank at the corner of Bistern Close and Bennett’s Lane a squirrel scampered while the woodland behind enjoyed the sunshine.
This being bonfire season our nostrils often sniffed woodsmoke like this in the smoky landscapes seen from Picket Post carpark.
The rippling stream flowing fast under the ford at North Gorley reflected the footbridge above.
This evening we repeated last night’s meal of chicken and vegetable stewp and focaccia bread.
Your roses are still lovely. I particularly like the photos of your smoky landscapes.
Thank you very much, Liz. Your picks are always well chosen
You’re welcome, Derrick–and thank you!
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the day, if only you could remove the mole from his hole. Is there any dinner left? Sounds delicious.
Quite a lot frozen for next time, Pat. Thank you very much
Such a lovely time of year!
Yes. Thanks very much, Laurie
The garden still looks great for this time of year, Derrick. Why are people burning the woods? Is it just a leaf fire? Scary!
Yes. These will be garden bonfires. We are far wetter than you, John. Thank you very much
I see, thank you, Derrick. 😎
That is backbreaking work to dig up and remove roots. Oh, it will be so much better when they are gone, but what a chore. Well done, Jackie.
Thank you Crystal, I’m paying for it today! I’m hoping to get Martin to lay a few flagstones down so I can use that space to pot up my containers. We can reuse the slabs that came up from the old patio when he replaced it with our wonderful new one.
I’m so eager to see your new patio in person! Did Derrick tell you that Margaret and I are coming in April?
I did, Crystal 🙂 🙂 one from each of ue
Thanks from me, too, Crystal
I never tire of seeing your varied exquisite roses. I learned something new about moles, and molehills. (and making mountains out of them?)
I had no idea they could disrupt the garden so much, searching for a mate
Your garden still looks amaing, Derrick. Great photos!
Thank you both very much
Thanks very much, Rose. We are lucky we don’t have a proper lawn
Your garden still looks lovely, Derrick. All of that hard work has paid off!
Thank you very much, Donna
I can’t believe the roses are still blooming. It’s almost November. Wow, and they are beautiful.
Thank you so much, Bridget
The rippling stream flowing fast under the ford at North Gorley caught my attention, maybe there’s a poem reflecting in the water under the bridge, Derrick
I hope so, Ivor. Thanks very much
I’m posting the poem tonight … “A Bridge Over Untroubled Waters”
They just announced a ban on burning in our area. It hasn’t rained here in a long time!
Understood. We are lucky
Digging up roots is a tough job. I like those bubbles on the stream, the owl, and the mossy rocks.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
The tunneling furry folk do make a mess with their diggings!
Roses, forest drives and rippling streams all among my favorite things. Burn piles are common here, too. There are legal “burn days” and “no burn days”. One is supposed to check by calling the fire department burn line. People don’t always observe this rule.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Beautiful roses ad a lot of cleaning to do. When we were in Germany, Gayatri and Vinay had baked focassia bread. Thank you.
Much appreciated, Lakshmi
My goodness! Jackie removed all those roots by herself?
Gorgeous roses and scenic photos.
She did. Thanks very much, Dale
She is awesome
We haven’t been allowed to have bonfires for years. The roses are looking beautiful and I continue to admire the work you two put into your garden.
Thank you very much, Anne
Gardening is hard work! The roses are still so beautiful. Getting rid of moles is very difficult.
Thank you very much, Aletta
That orange rose is fabulous
Thank you very much, Sheree
Cute owl! Squirrel-y squirrel! Gorgeous roses!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
hank you very much, Carolyn XX
There have been times when our lawns have been covered in molehills. October and April are the usual months for the start of the invasion. It became so bad that we now use the professionals to sort the problem.
Thanks very much, Sue
It sounds like a wonderfully productive day! The forest drive and the sights you encountered must have been a lovely way to unwind.
Thank you very much, Ilze
I absolutely love the Mamma Mia bejewelled with rainwater! Good work on the root removal, Jackie! I need to post a few photos of our scenery here in Sierre, Switzerland. Bedazzling!!
Thank you very much from each of us, Jan
Great job by Jackie! I can’t imagine trying to remove all those roots! Interesting about the moles. Your roses are beautiful!
No fires allowed here. In face, we have a warning in effect about them. But your smoky landscapes are lovely.
*In fact, not in face. Hahaha.
We are much wetter than you, Merril. Thanks very much
I was interested in the mole as well. How common are they?
Very – but because they are nocturnal we don’t see them. This month and April are their peak periods. Thanks very much, John
Beautiful photos, Derrick and Jackie. Kudos to Jackie for all of her hard work.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
A way to stop moles is to get some kiddies beach windmills and arrange them around the garden. Moles don’t like the vibrations in the soil because it distracts them from their work.
Strangely enough, we do have some of these – and moles don’t seem to go there. Thanks a lot, Andrew
Apparently there are no moles living near wind farms but you most likely wouldn’t want a turbine in the back garden.
We have an extreme drought here. A garden or forest fire could be very bad. Crazy weather.
Indeed
My favorite photos are those of the roses
Thank you very much, Sylvie
The Roses added a welcome touch of colour to a rather sombre set of photographs.
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal
You both work so hard. I admire that
Thank you so much, Mimi. Jackie and Martin do most of it now
Great photos, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Ed
Those roses are beautiful
Thank you very much, Gary
Sometimes I marvel at the capacity of roots to find inroads into walls and rocks. Jackie is however rooting for a level playing field with remarkable enterprise.
Neat comment, Uma. Thanks very much
Beautiful photos.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Darn moles they drive us crazy! Those roses are still so beautiful as are the rest of your pictures!
Thank you very much, Diane
Always hard work but so rewarding! Beautiful photos!
Thank you very much, Riba – especially for the catch-up