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At very brief intervals this morning the deceptive sun suggested it may brighten our day.
We believe these little plants forcing their way between wet paving stones are chionodoxa. Just above them poppies are beginning to try their luck.
Hairy little pulmonaria seem to tolerate anything thrown at them.
My walk down the Gazebo Path coincided with the sun changing its mind.
Later the daffodil at the far end positively glowed with pleasure at another change.
Heucheras and euphorbias lead the eye to camellias on the fence shared with Mistletoe Cottage.
Earlier camellias have dropped buffeted blooms which continue to provide a pleasing display.
Thrusting crocosmia spears caught the next bright beams. When gardening becomes possible again, many dead leaves will be removed.
The Westbrook Arbour in the West Bed is now home to the chicken doorstops rediscovered in the cupboard under the stairs.
Here is the left hand side of that newly cultivated bed.
From the Weeping Birch Bed with its blue vinca and yellow hellebore can be seen dancing daffodils.
Heucheras are beginning to brighten everywhere.
I do hope the Head Gardener will forgive my having taken this shot down the Brick Path without clearing up. It has been raining for days, after all.
Moss covered rocks abound. Here one shelters a healthy sedum in the Cryptomeria Bed;
another is about to be draped by vinca which will need keeping in check.
Several hardy pansies have survived the meteorological vagaries;
one sleepy little bee had been persuaded to drag itself out of bed and into one of these where it appeared to have gone back to sleep.
This afternoon, Jackie made two beef, onion, and mushroom pies. This one is for the freezer.
The second was served this evening with potatoes, carrots and cabbage, and thick, flavoursome gravy from the juices of the tender pressure-cooked beef. I finished off the 16 Little Black Pigs