Mabel

Mabel, a photo by Shabby Tiger on Flickr.

I thought I'd show you a picture I took a few weeks ago at Caughton Court. A National Trust property in Warwickshire.
There seems to be quite a lot of scarecrows about this year, and each one I see has it's own " personality"
This one I've named Mabel, what a nice trim waist she has!
Although our garden isn't big enough for a full size scarecrow, I am tempted to make a miniature version.
There are quite a few open garden days coming up in our area soon, also there are a couple of scarecrow trails in surrounding villages. I shall be taking more pictures, to see what people come up with. Imagination and fun, two things which are always on my agenda!

Postcards from the seaside

Wish you were here.......

Garden delight!

From early morning it was blue sky today. So instead of doing all the mundane housework, ( I'll catch up tomorrow, honest!) we went the short trip to Calke Abbey. The gardens always look different no matter when you go, so this is how it looked today.....

.....the deer were taking it easy under the trees, but in the background you can just make out Foremark reservoir, see how low the water level is?
These deer have such good hearing, I was being so quiet, but he still heard my camera.....

...... Our sweet peas are just beginning to flower, but look at this sheltered border.....

....they are beautiful, and the scent is divine.....

....We weren't able to visit the physic garden today as when we arrived it had just been closed to the public due to swarms of bees. Apparently they had two swarms which were acting quite frenzied. One of the gardeners told us that they had "captured" two swarms and closed the hives, and the closure of the physic garden was because of any frenzied bees.
I know nothing of bee keeping, but it all seemed in hand. So we shall go back in a couple of weeks' time. That's the beauty of living so close!
Anyway, this is how the border in the formal garden looks today...

....everything looks glorious, the roses smelt gorgeous, there were so many. It's a good year for roses this year!
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....the main beds in the centre have been planted with dahlias, they should be stunning when in bloom. You can just make out the avaiaries in the background. They are now clear of all the birds and will not be used as aviaries in the near future. I wonder what happened to the silver pheasant who used to reside there? I shall have to ask next time we go.
The " plant theatre is filled with geraniums, ( pelargoniums)....

.... so many lovely colours.....

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... walking back these caught my eye.....

....nature offers us so much.

Summer colour

Well summer is supposed to be here, but the weather hasn't been the scorcher predicted, but then again, it never is, is it? But despite the cloudy skies and the rain, ( quite a bit at times) everything in the garden is blooming.
Over the last 18 months our back garden has had quite a makeover, and now that it is no longer shaded by those two dreadful diseased sycamore trees,
(which the local council removed earier in the year) everything looks much happier and healthier.
Here are a few pictures to show what it looks like now...

....we still have a lot of swapping and changing to do, but we were eager to get a lot of colour into the garden as quickly as possible...

we only havs small garden, approximately 25 feet wide by 35feet long, but we want to pack as much in as possible...

....the lawn has yet to be given its final shape but it's growing lovely now it sees so much sunshine.

....even the torch baskets are blossoming beautifully...

....the fuchsias are coming up now and they're giving us a good show...

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.....this is a new variety which we bought from our local nursery, and of course the beautiful roses...

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we have some lilies too...

...in various colours.....

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and this gorgeous pineapple broom smells wonderful!
The clematis are coming into their own now, so if it's a nice clear day i shouldbe able to get some nice pictures.
Our garden is very small but with all the colour, the small salad crop, summer berries and an apple tree, it's out little private paradise.

...Enjoy your weekend, whatever you do!