This morning we joined Crystal and Margaret for an enjoyable breakfast at The Potting Shed, after which we bade our goodbyes and regretfully saw them on the way to the next stage of their trip. We have spent three delightful days in their company.
We took a leisurely forest drive home.
May blossom at Abbotswell shared the landscape with the longer flowering gorse. One adage enjoins us to “Ne’er cast a clout (i.e. layer of clothing) until May is out.” The jury is out on whether this refers to the end of the month or to the white blossom’s blooming period. Gorse, however, promotes another, viz. “When gorse is out of bloom, kissing is out of fashion” reflects its all the year round flowering, although it is at its most dazzling gold in May and June.
These bluebells on the verge at Godshill are of our upright native English variety, slowly being overcome by or hybridised with the more flamboyant Spanish ones.
A pair of foraging ponies were oblivious to the traffic they were blocking. Jackie squeezed through the gap but the oncoming driver was not confident of attempting that. Perhaps his car was a bit wider.
Back home, the Head Gardener potted up more hanging baskets, completed the clearance of the onions and other weeds from the
Dead End Path,
and continued her work on the Brick Path.
The viburnum plicatum that Margaret had admired on Friday has now reached its peak.
Throughout our garden we have inherited trees and shrubs planted in the wrong places.
An example is this tree with white blossom we cannot identify too close to the cryptomeria with the result that they now vie for space. Can anyone identify it?
Crystal has given us two very thoughtful gifts. The dragon bearing a crystal ball for Jackie reflects her dragon bed and obviously the donor’s name; my ball point pen bears a pull-out scroll of the language symbols created by Crystal’s Cherokee ancestors in order to be able to communicate in writing with the incomers. I haven’t discovered how to hold the scroll outstretched and photograph it at the same time.
This evening we dined on filled crust pizza and fresh salad with which Jackie drank Sárga Borház Tokaji Késöi Szüret Late Harvest 2022, while I finished the Cabernet Sauvignon.
The gifts and flowers are beautiful. And thank you for the ponies!!
Thank you very much, too, GP
What lovely gifts. Hypothetical–is is better to have a kiss from a Miss or kissed by the Mist?
That depends on the Miss. Thanks very much, Pat
A fun gift and lovely photos! ❤️
Thank you very much, John
We have a tendency to plant trees and shrubs too close together. (I didn’t know that it was going to grow that much!)
Thanks very much, Liz. When we arrived there was no path in the front garden and a Christmas tree was planted very close to a window
You’re welcome, Derrick. (We’re not quick that bad!)
App on smartphone. “Google Lens” take a piecture with phone and open app and it will tell you the plant name.
Thanks very much, Catherine
It is wonderful to have good company and share time with them… Lovely photos Derrick and beautiful gifts 🙂 xx
Thank you very much, Sue XX
Oh what wonderfully superb gift, Derrick
Thank you very much, Ivor
Jackie’s path weeding is an example to us all. Our paths are conservation wildlife areas. 🙂
Thanks very much, Tootlepedal. She transplants lots of flower seedlings from the cracks to the beds
Wonderful gifts.
Thank you very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
Wonderful gifts!
Thank you very much, JoAnna
What beautiful and incredibly thoughtful gifts!
Thank you so much, Donna
Lovely gifts but how much I love the dragon 😊
Such beautiful gifts. I’m pleased you had an enjoyable few days.
Ne’er cast a clout until May is out- the old Yorkshire saying. Some believe it refers to the Blackthorn flowers, I suppose that makes sense, because the warmer climes of the south will probably see it flower before here in the north. Apart from the three days of high temperatures last week, I’m still wearing my layers!
Sensible woman, Sue. Thank you very much
Such gorgeous garden inhabitants! (plants, flowers, trees, etc. 🙂 )
What wonderful and thoughtful gifts…so unique!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Carolyn XX
The garden looks brilliant and the crystal bearing dragon rather fantastic. Twice I’ve see the word ‘clout’. I happened to read Tootlepedal a moment ago and asked for a definition and now there you are giving it to me. Well done.
Much appreciated, John
I found the gifts beautiful and the flowers really fabulous, as always!
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re more than welcome ヽ(•‿•)ノ
I love the crystal ball. What a nice gift.
Thank you very much, Sherry
What beautiful countryside in bloom! And your gardens always so lovely, Derrick and Jackie.
The ponies look like they could put the squeeze on any vehicle passing through if they backed up at the same time.
Crystal’s gifts are thoughtful and beautiful.
Thank you so much from each of us, Lavinia
Love the May blossom in the countryside. Your viburnum plicatum is quite stunning. I’m guessing that the former gardeners had no idea how big the trees would grow and compete for space and light.
That is how it seems, Rosaliene. Thanks very much
The dragon is stunning.
Thank you very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
How nice to spend time with good company, Derrick, and the gifts are quite lovely.
Thank you very much, Eugi
Most welcome, Derrick.
The Potting Shed – What a quaint name for a cafe. Small cars a handy for narrow spaces. Beautiful gifts.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Lovely photos of your scenic drive home. It was a spectacular day! Here in Bath I’m afraid it’s cold and windy. So glad the weather favored us in New Forest. Tomorrow we meet Andrew.
Very cold here, too. It’s a north eat wind. Thanks very much, Crystal
What thoughtful gifts!
Indeed. Thank you very much, Sheree