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Yesterday afternoon our peace was disturbed by a clattering and scratching emanating from the wall behind a radiator in the TV half of the sitting room. We used to hear that in the open fireplace. Until we lit a fire. Clearly the jackdaws were back, building their nest in a now boarded up chimney. Sure enough, one was perching sentinel on a chimney pot this morning.
Much of the day was spent attending to the garden, throughout which violets are popping up.
My contribution was generally tidying up and cutting the grass.
The Rose Garden is coming along quite well,
as is the Front Garden.
I was close enough to this wasp in the orange shed to be sure that we do have them.
Jackie’s efforts included relining the Waterboy’s pond which had sprung a leak;
replenishing the soil in pots and hanging baskets, during which she discovered her first clutch of evil little vine weevils;
and poking holes with an aerator into the less healthy looking grass patches.
While we took drinks in the Rose Garden before dinner, Jackie spotted that the Big Beast has shown us what it thinks of my pathetic round peg in the square hole. It has simply moved along a touch and ripped off a lot more fencing. We really do hope it is not a rat.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s delicious lamb jalfrezi, savoury rice, and vegetable samosas. Jackie, having drunk Hoegaarden earlier, did not join me in my Bergerac 2015. Not that she would have done anyway. It is not her tipple.
Excellent.
Thanks a lot, Rabirius
The Waterboy springing a leak comes as no surprise!
You never waste an opportunity, Bruce. That’s so good. Thanks.
It’s starting to look like the garden we know and love, Derrick. You and jackie work hard – you don’t deserve those evil weevils!!
Many thanks, GP
I certainly hope it is not a rat too! I know it’s a lot of work for Jackie especially (with your able help of course Derrick) but I do love to see the garden coming back to life. I put the heating on yesterday, that’s the next five months taken care of for me 🙂
Thanks a lot, Pauline. The seasons are such a fascinating aspect of our friendship.
Your garden with its bursts of color looks lovely, even with the weevils and possible rat–yikes! It’s been grey and dreary all day here, and we’ve been in the midst of thunderstorms for the past couple of hours.
Hope your weather improves, Merril. Many thanks.
Now there’s bright sunshine. Crazy weather! 🙂
Besides enjoying your outings, garden, and meals with you, I must thank you for the added exposure to new vocabulary – tipple. How fun is that?
Doesn’t he have the best words???
Indubitably 😉
🙂
🙂
It really looks lovely Derrick!
Thanks very much, Lynn
Most welcome
Your garden is such a tranquil oasis, despite those evil beasties.
Many thanks, Melanie
I think every nature lover has a nemesis, Jackie. Mine, for reasons too sad to go into, is the house sparrow.
Thanks very much, Jodie
Wasps and weevils and possibly a rat! Oh, the joys of gardening! We gardeners know that along with the beauty, sometimes comes the best. Enjoyed your words and pictures, as usual.
Many thanks, Cheryl
Beast, that is. Although we sometimes get the best, too:)
Thanks a lot, Cheryl
Doggone weevils!
Thanks a lot, Leslie
Your garden’s looking lovely Derrick.
Many thanks, Miriam
A rat…eek! You should put out a motion detecting video camera. Again, I learned something new today, Derrick. I had to Google “tipple.” 🙂 Cheers!
🙂 Cheers, Jill. More likely a badger or a fox
It’s shaping up again wonderfully…you two work really hard on the garden… 🙂
Many thanks, Maniparna
Is there any damage the Big Beastie is wreaking or is it someone who thinks you’ve encroached on their right-of-way? We have several ‘wildlife highways’ through our yard that we tried unsuccessfully to block. Now we just wave them on their way.
Very sensible, Widders. I will leave it as it is. It is just a route through. I think it’s a badger, Jackie favours a fox. Thank you.
Love your garden Derrick 🙂
Thanks very much, Arlene
Always something going on in the garden.
Thanks, Laurie
Evil little weevils, and the predator in your garden who obviously hates the round peg in that square hole… I hope it is not a little werewolf!
Very many thanks, Uma. I hope your post-storm clear-up is going well
Derrick, once you steel yourself for the worst, even the darkest clouds turn out brighter.
Wow! What a beast! This is rather like a horror story and how big will it become?!
The weevils are evil.
Hope you have a lovely week and wish life were a little slower but you all press on wonderfully!! xo
Very many thanks, Robin
You’re welcome, Derrick. 🙂
Well ✒ penned🤗😇
Many thanks, Eliza