The Garden Awakes

Yesterday Martin made further progress on the completed patio.

His paving pattern is laid ready for grouting; sleepers are in place;

the step up to the Dead End Path is progressing;

and the steps into the house are ready to be boxed in.

Today I cleared the area between the oil tank and the garden shed in readiness for the new container due to be installed on Monday. The black bags in the foreground are two of three more destined for recycling at Otter Nurseries.

I am temporarily storing further materials on the Shady Path. In the bottom right hand corner of this picture can be seen a small crocus closed up because this was late in the day, and a few of the swathes

of snowdrops now blooming.

Camellias continue to do so,

as do hellebores and irises..

Later, I recovered images and set header pictures for the following two posts:

This evening we dined on pepperoni pizza and plentiful fresh salad, with which I drank more of the Shiraz and Jackie drank Hoegaarden.

Patio Progress

When I wandered around the garden early this chilly morning I watched the overnight frost dripping from the touch of the sun making its slow climb into the branches above and listened to the rhythmic patter as it beat a tattoo on the leaves below.

Sugar-frost remained in the unshaded beds and bejewelled foliage reached by the rising sun.

Camellias and irises reticulata are beginning to bloom.

Although she does not yet have balanced coordination to stand without support Ellie has the strength to do so with it, as she attempts to turn her multiple choice toy into a teething ring while running her tongue over her first burgeoning gnasher. Her mother stands poised in case of slippage.

Beginning early this morning,

and with the aid of his saw horse,

Martin spent much of the day fixing sleepers around the perimeter of the new patio paving. Each piece is measured meticulously and levelled with the aid of a spirit level.

After lunch I completed the recovery, made possible by the help of SueW, of the pictures to the following posts:

This evening we all dined on toothsome roast beef; crisp Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes; firm Brussels sprouts; crunchy carrots; tender runner beans, and tasty gravy, with which Jackie drank more of the GrĂ¼ner Veltliner, I drank more of the Syrah, and Flo and Dillon drank fruit juice cordial. Ellie chewed at and sucked on a piece of carrot and screwed up her face in lachrymal complaint when this was removed.