I am currently bringing the pergola back into shape. The beech from the hedge has got too thick for the trimmer so it has been sawed. the honeysuckle was an almighty mess, so it has been murdered,leaving the main stems on the uprights. Just the wisteria bit to do, then a huge pile of shredding which will wait for another day.
Back from lunch with friends. Had a lovely Remembrance service this morning in Church.
The French have lollipop trees all over the place. I think the French chap who cuts my logs thinks my garden is a mess. At the moment, because we went to England for 2 weeks, my garden is a bit of a mess though, I seem to have got behind.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
Think I've got my Under Gardener well trained ... I asked if he'd mind shaking the netting over the pond to get the fallen leaves off - next thing I see is that he's done that and has also raked the whole lawn free from fallen leaves
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
My under gardener still needs some serious training but has done well today - forked over half that bed under the albizzia which can't have been dug since it was planted and membraned. Stopped cos his back was aching but even so went on to dig up the honeysuckle which was growing through another membrane round a blue hibiscus. Couldn't save the honeysuckle cos of all its roots being so tangled up but we can get another and plant it somewhere more sensible as it had a lovely perfume.
All the shrubs and trees up at the house end of the garden have this green weed proof membrane on display in wee beds surrounded by stone. Our mixed hedge has it too and so does the sloping bed planted with dead dwarf conifers and some rather lovely hibiscus, a fuchsia and a bay tree. Going to take some sorting.
Haven't seen any lollipops in the immediate neighbourhood but on the home leg of walkies we spotted that someone has cut their magnificent liquidambar so it no longer has its lovely, graceful cone shape. Not a lollipop but definitely not right either. Shame.
I have done my painting and swear I can still see the ghost of a blue stripe. Will have to wait till tomorrow to see if I still can or am just being paranoid. I've also emptied and stashed an embarrassment of curtain fabrics from two wicker trunks - some left over from previous projects, some bought and never used and some donated by a friend who'd bought it for her house in Canada just before OH transferred to a job in Brussels. By the time they'd rented for a year or two and then bought their very grand bourgeois Belgian dream home her tastes had changed but they're perfect for a country home.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Evening all. The dog and I are cuddled under a blanket with a hot water bottle and a comforting film.
No under gardener here. No saucepan either for it went with my truck on his lordships day out; one presumes to warm the bacon that is absent from the fridge.
But to balance it out... the dog has thrown up all over his car. So perhaps I'll not fuss about the bacon.
Posts
I am currently bringing the pergola back into shape. The beech from the hedge has got too thick for the trimmer so it has been sawed. the honeysuckle was an almighty mess, so it has been murdered,leaving the main stems on the uprights. Just the wisteria bit to do, then a huge pile of shredding which will wait for another day.
Back from lunch with friends. Had a lovely Remembrance service this morning in Church.
The French have lollipop trees all over the place. I think the French chap who cuts my logs thinks my garden is a mess. At the moment, because we went to England for 2 weeks, my garden is a bit of a mess though, I seem to have got behind.
BL, a "mess" is an understatement where mine is concerned. Some dry, frost, sunny weather would help so I could get out to do some work in it.
Think I've got my Under Gardener well trained ... I asked if he'd mind shaking the netting over the pond to get the fallen leaves off - next thing I see is that he's done that and has also raked the whole lawn free from fallen leaves
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
My under gardener still needs some serious training but has done well today - forked over half that bed under the albizzia which can't have been dug since it was planted and membraned. Stopped cos his back was aching but even so went on to dig up the honeysuckle which was growing through another membrane round a blue hibiscus. Couldn't save the honeysuckle cos of all its roots being so tangled up but we can get another and plant it somewhere more sensible as it had a lovely perfume.
All the shrubs and trees up at the house end of the garden have this green weed proof membrane on display in wee beds surrounded by stone. Our mixed hedge has it too and so does the sloping bed planted with dead dwarf conifers and some rather lovely hibiscus, a fuchsia and a bay tree. Going to take some sorting.
Haven't seen any lollipops in the immediate neighbourhood but on the home leg of walkies we spotted that someone has cut their magnificent liquidambar so it no longer has its lovely, graceful cone shape. Not a lollipop but definitely not right either. Shame.
I have done my painting and swear I can still see the ghost of a blue stripe. Will have to wait till tomorrow to see if I still can or am just being paranoid. I've also emptied and stashed an embarrassment of curtain fabrics from two wicker trunks - some left over from previous projects, some bought and never used and some donated by a friend who'd bought it for her house in Canada just before OH transferred to a job in Brussels. By the time they'd rented for a year or two and then bought their very grand bourgeois Belgian dream home her tastes had changed but they're perfect for a country home.
Afternoon all.
Home from coal face duties. One more shift on Tuesday, then off for 3 weeks.
A wee siesta might be on the cards after last night's marathon 3 hours sleep. Must be wide awake for Planet Earth 2.
Enjoy what's left of the weekend.
Evening all. The dog and I are cuddled under a blanket with a hot water bottle and a comforting film.
No under gardener here. No saucepan either for it went with my truck on his lordships day out; one presumes to warm the bacon that is absent from the fridge.
But to balance it out... the dog has thrown up all over his car. So perhaps I'll not fuss about the bacon.
Well done,Reggie.
Are you allowed chocolate on your diet, Clari? I think you deserve some.
Fidget; I need to cut down on all sugars, including natural. I fear before long I shall be living off almond milk. Which at least makes supper easier!