With overnight winds having ripped a stem from the Wedding Day rose, yet spared the clematis on the Agriframes arch,
Jackie was out early this morning laying down garden furniture once more, and picking up smashed pots and broken stems. Gale force winds continued throughout the day.
Undeterred, she set about refurbishing the Head Gardener’s Rest, and photographing the process.
First going;
then gone;
then rebuilding;
and finally, completed;
after which, basking in the sunshine, she toasted it.
My still photographs show neither the waving branches in
the front garden,
higher roses such as Compassion and Penny Lane,
nor the Weeping Birch swaying above its eponymous Bed including the proliferating Crinum Powellii.
Some begonias are sheltered enough to remain unscathed.
Even the frenetically flittering Small White butterflies were forced to take rests
on swaying Verbenas bonariensis
and the last remaining bloom on this geranium.
The Veronicastrum Virginicum Album was displaying signs of osteoporosis, but For Your Eyes Only seemed to find enough shelter in the Rose Garden.
Later this afternoon I posted https://derrickjknight.com/2021/08/06/a-knights-tale-11-a-pack-of-ravening-wolves/
This evening we dined on cod, chips, and peas with which Jackie drank more of the Cotes de Provence rosé and I drank more of the Fleurie.
I have never experienced such high winds in the UK, Derrick. Your flowers are looking wonderful and the pictures with Jacquie are very pretty.
It sounds like a summer of extreme winds in your country.
Thank you very much, Robbie. We haven’t either.
What a cozy place has the Head Gardener created for herself!
Strong winds seem to continue; I hope not much further damage is sustained.
Winds stopped today. Just raining now. Thanks very much, Dolly
You are very welcome, Derrick.
No matter how rough your weather gets – the Head Gardener and her assistant find ways to repair the beauty and originality!
Thank you so much, GP
Love pictures. I hope that you were a good lad and fetched the Head Gardener the libation she is toasting with in that picture.
He certainly did!
Of course, Pat 🙂 Cheers.
So sorry about the gales causing more havoc down your way.
I love Jackie’s little haven.
Thanks very much, Sue. 🙂
How lovely to see Jackie at rest with a glass of rosé in her hand – and smiling after all that effort!
Thank you so much, Anne
I think Mother Nature has met her match with Jackie. The photos of her in her bower with pretty pink rosé in hand and her reflection looking on are lovely. I hope the winds die down.
Thanks a lot, Merril. Winds dropped today. Just raining now
Oh, that’s good.
You’ve had your share of winds already — I hope they have settled down now for the rest of the summer! Our heat wave has finally broken, and the air is a more comfortable temperature!
Thanks very much, Janet. We can never be sure we have seen the last of them
How do you know the names of all the plants Derrick?
When in doubt I check with the Head Gardener 🙂 Thanks a lot, Sheree
😎
I admire Jackie’s spirit and energy in rebuilding the Head Gardener’s Rest. A job well done!
Thank you so much, Rosaliene
Amazing as usual
Thanks a lot, Mina
Welcome, My friend
GP is right – the Head Gardener and her assistant are a true A Team!
Your garden certainly needs a Head Gardeners Rest; that glass of refreshment is very well earned – cheers!
And cheers to you, Emma 🙂
The Head Gardener’s Rest is delightful. I hope it survives any more storms that come your way.
Thanks a lot. Tootlepedal
I LOVE the header photo! Have you had an usually high number of windstorms this summer? It seems you’re getting hit on a regular basis. Jackie did a great job with her Head Gardener’s Rest rebuild.
We have, Liz. Without the winds, I doubt that butterfly would have stayed long enough for that shot 🙂 Dripping dark as night this morning. Thanks very much.
You’re most welcome, Derrick.
A nice place to rest and so well deserved.
Thank you so much, Bridget
The newly refurbished “Head Gardener’s Rest”, looks a picture … well done Jackie, and enjoy … 💛🤗🌏
Cheers, Ivor
Thanks Ivor,
I like the rest area guarded by the dragon and the beautiful header photo!
Thank you very much, JoAnna.
Go Jackie! I love you creativity.
Thanks a lot, Chrissy
Even though the still photographs don’t show the gyrating limbs of the plants, I can feel the force of the wind. That is a cosy Gardener’s Rest erected in the midst of ongoing turmoil.
Thank you so much, Uma
We’ve had three or four white butterflies flying past in a most peculiar manner. They must be Small Whites, presumably?
I think so. Thanks a lot, John
Quite a storm. Blown out by the time it reached the east.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Jackie, your beautiful smile always makes me smile and brings me joy! I’m so glad you have a HG resting spot! You deserve it! A chance to breathe in the beautiful garden you’ve created and cared for with tender love. 🙂
Derrick, the little butterflies are so sweet! A joy to see them enjoying the garden!
Love the 3 wooden mushrooms “sprouting” up near the lawn bed. 🙂
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thank you very much from us both, Carolyn XX
The verbena bonariensis looks lovely. How high does it grow?
The new Head Gardener’s Rest looks more roomy now the wind forced a renovation.
Some of it is 4′-5′, Helen. It adds great points of colour. Thanks very much.
Is that feet?
Yes
Those pesky winds!
Yep. Thanks a lot, Leslie
Who needs a gym membership when one can garden?
I’m beginning to realise that 🙂
Keeps you two young!
🙂
What a beautiful spot and lovely photos! Looks like a lot of work. But, the results are wonderful. Love your garden!
Thank you so much, Dwight
You are welcome!
Jackie’s spot looks refreshing. Hope the wind goes away.
Thanks a lot, Mrs W. It is back today
Oh no. Hopefully it goes away soon.
Are these gale force winds common in your area in summer, or is this new with climate change?
This is certainly new to us. We have experienced the odd ones coming in from the sea, but not as frequent or erratic. We have just been out laying things down again as they are expected back today. Thanks a lot, Lavinia.
The prefect rest spot for the Head Gardener 🌸
🙂 Yes. Thanks very much, Ribana