For the last couple of days marauding rooks have raided Nugget’s robin feeder, ripped it off the Japanese maple, and robbed him of his food.
Jackie has baffled the thieves with a pair of hanging basket frames.
In contrast to yesterday’s dismal weather, today was clear, bright, and cold, taking every opportunity to display a little autumn colour.
Here is Margery’s Bed seen from the Cryptomeria Bed,
and sculpture Florence’s view of the house.
Weeping Birch leaves still linger
and the white solanum goes on forever.
Some Japanese maples have retained their leaves,
others have carpeted the lawn and paths with them.
The last scene above can be seen from the Fiveways end of the Phantom Path.
Jackie focussed on the grasses in the Palm Bed named for
the Cordeline Australis which is in fact evergreen.
Mrs Popple is one of the hardier fuchsias,
another of which, Delta’s Sarah, still attracts no doubt confused bees.
A number of pelargoniums still look down from hanging baskets, like this overlooking the Dragon bed in which
Ivy twines herself around one of the eponymous mythological figures.
Jackie spent much of the morning trying not to tread on Nugget while they were cobbling together a winter cold frame.
“Where’s Nugget?” (44a and 44b)
Wherever she moved to another location he was there first. Fortunately she took her camera.
“Where’s Nugget?” (44c and 44d)
Jackie also focussed on a sparrow with,
a pied wagtail,
and a white wagtail on the rooftop. I trust one of our birder readers will correct any errors in identification.
Late this afternoon Elizabeth visited to gather up bags of files that had remained in our single spare room since she moved out last year. She stayed for dinner which consisted of chicken marinaded in mango and chilli sauce; savoury rice topped with an omelette; and tender runner beans. My sister finished the Cotes du Rhone and I drank Chateau Berdillot Cotes de Bourg 2018, while Jackie abstained.