I like that Owl,..i am always planning to do a painting of an Owl but never seem to have the time to sit down and start,..other than that i have Water Colours,..Oils and Mixed Medium so really no excuse bar time.
I like all your blooms and nice to see them in some Terracotta pots as well,..i wish i had the choice of Bird Food that you have,..here they have all the usual Seeds and Suet Balls and that's it,..the mess the birds leave from Suet Balls is incredible but that's it apart from Peanuts,..i tried Seeds for a year or more but had to stop as the seeds dropped were producing all kinds of plants,..weeds as well.
Good morning everyone @nultyphilip224, thank you for going to the trouble of finding that link about the Ogham stones, l intend to sit down with a cup of tea later so that l can concentrate and read it properly . That is really worrying about Baby B, so lucky that Whisper wasn't around. Also thank you for taking the time to post such lovely photos every day. At the risk of sounding cheesy, l look forward to seeing what delights lie in store each day. Your Spanish Bayonet tree will forever be "Nora Batty" to me now. I met the actress who played her (Kathy Staff) many years ago, she was a delightful lady. I think having foxes to contend with is quite enough, the thought of bears wandering around is very scary. Your river levels are high again, is that unusual for this time of year, or is it a more regular occurrence in this day and age ? I am lucky in the fact that there's a store not too far away that sells Mr B's restaurant supplies, l have never had much luck with fatballs, the birds round here don't seem very keen on them for some reason. Hedgehog appeared around 9 o'clock last night so it was still fairly light and OH hadn't put the camera out. He was unfazed though (Hedgehog that is, not OH), and just carried on eating as the camera was set up. Right, l must get on with the day, hope @Valley Gardener@Fran IOM and @Purplerain are all well.
Good Morning all. Another nice sunny one at the moment with only the possible shower. Yesterday was a nice warm day too. @nultyphilip224 Can't believe how that water level has risen so much since your last photos. Foxy Molly doesn't look too happy about it. Didn't realise we had another artist in our midst - you and @Valley Gardener. No end to the talents on this thread. The storm warnings would appear to be in South West England. What a worry little B is going to be. Doesn't seem to be an answer at the moment. I think animals can sense if someone is an animal lover. The dog walker sends our cat nuts and he waits in the hall for her arrival and also SIL is a favourite not forgetting me of course! My Dragon's Blood is potted up in a sunny place so shall wait for the change in colour. I have a potted Hosta at home and noticed it now consists of about four separate plants. Wouldn't like to upset it yet but when is the best time to split them? Spot the fish? Not sure if I can see it but is it around the orange colouring in the photo? Think I may need stronger specs. @AnniD Do you know your neighbours well enough to suggest they secure their bin so the foxes don't have a rummage? At least it wasn't a bear! I find the sparrows like the fat balls if they can get a look in as the jackdaws queue up on the pergola waiting their turn. Baby wood pigeon came by himself yesterday. Probably parents let him have a trial run. Have you noticed the flowers on the Heucheras are very popular with the bees? Even though the flower heads are minute they seem to manage whatever they do. Enjoyed Carol last night. Some beautiful plants in that garden and Carol enjoyed eating the produce particularly the peach! Everything must taste so different being so fresh. As the gardener said you wouldn't get that taste from anything bought in the SM. Of course Mr H wasn't fazed. He is now a celebrity having been painted and written about. Look forward to hearing from @Valley Gardener and @Purplerain later.
Good morning all. It's warm, dry and sunny at the moment and I have just put out three massive triffids otherwise known as tumbling toms. I think they can sink or swim now because bits break off as I struggle with them so they can stay out. How are yours getting on @AnniD? I had a great yield from them last year but we don't have the sun this year so I can only hope for the best. So your owl is only a couple of years old? That means @Fran IOM and I should be able to get one in the shops quite easily 😂.
I didn't know you painted @nultyphilip224. You must put up a photo of your efforts if you feel brave enough. This picture is by Rosina Wachtmeister and it is an original, done before she got famous for her cats. Some love it some don't lol:
I echo what Anni said about the effort you put in for everyone every day. It's much appreciated.
@Fran IOM I hope your slug problem is getting solved. Sometimes, needs must. I was looking at one of last years GW where Monty was taking leaf cuttings of Sedums. I couldn't find that episode online but I found a Carole Klein version here just in case you want more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05h3nrg
I enjoyed last nights episode on Channel 5 and what about those peaches?!!! I just noticed you posted before me, but have not read it yet.
@Valley Gardener I hope you are getting things back in order in the garden. As Philip said, it's enough to put you off gardening but I am sure you won't let the weather beat you.
I am ready to go off on my Wednesday walk and for once it looks promising. Have a good day everyone.
Good morning all. Still raining here, I never went into the garden yesterday it's too upsetting to look at.It's like winter here,with the heating on.
@Purplerain I think the colours on that picture are lovely,a nice combination. Yes I think @nultyphilip224 should definitely post some of his artworks.
Sea fish are much nicer to eat unless it's smoked trout, we kept a 17ft cabin cruiser moored in Poole harbour,for a few years in our younger days,and fished a lot off the islands in the harbour,also did lots of cockling on the shores of Brownsea. Gorgeous pics again Philip, you have so many subjects for some watercolours,fields water and flowers. @Fran IOM. It's going to be nice to watch your sedum turn blood red,what did you plant it in? Did you find a suitable shallow dish? I've split up Hostas at any time,they are so good natured,I just wish the slugs would lay off! It sounds as if your young pigeon is going it alone. That's now the case with Philips blackbird.
@AnniD I meant to say what lovely clear images of your hedgehog,and garden. I hope you've had no more scattering of bin contents from the local fox. I feel very lax not having any salad stuff in this year,I wish I had a stream to grow watercress!! My favourite. Not mad about toms or cues.
Off to town now,to try and find something to deter the jackdaws.....they keep landing on the bird feeders and tipping out the contents,it doesn't help that the neighbour feeds them lumps of bread.
Have a good day all.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
I thought I would post a photo, but with apologies to you @Valley Gardener. I was feeling quite low about the garden like you but just today it all seemed to take a jump, so don't give up hope x.
This is just part of the path that leads to the veg:
I had to add this. It's a Sambucus Nigra Black Lace with a lupin flowering in its first year called My Castle:
@Purplerain. Beautiful garden,what a great collection of planting,and I love the fence,just what we need to cut out next doors excavations! Is that the display of pots on the left that you were asking about? I like the greenyblue stand,what a good idea,one to copy I think,height,without anything flopping over! The Sambucus is a picture,I'm so glad you posted this,it's encouraged me to think things may recover,Thank you for sharing.😊
Ps We came back laden with bird food,and some deep round plastic see thru bowls to slot over the top of the feeders,also helps to keep things dry. They look like something from outer space now. We've had some rain,but not as heavy or as much today.
The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
@purplerain, lovely photos and what a collection of pots ! I like the orange arum (?) lilies behind the plant stand and the sambuca is lovely. Is that a hardy geranium in front of the conifer ? I don't think my tumbling tomatoes know that they're supposed to tumble, they are remaining stubbornly upright. I took one out of a basket and put it in a pot where it seems quite happy. My neighbour's ones that l gave him are hanging outside his front door and they are doing the same. I may be contacting the seed company if things don't change !
@Valley Gardener the forecast for the weekend (or at least the start of it ) is for dry weather, if not sunshine, hopefully you'll feel like getting out and having a sort out. It's a shame we're all so scattered about, we could give you a hand. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way. Mr B has been about, he came flying past the back door and came to a dead stop on the top of the coldframe just as l was about to come indoors. I had to reward such impressive skills with suet of course!
@Fran IOM we know the neighbours just to say "Good morning" to, l don't think they'd be that bothered about the fox to be honest, they have been known to leave their bins and boxes out for a couple of days after the collection guys have been. Funny thing is they have a dog that will bark at nothing, and he never made a sound! The bees are the same with salvia flowers, l have a white one by the backdoor with very few, quite small flowers on it , but they seem to find them. I planned to watch Carol Klein's programme from last week, let alone last night , but got sidetracked by the racing from Ascot 😊. Still, l got the pots washed. Hopefully l can catch up over pizza and salad tonight.
@Purplerain. On the lookout for the Owl as it shouldn't be too difficult to find having been bought recently. Love that picture of yours and googled Rosina W. and had a look at all her cat paintings. Didn't find any dead slugs today but lots of "slush" where they had been misfortunate. Many thanks for the link on sedum cuttings. Carol made it look so easy so will have to try sometime. I love the design of your garden with the walkway up to the veg patch and all your pots are looking good. Hope you enjoyed your walk. @Valley Gardener Such a shame you are having such bad weather and making you feel down about even going to have a look around. Feel quite guilty as yesterday and today have been almost like summer here. Do hope you get a taste of it soon. I did manage to find a flattish pot for my sedum. It's surprising what you don't know you have! The trouble with Hostas is the fact they disappear in the winter so you would have to split them whilst they are fully out. Trying to keep the slugs at bay. Was a bit worried about the baby wood pigeon with them being ground feeders as my visiting cat was around. I find if I put out the fat balls the jackdaws spend all their time with them and don't attempt to go on the seed feeders. You will have to let us know how you get on with your new purchases. @AnniD I know what you mean when you say you only know your neighbours to say Good Morning. Sounds as though it would be a waste of time asking them to secure their bins if they don't seem to be bothered. Strange the dog didn't bark as there must have been some noise going on. You have got some good programmes to catch up on with Carol Klein. You begin to feel as though you know her personally. At least you got your pots washed. It's good to see the bees are out in force now. Had my first lesson today with the new mower! Don't really need another as it is so easy and will save my knees when I was cutting it with the shears. Just rather heavy to get out of the shed but otherwise quite simple. Ideal for the "older lady". Just take the battery home and recharge it. Was so pleased with it. Now I have to wait for the new grass to grow. We can just see that it is starting to grow so in a month's time who knows. @nultyphilip224 Hope you have had a good day and that all are comings and goings aren't confusing you. Maybe you think "where did these women come from"! We are just so grateful for your thread and all the info and photos you post.
I was back and forth to the house a few times today,..no sign of little B,..probably got fed up waiting to be fed and dined elsewhere,..this evening i was looking up at the high wall and spotted a Blackbird,..a Female looking in the direction of the house it was peering from behind some foliage,..i watched it move to yet another spot and again it hid and peered down,..imagination or unusual tactics for a bird.
Lol when i was taking pictures of the ''Spanish Bayonet'',..i did think of it as the ''Nora Batty'',..so you met her years ago,..she will always be remembered for her part in ''Last Of The Summer Wine'',..a program i watch any day i am at home.
The river has risen by about a Metre in the past week,..it doesn't happen at this time of year that i can recall during the past 29 years,..there wasn't a lot of rainfall around here but it rained heavily from north of here so all their rainfall flowed down to us.
You are very lucky with the great variety of Bird Food from your local shop,..they have three or four Hardware Stores that sell Bird Food near here but limited to Fatballs,..Suet Blocks and a variety of seeds,..the alternative is order on Amazon,..i might do that.
Glad you added that it was the Hedgehog that was unfazed and not your OH lol.
Image captured at 0900 tonight and so the use of flash.
Posts
I like that Owl,..i am always planning to do a painting of an Owl but never seem to have the time to sit down and start,..other than that i have Water Colours,..Oils and Mixed Medium so really no excuse bar time.
I like all your blooms and nice to see them in some Terracotta pots as well,..i wish i had the choice of Bird Food that you have,..here they have all the usual Seeds and Suet Balls and that's it,..the mess the birds leave from Suet Balls is incredible but that's it apart from Peanuts,..i tried Seeds for a year or more but had to stop as the seeds dropped were producing all kinds of plants,..weeds as well.
Doggy Walk.
The River is high again.
@nultyphilip224, thank you for going to the trouble of finding that link about the Ogham stones, l intend to sit down with a cup of tea later so that l can concentrate and read it properly .
That is really worrying about Baby B, so lucky that Whisper wasn't around.
Also thank you for taking the time to post such lovely photos every day. At the risk of sounding cheesy, l look forward to seeing what delights lie in store each day. Your Spanish Bayonet tree will forever be "Nora Batty" to me now. I met the actress who played her (Kathy Staff) many years ago, she was a delightful lady.
I think having foxes to contend with is quite enough, the thought of bears wandering around is very scary.
Your river levels are high again, is that unusual for this time of year, or is it a more regular occurrence in this day and age ?
I am lucky in the fact that there's a store not too far away that sells Mr B's restaurant supplies, l have never had much luck with fatballs, the birds round here don't seem very keen on them for some reason.
Hedgehog appeared around 9 o'clock last night so it was still fairly light and OH hadn't put the camera out. He was unfazed though (Hedgehog that is, not OH), and just carried on eating as the camera was set up.
Right, l must get on with the day, hope @Valley Gardener @Fran IOM and @Purplerain are all well.
Laters x
Another nice sunny one at the moment with only the possible shower. Yesterday was a nice warm day too.
@nultyphilip224 Can't believe how that water level has risen so much since your last photos. Foxy Molly doesn't look too happy about it. Didn't realise we had another artist in our midst - you and @Valley Gardener. No end to the talents on this thread. The storm warnings would appear to be in South West England. What a worry little B is going to be. Doesn't seem to be an answer at the moment. I think animals can sense if someone is an animal lover. The dog walker sends our cat nuts and he waits in the hall for her arrival and also SIL is a favourite not forgetting me of course!
@AnniD Do you know your neighbours well enough to suggest they secure their bin so the foxes don't have a rummage? At least it wasn't a bear! I find the sparrows like the fat balls if they can get a look in as the jackdaws queue up on the pergola waiting their turn. Baby wood pigeon came by himself yesterday. Probably parents let him have a trial run. Have you noticed the flowers on the Heucheras are very popular with the bees? Even though the flower heads are minute they seem to manage whatever they do. Enjoyed Carol last night. Some beautiful plants in that garden and Carol enjoyed eating the produce particularly the peach! Everything must taste so different being so fresh. As the gardener said you wouldn't get that taste from anything bought in the SM.
Of course Mr H wasn't fazed. He is now a celebrity having been painted and written about.
Look forward to hearing from @Valley Gardener and @Purplerain later.
Enjoy your day all.
I didn't know you painted @nultyphilip224. You must put up a photo of your efforts if you feel brave enough. This picture is by Rosina Wachtmeister and it is an original, done before she got famous for her cats. Some love it some don't lol:
I echo what Anni said about the effort you put in for everyone every day. It's much appreciated.
@Fran IOM I hope your slug problem is getting solved. Sometimes, needs must. I was looking at one of last years GW where Monty was taking leaf cuttings of Sedums. I couldn't find that episode online but I found a Carole Klein version here just in case you want more:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05h3nrg
I enjoyed last nights episode on Channel 5 and what about those peaches?!!! I just noticed you posted before me, but have not read it yet.
@Valley Gardener I hope you are getting things back in order in the garden. As Philip said, it's enough to put you off gardening but I am sure you won't let the weather beat you.
I am ready to go off on my Wednesday walk and for once it looks promising. Have a good day everyone.
Still raining here, I never went into the garden yesterday it's too upsetting to look at.It's like winter here,with the heating on.
@Purplerain I think the colours on that picture are lovely,a nice combination. Yes I think @nultyphilip224 should definitely post some of his artworks.
Sea fish are much nicer to eat unless it's smoked trout, we kept a 17ft cabin cruiser moored in Poole harbour,for a few years in our younger days,and fished a lot off the islands in the harbour,also did lots of cockling on the shores of Brownsea.
Gorgeous pics again Philip, you have so many subjects for some watercolours,fields water and flowers.
@Fran IOM. It's going to be nice to watch your sedum turn blood red,what did you plant it in? Did you find a suitable shallow dish? I've split up Hostas at any time,they are so good natured,I just wish the slugs would lay off! It sounds as if your young pigeon is going it alone. That's now the case with Philips blackbird.
@AnniD I meant to say what lovely clear images of your hedgehog,and garden. I hope you've had no more scattering of bin contents from the local fox.
I feel very lax not having any salad stuff in this year,I wish I had a stream to grow watercress!! My favourite. Not mad about toms or cues.
Off to town now,to try and find something to deter the jackdaws.....they keep landing on the bird feeders and tipping out the contents,it doesn't help that the neighbour feeds them lumps of bread.
Have a good day all.
This is just part of the path that leads to the veg:
I had to add this. It's a Sambucus Nigra Black Lace with a lupin flowering in its first year called My Castle:
Ps We came back laden with bird food,and some deep round plastic see thru bowls to slot over the top of the feeders,also helps to keep things dry. They look like something from outer space now. We've had some rain,but not as heavy or as much today.
I don't think my tumbling tomatoes know that they're supposed to tumble, they are remaining stubbornly upright. I took one out of a basket and put it in a pot where it seems quite happy. My neighbour's ones that l gave him are hanging outside his front door and they are doing the same. I may be contacting the seed company if things don't change !
@Valley Gardener the forecast for the weekend (or at least the start of it ) is for dry weather, if not sunshine, hopefully you'll feel like getting out and having a sort out. It's a shame we're all so scattered about, we could give you a hand. I'll be sending positive thoughts your way.
Mr B has been about, he came flying past the back door and came to a dead stop on the top of the coldframe just as l was about to come indoors. I had to reward such impressive skills with suet of course!
@Fran IOM we know the neighbours just to say "Good morning" to, l don't think they'd be that bothered about the fox to be honest, they have been known to leave their bins and boxes out for a couple of days after the collection guys have been. Funny thing is they have a dog that will bark at nothing, and he never made a sound!
The bees are the same with salvia flowers, l have a white one by the backdoor with very few, quite small flowers on it , but they seem to find them.
I planned to watch Carol Klein's programme from last week, let alone last night , but got sidetracked by the racing from Ascot 😊. Still, l got the pots washed.
Hopefully l can catch up over pizza and salad tonight.
Have good evening all x
@Valley Gardener Such a shame you are having such bad weather and making you feel down about even going to have a look around. Feel quite guilty as yesterday and today have been almost like summer here. Do hope you get a taste of it soon. I did manage to find a flattish pot for my sedum. It's surprising what you don't know you have! The trouble with Hostas is the fact they disappear in the winter so you would have to split them whilst they are fully out. Trying to keep the slugs at bay. Was a bit worried about the baby wood pigeon with them being ground feeders as my visiting cat was around. I find if I put out the fat balls the jackdaws spend all their time with them and don't attempt to go on the seed feeders. You will have to let us know how you get on with your new purchases.
@AnniD I know what you mean when you say you only know your neighbours to say Good Morning. Sounds as though it would be a waste of time asking them to secure their bins if they don't seem to be bothered. Strange the dog didn't bark as there must have been some noise going on. You have got some good programmes to catch up on with Carol Klein. You begin to feel as though you know her personally. At least you got your pots washed. It's good to see the bees are out in force now.
Had my first lesson today with the new mower! Don't really need another as it is so easy and will save my knees when I was cutting it with the shears. Just rather heavy to get out of the shed but otherwise quite simple. Ideal for the "older lady". Just take the battery home and recharge it. Was so pleased with it. Now I have to wait for the new grass to grow. We can just see that it is starting to grow so in a month's time who knows.
@nultyphilip224 Hope you have had a good day and that all are comings and goings aren't confusing you. Maybe you think "where did these women come from"! We are just so grateful for your thread and all the info and photos you post.
Goodnight all.
I was back and forth to the house a few times today,..no sign of little B,..probably got fed up waiting to be fed and dined elsewhere,..this evening i was looking up at the high wall and spotted a Blackbird,..a Female looking in the direction of the house it was peering from behind some foliage,..i watched it move to yet another spot and again it hid and peered down,..imagination or unusual tactics for a bird.
Lol when i was taking pictures of the ''Spanish Bayonet'',..i did think of it as the ''Nora Batty'',..so you met her years ago,..she will always be remembered for her part in ''Last Of The Summer Wine'',..a program i watch any day i am at home.
The river has risen by about a Metre in the past week,..it doesn't happen at this time of year that i can recall during the past 29 years,..there wasn't a lot of rainfall around here but it rained heavily from north of here so all their rainfall flowed down to us.
You are very lucky with the great variety of Bird Food from your local shop,..they have three or four Hardware Stores that sell Bird Food near here but limited to Fatballs,..Suet Blocks and a variety of seeds,..the alternative is order on Amazon,..i might do that.
Glad you added that it was the Hedgehog that was unfazed and not your OH lol.
Image captured at 0900 tonight and so the use of flash.
Earlier images.
Same area.
Last nights visitor.