Jackie and Nugget continued planting and bed making this morning while I cleared up some of the debris. Our little robin has even begun to get under my feet. He has begun to think ahead and, knowing where we are likely to go, arrives there before us. He only has to see me scoop up a trug full of clippings and he will be awaiting my arrival at the compost heap.
The normal size bricks in this photograph indicate what a diminutive creature he is. With secateurs in hand Jackie needs to be careful not to amputate anything.
Now, “Where’s Nugget?” (32).
Jackie plonked these starlike allium seed heads for their decorative quality.
Elsewhere we have plenty of varieties of dahlia; yellow self-seeded bidens;
flaming sedums;
delicate fuchsias;
pretty petunias;
roses, such as magnificent Mama Mia,
pure white Winchester Cathedral,
and blousy Schoolgirl,
all still keeping company with planted urns in the Rose Garden.
Vibrant splashes of colour enhance garden views such as this one across the lawn with its basket hanging from the eucalyptus, petunias in the chimney pot, and Japanese anemones on the far side;
the stepping stones across the Cryptomeria Bed with its Michaelmas daisies and clematis scaling the arch that spans the Phantom Path;
the Gazebo Path, again sporting a clematis in its third flush, hanging baskets, and more.
The Patio Bed gloried in the morning sunlight.
Before lunch we took a short drive into the east of the forest.
Autumn leaves clung to damp fungus.
on the verges of Lower Sandy Down where the Modus puts the width of the winding lane into perspective.
While a curious field horse looked on
I photographed the opposite landscape where freer equine cousins could be glimpsed in the distance.
Further on a woman walking her dog provided a further shot for scale.
This afternoon I watched the recording of the World Cup rugby match between South Africa and Italy.
This evening we dined on succulent pork chops; crisp roast potatoes, one sweet; crunchy carrots, and tender cabbage and runner beans, all flavoured by tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I finished the Fleurie.
