Weather-wise this was a gloomy, but largely dry, day which Jackie began by photographing
her now completed work on preparing the New Bed for winter.
Her lens also produced images of the stumpery;
roses including Super Elfin still scaling the Gothic arch;
Mum in a million,
Absolutely Fabulous,
and Just Joey gracing the Rose Garden;
and Doris Tysterman embellishing the back drive,
the borders of which cheer us still.
The textures of ferns and grasses appeal to hot lips in Margery’s Bed, which displays autumn colour,
while hebes are blooming early – or is it another late flowering?
Camellias have produced buds already,
while the patio planting does not yet appear to be on the way out.
Dahlias still thrive,
as do numerous fuchsias, including Hawksmoor,
Army Nurse,
Chequerboard,
and others.
A blue salvia survives. It is hardy enough not to need a place on
the new shelving that has increased the number of cuttings that can be overwintered in the greenhouse.
One of Jackie’s first tasks was to fix up a nesting box for Nugget’s rival.
Although showing considerable interest in the proceedings this little fellow didn’t keep still long enough for many photographs. He can be seen in the centre of this picture. Our very good blogging friend, Uma, has named him Muggle, on the grounds that Nugget is certainly magical but he must be more earthbound. Therefore, meet Muggle.
Nugget, of course, takes a dim view of this. He made his feelings known when he cocked his head from the top of the Rose Garden fence, muttering “what do you think you are doing”.
“Where’s Nugget?” (40)
This evening we dined on flavoursome pork cutlets; breaded chicken; crisp roast potatoes, including the sweet variety; crunchy carrots and cauliflower; and tender runner beans, with tasty gravy. Jackie drank Hoegaarden and I drank Fronton 2017.