Today Jackie continued work on clearing weeds and pernicious little onions from the far end of the Brick Path. As will be seen she also has to stab at the currently rock hard soil at the edge of the beds in order to heave out the strays. This involves crumbling the not exactly friable clods in her fingers. One of these was particularly stubborn. When she eventually pulled away its embedded roots she found it was a dull but bejewelled model lion no more than two inches long bearing a hook for hanging. The wine bottle beside it is included for scale.
Naturally she cleaned it up and left it to dry, and for me to photograph.
It is difficult to isolate the two black eyes and the little red nose. There are a number of such creations on the web suggesting they may be watch fobs. None have the solid quality of this little gem.
In the rest of the garden clusters of roses are now blooming,
with many buds set to open;
aquilegias have proliferated;
the Chilean lanterns are now rounding out on their tree; the gladioli Byzantium have transferred well into the Rose Garden from the patio, and another rhododendron is showing its colours.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s chicken and vegetable stewp and fresh crusty bread, with which she drank more of the rosé and I drank Kooliburra Barossa Valley Limited Edition Merlot 2023.
What an amazing find!
Thanks very much, Kim
Lovely day all the way around, Derrick and Jackie.
Thank you very much from each of us, Pat
What a lovely little find. The garden looks amazing.
Thank you very much, Carol
What a funny thing to find! It looks like the garden is doing really well.
Thank you very much, Nikki
What a marvelous find in that tiny jeweled lion! I am sure Jackie was surprised.
Thank you very much, Crystal. I’m pleased you made it back on here
Beautiful photos! The lion is so cute. 🥰
The path work is astounding. Three cheers for the gardener. Mrs T lives in hope of digging up Roman objects in our garden, but she would happily settle for a lion as interesting as that one.
Thank you so much, Tootlepedal
I’ve never seen anything like that little lion! Your blooms are thriving. My husband and I spent some time at a local nursery today. Flowers are in. Tomato plants go in tomorrow.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
You’ve an amazing garden, which produces not only beautiful flowers, but also tiny trinkets,Derrick … 🦁
Your garden is truly magical–it even has buried treasure!
Thank you so much, Merril
What a delightful discovery! I wonder how long it’s been there. The flower photos are beautiful.
Certainly since before we came here 11 years ago. Thank you very much, JoAnna
The lion is wonderful
Thank you very much, Gary
What a find, Derrick! Weeding has its rewards 🙂
Thank you very much, Barbara
The gardens are looking beautiful, Derrick and Jackie! That model lion was a fascinating find! I wonder who made it? And how did it get there?
John (Paol Soren) has put a suggestion on his comment. Thanks very much from each of us Lavinia
I did check out John’s comment and looked it up too.
https://www.wozamoya.co.za/
Thanks very much, Lavinia
How amazing!
Thank you very much, Cindy
That lion is so cool! I know you will keep it and can’t wait to see what you do with it.
We’ll be sure to le you know
The flowers are looking marvelous but my goodness, that lion is quite spectacular. Is it damages in anyway. And was it a little child’s toy? If so it is a very sad story.
No damage, John. Thanks very much
Derrick look at Made by Woza Moya, a South African social enterprise helping those affected with HIV/AIDS.
Thanks very much, John. Jackie did that.
Such a lovely post… Jackie does so much work around the garden! The roses are beautiful and the Gladioli Byzantium look gorgeous, as do the Chilean lanterns… I’ve never heard of them, so lovely! 🙂
Thank yo so much, Nicole
Oh, my gosh and golly! What a lovely treasure…so cute, too…a little lion among all of the flowers! 🙂
A Little Lost Lion Lives Among Buds Blooming Beautiful Blossoms might make a sweet children’s book. 🙂 I’m sure that little lion has many adventures to share.
(((HUGS))) ❤️
A good idea, Carolyn. Thanks very much XX
The lion is an exciting find 🙂 We can buy beaded ornaments like that to decorate keyrings especially.
That confirms it, Anne. Thanks very much
That’s a nice find Derrick. Love the roses.😍
A garden treasure! He’s a beautiful lion.
Thank you very much, Chrissie
An interesting find, and a hidden story from a previous occupier.
Thanks very much, Quercus
LOL nice macro work on the beaded lion.
Thank you very much, Sherry. As you appreciate that was really difficult as I don’t really have a macro lens
How special finding the bejewelled lion, which you captured beautifully, Derrick. The garden photos are lovely.
Thank you very much, Eugi
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Jackie unearthed a treasure! Im sure this find made her day, a tiny reward for her continued diligence toward onion eradication.
Thank you very much, Alys
How wonderful! We all hope we’ll dig up something unusual. I’m so glad Jackie was the finder.
Thank you so much, Sue
Interesting piece of buried treasure, but it can’t compare with the amazing blooms around your garden.
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
What a wonderful bit of treasure. 😀
Thank you very much, Widders
Beautiful setting again. Lovely little lion.
Thank you very much, Flow
There are lots of gems in your garden
Thank you so much, Sheree