I wandered in and out of the garden at different times of the day with my camera.
Here are some general scenes, each of which bears a title in the gallery. I have chosen to present the flowers in context rather than in close-up. The compost bins will need refurbishment in the summer.
Many of the artefacts scattered around have been gifts from friends
and relatives. The wickerwork sunflower in the first of these pictures is an Easter gift given a couple of days ago by Danni; the wooden mushrooms was my present a few years ago to Jackie, while the little figure atop the nearest one was given to me one Christmas by our beloved sister in law, Frances who fancied she saw some resemblance.
Among all her other delving today Jackie cleared out the invasive little onions from both approaches to the Shady Path. When I made the last of these pictures of her in action she was aiming to reach the bluebell at bottom right before she finished her day and we enjoyed drinks on the patio. She did, of course, reach her goal.
This afternoon I continued reading ‘Anglo-Saxon England’. Because I already know much of the story this will not take me as long as the first book in the series.
For our dinner this evening we enjoyed more of Jackie’s chicken jalfrezi meal with the addition of a vegetable samosa. The Culinary Queen drank Zesty and I drank Patrick Chodot Fleurie 2023.
Jackie works all the time! No wonder why even the compost bins are beautiful!
I laughed at the Derrick Father Christmas. I see the resemblance.
Thank you so much, Merril
Beautiful photos as always, Derrick! Hi Jackie!
A wonderful explosion of colours!
Thank you so much, Sylvie
Beautiful gardens.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
Guess we know who the Gentleman was … Lovely pictures, Derrick. You have a kinder wife than Bob does.
Absolutely stunning Derrick!
Thank you so much, Val
Always love these “visits” to your garden.
Thanks very much, Leslie
Thank you for the delightful garden tour and these words from Leonard Cohen …
seem appropriate for Jackie’s diligence
I move with the leaves
I shine with the chrome
I’m almost alive
I’m almost at home
No one to follow
And nothing to teach
Except that the goal
Falls short of the reach … from the song, ‘The Goal’
Thank you very much, Ivor
Brava to Jackie for meeting her gardening goal for the day!
Thank you so much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love visiting your garden, Derrick. Your photos are beautiful and very inviting!
Thank you so much, Donna
The explosion of spring growth is a wonder to behold! Bless Jackie for her dedication <3
Thank you very much from each of us, Rosaliene XX
I’ve probably said this before, but again, your garden is a wonderful work of art. You could sell tickets for private tours if you wanted to.
Thank you so much, JoAnna
Father Christmas! That does look like you, Derrick!
Such beautiful garden photos…they share all of the wonders of nature in your garden, the tender loving care of The Head Gardener, the gifts of art that add so much to the ambiance and character of the garden!
(((HUGS)))
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
Beautiful views and I am thinking about botanical fragrance.
You are right to do so, Rupali. Thank you very much.
Your garden must be a delight to explore. Well done, Jackie!
Thank you very much from each of us, Anne
Hi John. J
I ws amazed to find the second picture was a model, I thought it was a photo of you on a mountaintop in the rainforest.
What an amazing fantasyland your own backyard has become!!
You have so many species I often wonder how big your garden is
Glorious photographs, Derrick! You should sell tickets for visitors to tour and enjoy the gardens… except for all the headache and hoopla and dashed privacy.
Thank you for sharing with us. So beautiful, and such a pervading sense of calm and serenity. ~Ed.
Thank you so much, Ed
I liked spotting you in the arbor mirrors! My favourite from the collection of garden photos this time is the carpet of camelia blossoms. Our neighbors’s camelia is quite close to my back yard office, and so I get dark pink flowers on the ground near me too. So beautiful. I also love the cloud of forget-me-nots, if that’s what they are.
Yes. Forget me nots, Crystal. Thank you very much
The gardens are looking beautiful. You both have done much hard work! I particularly liked the views from the upper story where one can see the layout and pathways.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Your garden is magical and like a fairytale land, Derrick.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
I love the views from upstairs.
Thanks very much, Sue
That wisteria is spectacular
Thank you very much, Sheree
I love your sister-in-law’s sense of humor! :>)
Thank you very much, Dwight
:>)
Lovely pics one and all. Does miniature Derrick travel around the garden?
No. He stays with the mushrooms, but had recently been buried in plant growth so he has been fixed on the top floor. Thanks very much, Alys
Now he’ll have a better view.