At lunchtime Martin showed us the completed raised bed he finished this morning. He has concreted in the galvanised pins, put additional brackets on the corners, sifted and replaced some of the removed soil, and saved the plants that have been dug up.
These primroses may go back in, with a number of bulbs.
The activity aroused the interest of a pair of robins.
We have now agreed that Martin will help us on a regular basis.
This afternoon I published https://derrickjknight.com/2022/02/03/a-knights-tale-98-1987-part-one/
On another decidedly dingy afternoon we visited Elizabeth who hasn’t been too well.
The sheep field opposite her home in Burnt House Lane, Pilley was well stocked.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s flavoursome liver and bacon casserole; creamy mashed potatoes; crunchy carrots and cauliflower, with which she drank Hoegaarden and I drank more of the Douro.
What beautiful raised beds… so much more magnificent than ours, made by painstakingly de-constructing palettes!
So looking forward to seeing what the Head Gardener has in mind for planting them up, and also to seeing more of Marting’s work – I’m sure we will all learn much!
Hoping that Elizabeth is soon feeling much better.
Elizabeth is improving, thank you, Emma. Because of where this bed is it had to be strong enough to repel vehicles.
Good morning Derrick. The raised bed or beds will be good for you both. At first it will look out of place but then it will weather and plants will drape down the sides. Enjoy reforming parts of your garden.
(Yes it’s morning in NZ, but Friday)
Now Friday morning here, Catherine. Your description of the bed’s maturing is spot on. Thanks a lot
I just opened up my Reader page and lo and behold – look who was first in the list!!
Hope Elizabeth will be better soon!!
So – it’s out with Aaron and in with Martin. Whomever you feel is reliable and does a good job – look like Martin won!!
Thanks very much, GP. Elizabeth is a lot better. Aaron just disappeared, I’m afraid.
I hope he just moved and Covid didn’t get him.
Sorry Elizabeth is feeling under the weather. It is nice to see robins in your photos again, Derrick! Those raised beds look wonderful, and wish we had a couple in our back yard!.
Thanks you very much, Maj. Elizabeth will be OK. I hope to be able to provide more robin pics.
It’s such fun to see the robins again! Now, I’m thinking about that liver and bacon. I’m not sure about that, but I’m willing to at least ponder it for a while. When I looked it up, I found a number of recipes from places like the BBC, so I’m thinking it might be a British dish. I’ve never heard of such, except on your blog.
We are hoping the robins will remain interested. I guess the dish must be British. My mother used to cook it. Thanks a lot, Linda.
It looks as if spring will be full of new plants and perhaps a robin chick or two to befriend! The raised planter looks wonderful — and it will eliminate much bending as you work in the garden! I hope Elizabeth is feeling better soon!
Thank you very much, Janet. Elizabeth will be OK. A chick to befriend would be good
I love the picture of the robin. I miss little Nugget.
I’m sorry to hear that Elizabeth hasn’t been well. I hope she is soon feeling better.
Thanks a lot, Liz. We hope this is a descendant of Nugget. Elizabeth will be OK.
You’re welcome, Derrick. I’m glad to hear that Elizabeth will be OK.
I hope that the raised bed will be enough to keep people from parking there.
So do we, John. Thanks very much.
No one is going to drive over that! Martin’s done a great job.
Thanks very much, Sheree. Already people driving down the lane are having to wait to pass, instead of driving over our bed
Excellent news
Great work by Martin. The little robin is so cute–great shot. I miss Nugget, too.
I do hope Elizabeth is feeling better soon.
Thanks very much, Merril. Elizabeth is improving. Hopefully Nugget’s genes live on.
Good news.
I sure hope Elizabeth feels better soon! (((HUGS))) for her. <3
Martin did a marvelous job! I'm sure the raised bed will be filled with colour and beauty soon! 🙂
Aw, on the robins! (Every time I see a robin I think of Nugget.)
Sheep a'plenty in Pilley!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
Thanks very much, Carolyn. Elizabeth is much improved. We hope we have a descendant of Nugget who has brought a mate with him. X
I’m so glad Elizabeth is doing better! More (((HUGS))) for her. 🙂
Oh, my gosh! That is wonderful! The Nugget family continues! 🙂
Perhaps that little Robin is a descendant of our favorite little Nugget. The raised bed it gorgeous. I bet Jackie’s head is spinning with ideas of what to do with it. Give Elizabeth our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
Thank you so much, Jodie. We hope he is a descendant of Nugget who fathered three broods in his last year with us. Elizabeth is on the mend – we will pass on the good wishes.
<3 So glad to hear Elizabeth is on the mend!
So sorry to hear about Elizabeth and I imagine your visit was very welcome. I hope she feels better soon.
The raised bed looks excellent, Martin’s done a good job there, no wonder he’s a ‘keeper’
One of my favourite meals, liver and onions with bacon and mashed potato.
I disliked it as a child because my mother always over cooked everything, then my husband (a butcher’s son) showed me how it should be cooked. Delicious!
Thanks a lot, Sue. Elizabeth is on the mend. Good for your husband
I am writing a poem this morning Derrick, and your photo of the ‘Robinin the Hawthorn’ seems to suit the subject matter of my verse, “Until Eyes Hear Sound”, and again, thank you for allowing me to use your wonderful photos with my poems ..
I look forward to it, Ivor. Thanks very much.
My poem is up now
I hope Elizabeth is feeling better soon. Oh my! That robin is the sweetest chunky fella! Must be Nugget’s kinfolk.
Thanks very much, Jill. We hope he is.
Best wishes for Elizabeth feeling better soon….
Thanks very much, Doug.
Naughty thought. Jackie will plant plenty in that bed. The flowers will spill over, hiding the substantial box. Then people parking will try to run over the flowers as they have been accustomed to, and come in for a rude surprise. That’ll teach ’em to show more consideration.
I love this naughty thought: that’ll teach ’em!
🙂
I’m laughing, Gwen. Thanks very much
That’s a well fed little fella. Hope Elizabeth picks up soon
She will be OK, Gary. Thanks very much
Nice rouge-gorges.
Thanks a lot, Brian
Martin has done a wonderful job with the raised bed. Can’t wait to see it filled with flowers in full bloom 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
It’s good to have people like Martin to help with projects. I hope Elizabeth feels better soon.
Elizabeth will be OK. Thanks very much, JoAnna
Sweet picture of the robin. Hope Elizabeth feels better soon.
She’s at the end of a bad cold, Laurie. Thanks very much.
Glad she’s at the end.
That flower bed looks great – I wish Martin could come over here – we have lots to do!
Thanks a lot, Barbara
I hope Elizabeth is feeling better, soon. Nice strong flower bed!
Thanks very much, AnneMarie. We will pass on the good wishes.
Look at that! people all over the world are sending wishes to Elizabeth. I also hope she’s feeling better.
And you two must be bursting with energy, eating that meal whose name i cannot mention, but is apparently full of iron. <3
Many thanks, Yvonne. We visited Elizabeth to bring her back for dinner. She reckons to be better today when we will have some more, so don’t look. 🙂 X
Staying in a cabin on Lake Champlain years ago, I found a cookbook in which there was a recipe for liver balls with bacon. Couldn’t help but think of it seeing your meal. I hope Elizabeth feels better soon. And that raised bed is fabulous.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Elizabeth is hopefully at the end of a heavy cough/cold
I like the looks of the raised bed but I would let you have my liver and bacon casserole. My Dad loved it but I am not such a fan.
Thanks very much, Amanda 🙂
I join your other readers in praise of the raised bed and add my good wishes for Elizabeth’s recovery.
Thanks very much, Anne
Love the bird photo. Those raised beds will be nice for Jackie.
Thanks very much, Mrs W
Your welcome.
Martin has done a good job there.
Thanks very much, John
I’m glad to read that Elizabeth is improving, Derrick. Hopefully the new raised bed will repel all errant vehicles. And the robins! Fingers crossed they like what they find in your beautiful garden.
Thank you very much, Sandra. Lorries are already backing up rather than squeeze past our plot. We are hopeful about the robins
The raised bed looks very sturdy, and hopefully will work at keep vehicles off the plants. Martin does nice work. No more Aaron from A.P. Maintenance?
Wishing Elizabeth a speedy recovery.
I hope the robins settle in and make a nest in your gardens. I miss Nugget.
Thank you very much, Lavinia. Aaron has disappeared. We miss him, but have a good replacement. Elizabeth is improving. We hope we may have another little robin friend. Jackie had a good conversation with one in the hawthorn yesterday.
I’m sorry to hear that Elizabeth isn’t well. I hope her recovery is swift. I love the photo of a sweet the sweet robin in your tree. Your planter boxes looked amazing.
Thank you very much, Alys. Elizabeth is on the end of a bad cold – and as you can see, improving.
That’s very good to hear.
Great flowerbed.
Thanks a lot, Bridget
Liver and bacon casserole….is this really a thing? I am intrigued, and will be looking up a recipe.
The robins are always a happy sight. Early for us here
Thanks very much, Rose. It seems more of a British dish – very tasty
I hope Elizabeth gets better.
She is doing so, Geetha. Thanks very much
That raise bed looks beautiful! I hope Elizabeth is feeling better!
Thank you very much, Ribana. She is a lot better now.
It looks like some of Mr Nugget’s progeny has returned.
We think so, Dolly. Thanks very much
Lovely photo of the robin. I can’t help but think of Nugget, as did Dolly. That raised bed is beautiful. I look forward to seeing it filled with life soon! Visiting is the perfect thing to do on a drab day.
Thank you so much, Crystal