Early & late.

A walk home in the early evening, saw the trees sparkle with the white white frost and hearing the robin sing in his tree, high up.
A lonely fox walks across the field, making most of the late afternoon sunshine.

Tower block.

A very windy wet morning. No sign of snow yet.
The nest in the tree opposite the bedroom window has got so big, wonder if that is like a tower block  to the birds.

Jaded spider plant.

I wonder why my spider plant looks a bit jaded , found one of the cats chewing it!
The cat that normally sits by me came onto my lap and stayed there for a long time, which is very unusual for her.
Every time I open the front door I scare of the pigeons as they have decided to roost on the roof of my house. So now my roof is one known as pigeon heights.

Brown pigeon.

Saw a completely dark brown pigeon in town. Very windy, but mild at the moment, but very overcast.
Fox is doing well so are the robin and blackbird. Apart from that it is quiet.

Deers & pigs.

Saw deers in a field with their white tails flashing,  pigs roaming around in a huge pig sty.
The lights reflecting on the streams and lakes making it look all eerie as we sped through the night through the countryside.

Woodpecker.

Heard a green woodpecker first, then saw it.
The pigeons seem to have made their home in the beech tree and with the robin and blackbird nearby, it's seems that the birds are happy to live near me. Which is good very good, it is quiet, no main road and sheltered , but got a windy corner.

Robin & Blackbirds

The robin sings his heart out from the sweet chestnut tree. A blackbird pops his head out from the hedge.  The female blackbird eats the last few orange berries.
My dad used to have a robin who visited him whenever he was in the garden and in the end the robin would feed from my dad's hand.

Pink Clouds.

The clouds were pink this morning, they looked like that they were warming up.
One geranium flower is braving the cold windy weather.
I hear the pigeons in the beech tree cooing.
No need for alarm clocks when nature is about. Really don't mind as I am more of a early morning person.
The seagulls are making the most of their holiday on the local pond, diving, swooping, swimming, and being feed along side the other water fowl.

Adding colour.

A cold damp day leads into a bright sunny morning, with yellow  and orange berries still around adding their colour.  Pigeons roosting in the beech trees.

Cats.

It's is the tom cat I thought it was who is being a pest towards my two females he has been caterwauling  outside in the back garden in the rain and he is soaked, my cats refuse to go out.
I don't blame the cat it is not his fault, but his owner, you cannot take his manhood away she says. Quite a lot of people say the same thing! Come on people not unless you are going to breed from them have both male and females done it's kinder to them, no unwanted kittens ,no smelly tom cats scents indoors ,no spraying indoors. Rant over.

The very pale moon still visible at 9am. It disappeared about 9:25.

TV Nest.

Some birds have made a nest on a tv aerial and they look like magpies.
I think I solved the mystery of the cats, I heard cats having an argument so I opened the back door as quietly as I could, saw my feisty cat on the fence giving this un neutered tom what for, (I do know he is un neutered) , she looked at me as to say I don't need your help I am sorting this problem out myself. She did sort it out bless her. It is a shame as the tom is a lovely cat.

A Pink Moon?

I do not know if I was seeing correctly this morning, but the moon which was full looked pink . There was no airplanes in sight , because at first I thought it could of been a red light reflecting. Then I had an other look and the moon in part the lower part did look pink and it look like the moon was covered in a mist.

Fox and cats.

The fox has made its home in the dog kennel right at the back of the garden. I do know that the cats and the fox get along well as I saw them together . So it is still a mystery what has upset the cats. They have been outside but when they do they do have a good look round and sniff the air. Then run I out  then come back in quickly . I was wondering if there is some un neutered toms about, we have got quite a few this way, or could it be the magpies we have got a few of those as well.  I think I have said before my cats have all be done.
The dog kennel was a present for the cats from my sister many years ago, so if it rains they could stay in there to keep dry reasoned my sister, but sis they have never used it, so glad the fox is using it.

Frosty morning.

Woke up to a fine frosty morning,blue skies and then noticed a flock of pigeons on the roof tops opposite.
In a tree nearby there is a lone nest tucked away near the middle of the tree. It is a magpie nest just seen them fly to it and settled down for a few minutes.

Birds.

Went to visit a friend and while I was sitting in the living room, I noticed a lot of fluttering didn't take much notice at first, it was going on for a while, then I had a proper look , their next door neighbours had put up  some bird feeders in the trees near the window, and they were having a good time the, starlings, blackbirds, sparrows and even a magpie.
Saw blue tits in my garden they only seem to visit me in the winter and early spring, but it is nice to see them.
I did used to feed the birds, but we had a very bad pigeon problem and it was a very bad problem, but it seems to be sorted now, so at the time I had to stop feeding the birds, one day I counted at least 30 pigeons in my garden ,I stopped counting after that, I wasn't the only one who had that problem. The pigeons now are only a small flock .

Busy morning .

Who was more startled the fox or me, as I opened the front door to put the rubbish out. It is looking well, nice shiny coat. Glad to see it again.
Saw a bird of prey hovering, it looked like it was ready to pounce on its prey. Saw two ducks on a huge lake swimming away happily. Then saw a collie rounding up the sheep. All this on a train journey what lasts about 20 minutes and not forgetting the horses in the fields with their coats on this misty,drizzly morning. Then I left the station a magpie came over to greet me, it's mate was in the trees nearby, I said good morning to them both.

Only bird.

The only bird I hear this morning is the the resident robin. But where the other birds are I do not know, it is so quiet.
Ps just heard the birds, they must of overslept!

Icy rain and wind.

Cold icy rain, cold icy wind, now is the time to wear my hat,scarf and gloves.but it is nice  to be out and about.

Bright and sparkled.

A warm bright sunny autumn afternoon, the brown,golds and russets shone brightly against the blue and green background.
The frost sparkled  in some places and the fog was in other places.

Evening Chorus.

Watching the birds going to roost. Hearing their evening chorus, so much is said about the dawn chorus, so it's nice to mention the evening chorus.

Beady eyes.

A still morning nothing moving apart from some fine drizzle.
I feel the beady eyes of the robin, I hear him, but do not see him.

Black & white.

A flash of black and white flew in front of me on this misty drizzly, morning.
The seagulls are on holiday , they have come to town to spend winter with us.

Phobia.

The other half said that I am doing well in the garden. To be honest I am enjoying it, I never thought I would  say that, as I was younger I had a bit of a phobia about being outside. Even know I have to give myself a good talking to at times to get out there.
Why I have got this phobia I do not know, but when I get out there I enjoy myself and when I look at the garden I think I done that.

Colour.

A grey dank rainy morning, then I see a cluster of red berries to colour the morning.

Pleasant time.

Spent a pleasant time in the garden weeding, it was  a nice and sunny morning, so I thought I would make the most of the weather. Cleared the weeds, picked up the dead leaves, noticed that the honeysuckle had bloomed in a couple of places, it is going slowly into its winter sleep.
Looking at the lichen, from a grey green colour to a really bright green. Lichen has always fascinated me the way it grows and the so many different colours of green.

Officially closed.

The slugs and snails mansion is now officially closed for the winter, it will re-open hopefully in the spring or when the weather gets warmer.
But robin's residence hall has opened for the winter, but no other guests are welcomed at the moment.

Robin's residence.

A robin has taken up residence in the front garden, i wonder if it is a relative of the one who used to live here. I was not quiet sure if  it was living here but I have seen and heard it and there is a lot of activity in the trees in the front. He has not been there long as the front garden has not long been cleared up and work done. But it is nice that he has made a home with us. He was very vocal this morning outside the bedroom window. Welcome robin.

Dawn chorus.

The dawn chorus was outside my bedroom this morning.
It is a nice morning at the moment, the sun is out ,the sky is mainly blue at the moment, but the rain clouds are coming overhead, quite quickly.
The honeysuckle is now going into its winter sleep, but the geraniums are still going strong and the cyclamen also.

Early walk.

Went for a early morning walk in the rain and blew away all the cobwebs. It was not raining hard, it was the soft gentle rain. Saw two pied wagtails, I like to think that they were playing kiss chase.
Saw loads of roses in bloom, but they are gradually fading away.
The leaves are still clinging on to the branches, but the ones that have fallen are wet and slippery, it was only a week or two ago that they were dry and crispy and they went crunch crunch when you walked through them.

Early hours.

Waking up in the early hours and seeing the moon in the mist, quite creepy.
No slug rescue today so far.
Open the front door to a damp morning and the hedges glistening in the dark and the paths also, but quiet, I am up before the birds. It is so peaceful  and still no wind, no rain just stillness.

Slug rescue.

Spoke to soon had to rescue a slug, it was trying to get in.
Just wet and grey again, must start looking round properly and see what nature is up to.

No slugs or snails.

Nothing but rain and wind today.
Went into the back garden and noticed that I have no slugs or snails now. Just wet leaves everywhere.

Toadstools or mushrooms.

Toadstools under the beech tree, or they could be mushrooms.
Heavy rain then sunshine, heavy rain, then sunshine and so on, then an early dusk.
Like the word dusk. My word for the week.

Sunrise, dusk.

A beautiful sunrise to a grey dull dusk.

A bat and a owl

A bat flew past, and further down the road, saw an owl in full flight. Words cannot describe the feelings and sight of seeing the bat and owl. Beautiful  really beautiful.

Hitching.

Going through the countryside by train , my usual journey and the landscape looks so different, to what it looked liked in summer. In summer the colours were so vibrant and now it's mellow,stuble.
Saw a magpie hitching a ride on the back of a sheep.

Silhouettes.

Looked out the window to see the trees and bushes making a silhouette against the late afternoon sky, before it got dark. The leaves were whirling about in the wind, really got windy again. The plants at the moment are being battered again in the wind and it's cold.

The same flock.

Went out late afternoon, again a flock of birds flew by, I am sure that they are the same ones that flew past me this morning, anyway they cawed goodnight. Goodnight birds, see you again soon.
Woke up to a very wet grey, green , brown day,

November morning.

It is a proper November  cold damp morning . As I was putting out the rubbish, thinking i have got the wrong day, as there was no other rubbish out , I saw a small flock of birds flying over , cawing away , like they was saying good morning .
Saw a beautiful coloured snail on the food waste bin , it was a light brown. So I put it on the ground out of harms way.
It looks like  it is going to be a nice day. Hopefully I can get into the gear den later and do some weeding.

Clear night.

A clear night with the stars twinkling, then a few thin clouds came over.
They done the street lamps which is good, as it was not really safe with the light as it is very dark . But you really don't see the night sky in all it's glory, but it is a small price to pay, safety comes first.
Then woke up to a lovely morning , blue sky, sun shining, and one of the cats sitting in amongst the geraniums, I think she thinks she is one.

Geraniums .

My apple blossom geraniums have done so well still in bloom. To think they were in a sale, they should be very proud of themselves. So pleased.
The cyclamen has also put on a very good show as well, also very pleased with it.
With the warm weather we just had and now the rain, I need to out out to weed , between the slabs are worse then ever, it is like they have grown overnight.
Yes I still have the slug and snail mansion. Plenty of both to been seen. But no fox where it's gone I do not know hope it's ok.
The honeysuckle is still in leaf which is unusual as it normally dies down, but I suppose with the mild weather lately and warmth, it wanted to enjoy the lovely weather.
Hopefully the winter won't seem to long now.

Slug and snail mansion.

It's has been very quiet. Just gloom, rain and fog, quite thick fog.
A friend was moaning about an owl in the trees near her,calling to its mate, told her to send them over to me, I have them anytime.
If my house had a name I'd call it it the slug and snails mansion. Yep they are back, but to be honest I don't mind. The other day a slug was having an argument with one of my cats,don't worry the cat wasn't hurting it,just sitting quietly looking  at it.
At the moment it's sunny.

Not sure.

Not sure about the clocks going back an hour, the afternoons getting dark early and the mornings lighter, still not sure.
The street lamps where I live  are not working and it is so dark, we have only got the lights from the houses shining but that's all the light we have got, a call to the council will be needed. You need a torch at the moment. A plus though you can see the stars twinkling.
Was going to dig up the mums up but they are budding again. Was going to put the spring bulbs in , but haven't got round to do it. That's a job for the next week.

Allotment & container growing.

Dull start , then the sun came out.
Friend's cacti have put on an excellent show again, they have got cacti fingers.
Their allotment has now been dugged over  ready for the next lot of planting, not sure what they are going to grow this time, but I do know runner beans are going to be grown again.
I have decided that I am going to to do container growing next year, so I am going to get myself all the things I need now and be ready to start. Not sure what to grow, but will start small and easy.

Winter won't be long.

Went on my regular train journey but at a different time, late afternoon,dusk time. The countryside looks so different , brooding at this time of year. Saw loads of rabbits amongst the sheep, saw a large herd of white cattle, they stuck out like a sore thumb against the dusk.
Today went on an other train trip and saw partridges in the fields.
The hills were covered in a mist and there was a slight drizzle, no wind everything was still, a lot of the red berries have gone. The wild blackberries seemed to of shrivelled up and are going into their winter sleep. The apples trees seem to be doing the same.
It won't be long and winter will be here and the clocks are going back this weekend. Then we know winter won't be long.

After the winds.

After the high winds, there was not much damage. The beech tree lost some branches, but apart from that nothing else happened.its still windy but not as bad as it has been.
Just piles of leaves here there and everywhere . You cannot crunch through them as they are damp, shame.
The slugs and snails seemed to gone into hiding not seen them the past couple of nights. The ants nest is still there .

Very windy.

Very windy,no rain at all at the moment. Was told that the bad weather is coming down our way later this afternoon.
The beech and sweet chestnut leaves have been blown into the front garden, I live on a very windy corner. So at the moment it's crunch crunch time walking up the path.
Sun keeps popping out and then hiding behind the clouds. It's playing peek a boo.

Magpie and moon.

Found a dead bird on the pavement so I put it on the grass out of people's ways , as there was no where else to put it. I normally cannot handle dead animals but had to for this poor bird.We then was driving along when a magpie decided to fly under the car from the bonnet to the boot. We heard a thud so, so we stopped as soon as we could safely could and the other half looked under the car and saw nothing no bird anywhere, I thought he was seeing things at first, but I heard the thud. So we assumed it flew right under the car as we looked back to where it happened and saw no magpie.
This morning I woke up in the early hours and saw it was pitch black, then all of a sudden the moon came out and shone a soft pale glow. ,to be honest I didn't realise what light comes from the moon as it lit up quite a bit, it's something I took for granted.

Rain and wind.

Rain and wind. Weathermen say that will get the end of the the storm which is in the Atlantic at the moment soon. Some to look forward not!
But my geraniums are still flowering bravely , so proud of them.
Sunshine and wind at the moment the clouds are blowing across the sky very quickly. A mixture of grey and white clouds and a bit of  blue sky.

Hedgehogs.

The sweet chestnuts empty cases look like baby hedgehogs . It is now dropping it's leaves. The beech tree has less leaves now ,soon it will be bare.
Hedgehogs do not come round this way but badgers do. My sister as she lives near a wood has all sorts of wild life come into her garden.
I think I am the capital city of slug and snails, spiders coming in a close second.
It's been a warm sunny day so far with a slight drizzle. But it has turned windy.
I was reminded that 27 years ago about the big storm that didn't happen according to some people never happened. Well it did I was awake through it all with my eldest in bed with me. Next day we had to pick my dad up from hospital after having a bypass done. He was so,worried that we couldn't make it but we did. He was a charge nurse by profession and he made a very bad patient. His words not mine.

Curled up spider.

Woke up to a nice sunny autumn morning , nice and warm as well. But as the day progressed it got duller and greyer, then a quick but heavy rain shower came and went.
It's Ben very quiet round here not much in the animal department, as the building is going on behind me. But got the slugs and snails they are still with me!
I have got a big spider by my front door and it looked that it was dead as it seemed to be in the same position for ages I gently touched its web and boy did it moved. It's a good job that I like spiders . But the way it just sat there curled up you would of thought it dead.

Mist & repaired.

While waiting for my bus, I was looking at the mist over the fields, it looked rather spooky.
The workmen have repaired the fence they broke, so if the fox comes back it won't be able to come through that way.
Just a day of drizzle, after yesterday's downpours.

Torrential rain.

Been told by my daughter our area is supposed to have torrential rain from tonight. So where ever you are I do hope that the weather is ok with you, and if not please keep safe.
My Virginia Creeper has finally begun to change colour from green to the reddish colour. Mine seems to behind the others I have seen. The wall near me is covered by orange and red berries against the Virginia Creeper in its autumn colours. Very beautiful.

A jay.

Left the house this morning and walked round the corner and had a lovely suprise a jay was in the sweet chestnut tree. And it was quite close, so I could see its beautiful colours .
Watching the rain drops rippling the pond and all the water fowl was undercover as we had yet an other downpour and a thunderstorm .

Contrast of weather.

The contrast of the weather always amazes me. Yesterday it was tipping down , then it was a nice sunny afternoon. Today it started of as nice morning, now it has come all over grey and had a quick rain shower. The weather knows that I have to go out later and it's trying to catch me to get me wet, as I have avoided getting wet so far.
Had to rescue an other slug again, from indoors.
The beech tree has lost most of its leaves now and most of the nuts have fallen.
The fox is nowhere to been seen, as they are building behind the back garden now and as you can gather very very noisy. Hopefully I will see it again, do hope so.
And the sweet chestnut tree is still clinging on to its leaves.

1 dry cat, 2 wet cats

The cats stayed out last night in all that rain, still raining now, but anyway back to the cats 1 comes in all dry the other 2 soaking wet. So where the cat who is dry goes I do not know, mind you he does not like the rain at all that one. One of the wet cats came in plonked herself by me and shook her herself over me sending a miniature shower over me. Thank you very much I said to her, she just looked at me as to say ha ha.
It's going to be a wet day today grey and dismal so nothing is going to get done in the garden, thank goodness most of it was done in the good weather. Just a few loose ends to clear up now.

Windy month.

You know it's October now, the winds and rain. March used to be the windy month but I think October is going to take over March's title as the windy month.
My apple blossom geraniums  are still giving a very brave show and so is my cyclamen.

Red sky.

A beautiful red sky this morning words cannot describe it. The autumn colours against the red background beautiful.

Lovely afternoon.

Watching 4 swans glide across the pond so elegantly. Seagulls swimming in the same pond having a good time.
Walked past some late conkers on the ground and big ones at that.
The cactus I thought that would never flower, has 2 white flowers , it done that quietly. So pleased.
Now the sun has popped out and it's a lovely late autumn afternoon.

Spider and rats.

Went out to hang washing out and walked smack bang into a huge spider web. The spider was not happy with me!
While talking on the phone to a friend , they said that they just saw a huge rat walk across their garden from their neighbours . They wondered if  the rats are living under the decking they recently put up.
I used to keep fancy rats and they were as lovely as could be, but brown rats, sewer rats not for me I give them a wide berth.
Next door has cut their holly tree down shame, but it's their garden.

Autumn is here.

The roses that surrounds the river are in full bloom, putting on a lovely show. The Virginia Creeper what is growing on the church wall opposite the river is now in its autumn colour and tome butterfly bushes are in bloom, making a lovely picture, never thought to take photos!
Now autumn is really here in this neck of the woods. 1st October  already but it has been nice to have this late warm weather, but at the moment it is grey and windy out there, but as we know it can all change.
The sweet chestnut tree didn't do to well this year, but the beech tree did. Still crunch,crunch underfoot.
Time for the very last grass cutting front and back I think, that can be done tomorrow.

Robins.

I was listening to the robin this morning, wondering if it's from the same family from previous robins who lived in my front garden. I had one who was so aggressive it was unbelievable, you walked out the front door out it came defending its patch. In the end he got used to us, but anyone else out he came so angry, used to frighten people, but what could I do? But after a while he calmed down a bit. The one what I heard this morning sounded just like him. Also sometimes in the night you could hear the robin . I like to think he was our guard dog, in my area we did and still do have quite a bit of cold calling. To be honest he got used to the postman. So he was handy when cold callers came.
So with this one , I was wondering if he is a relative of the previous robin?
I like robins apart from them being aggressive, they are no bother to me.

Quiet.

One for sorrow, two for joy! Water lilies galore. Geese flying overhead. Apart from that grey dull and drizzle. Garden is quiet. Everything quiet here.

Cawing.

Heard cawing early morning as I was putting the rubbish out, first time I heard it for a very long time. The birds are busy now eating the berries.
My honeysuckle has started to bloom again, as I have said before it's a early bloomer, mind you it didn't really do to well, maybe it thinks it can do better second time around.

Parakeets and squirrels.

An other flock of parakeets flew over and they came from the direction from where my sister lives. Just wondering if they are the same flock that visit her.
The local pond has now been cleaned up and it looks so much better, also the water fowl looks happier and there is plenty, ducks,swans, geese, moorhens.
The weather is topsy turvey today sunshine and showers. No garden work for me today, I work better in the garden in the morning, so that is tomorrow morning sorted.
A squirrel crossed the main road this morning and the traffic stopped to let it cross.

Poppies for next year.

Found a packet of seeds , so I sowed them this morning they are poppies, mixed coloured. They said to sow now for next year so have done so. They need full sun and in the front that's is where I get most of the sun. Hopefully I will remember that I have sowed them . The front needs brighting up.
A friend saw a badger at 2am going through the leaves, I have not yet had the badger in my garden yet.

A promising day.

Woke up to a promising day and the weather was a lot better than yesterday . Warm, a pale yellow sun  and partly cloudy.
While we were driving along 3 parakeets flew along side us for a while, they looked as if  they was escorting us. Then we turned round the corner and startled a partridge.
Saw a dragonfly hovering for a while, the beautiful colours  was so beautiful .
Picked up two conkers, so nice and brown and shiny. Saw a load of acorn cups. The trees now are beginning to take on the autumn tints.

A subtle coloured day.

A grey green brown day, with a slight drizzle in the wind.
A flock of birds in the cornfield . A magpie on the tv areial having a discussion with its mate in the tree. No slugs or snails. Pigeons roosting on the roof. All in all a quiet day.

After the storm.

Woke up to a storm in the early hours. The lighting was so bright , but the thunder was not to bad. I never slept through a storm . So when I got up which was a bit later than usual, it was to a damp but bright morning. The garden has been refreshed by the rain, the plants ,grass trees look so much better for having some rain water.
Found a snail climbing in my mums, I didn't have the heart to move it, maybe I should of done, but hey I thought you look happy, I am still a bit groggy after being woken up by the storm and getting up later than usual.
Maybe it's because I don't mind  living with the snails, slugs and other insects, that my little patch at the back doesn't seem to have to much damage to it. Still got the ant hill In the front, but not one single ant has been indoors as far as I know, most years I did have a problem. Just thinking the little souls think you leave us alone we leave you alone. The same goes to the other little souls.
The air is so much cooler and fresher after the storm we just had, very nice indeed. So hopefully the rest of the day will be a good day weather wise .

Misty morning.

As I was putting out the recycling out this misty morning I had a good look round , there are a load of orange berries, the leaves not the trees are slowly turning colour .
Everything was so still and quiet, no birds around at all at the moment.
All the summer flowers seem to be tucking themselves up for winter.
When I was clearing up the flower bed in the back garden ,the two rose bushes I thought I lost earlier this year, have got a lot of leaves ,i am so happy as they were special .
Heard the fox last night, but not seen it for a while, well they have finally started to build behind me an other lot of houses, I know people have to live somewhere, but here is so overcrowded. But never mind , so I think the fox has moved on.
This morning opening the back door, I noticed a very small slug on the inside of the door, I always leave the back door open at night just in case the cats want to come in, before I go to bed, so the slug crept in. When I came back from putting out the recycling , it was gone.
 Hopefully it will be an other nice day,

Spider lace.

Woke up to a foggy morning. Opened the front door saw a beautiful spider web with a few droplets of dew . I was reading somewhere can't remember ,a spider web as  spider lace. I think that sounds really nice
The sweet chestnut tree has loads of sweet chestnuts ready to fall.
The day has turned into a lovely September day, as I said before a soft warm sort of day.

Lawns done.

Just finished the grass front and back. Spiders galore. Good job I like them, slugs I am gradually liking them.
The trench is now down , it amazes me that a small animal can burrow like they do underground ,they make it look so easy, but us humans well we do find it difficult at times or should I say I did..
The beech tree is still dropping nuts pigeons are still eating them, but no signs of the squirrels. The sweet chestnut haven't dropped their bounty yet, have to have a proper look when I go past.

Busy Saturday morning .

Sitting outside watching the men creasoting the shed. Done the trench, boy was it hard work, but it's been done.
Now to clear up some branches that was just cut from the apple tree.
Found some white cyclamen growing wild, they look gorgeous.

Thank you dad.

A lovely soft warm September afternoon. This is the weather I enjoy most of all.
Down my friend place to help dig the trench tomorrow . Back Sunday night, so Monday weather permitting the lawns will have their last cut. The back lawn is drying out nicely so it should be ok to cut properly.
Went to the garden centre and saw they have started to sell bulbs so will ponder over the weekend what to get, but I know what's on top of the list hyacinth bulbs, but what colours? I always have some hyacinths in memory of my dad, he always potted some up for winter.
Dad once again thank you, sorry it's taken along time for me to love gardening like you used to.
Still miss you every day. And in September as well.

Busy weekend.

Going to be a busy weekend , going to help dig a trench for electrical cable. I think I am a Jill of all trades and mistress of none.
One job I won't be doing this year as it's all ready been done and that's doing the conifer hedge usually it's this time of the year it is trimmed up. Going to miss doing and the smell of the clippings

A mixed day of good and bad jobs.

Hedge clippers didn't let me down , got done what I wanted to do and more. Found a very posh pair of secataurs do not remember buying them, not unless I borrowed them, will have to find out.
Did my least favourite job cleaning out the food waste bin. It was disgusting , and the reason why I found was that it does not close properly, so need to get a new one. It was washed out with a strong floral disinfectant so it is now smelling nice and clean. Won't say what there was in there, yes I will maggots. Uck! But I didn't realise that the lid was not closing properly till today. Enough of that. I do clean it out regularly honest. It just happen this week.
My geraniums and mums are giving a good show, my roses are now stop flowering ,they did do a good show and 1 I thought I lost with all that rain earlier this year is growing beautifully .

Fox and pigeons

The other night the fox came up to the living room window had a good look in then wandered off.
The hedge clippers are now working so will be in the garden later.
The beech tree has drops a loads of nuts, so it's scrunch scrunch time again. When I walked passed the tree there was some pigeons having a feast on the nuts. Not seen the squirrels though still at the moment.
Autumn chill in the morning and evening now .

Pleasant morning. & afternoon.

Out in the garden , it's chilly but sunny lovely blue sky and there are loads of spangly spider webs and there is a big one between the 2 washing lines. Really beautiful.
Went to tidy up the hedge but the hedge clippers gave up on me! But at least the grass is cut.
Saw the stream where I work for the first time in ages, it has been cleaned out ,it's looking good. The white roses are still flowering and in bud, they surround the stream. The church yard is covered in greenery  you cannot see the grounds as the tree, bushes have grown well.
Now at the moment the evening sun is gorged and warm a very pleasant evening.

A ride out.

Woke up this morning to the sun trying to break through the mist and it did so to a lovely day.
Went for a trip into the country, by bus and train, saw loads of berries on the trees , on bushes ,shrubs. From orange to the most deepest red you could find.
The leaves are now beginning to change colour , so has the landscape, with all the corn cut, now all stubbly , some places there are chocolate furrows. Most of the corn is in. There is no red poppies or corn flowers to see, but plenty of birds foraging the cut fields.
Going through the big arches of the trees on either side of the road, it was all dappled with the sun .
Plenty of wild flowers growing along the banks. But was unable to identify , you really need to be out walking not stuck on a bus or train. Saw loads of evening primroses , that I can identify.
Saw saddleback pigs in a field, looking very happy and contented. Sheep galore munching away. Saw no deer this time.

Still and quiet.

It's dull, overcast, gloomy morning, nothing really has happened. But my geraniums are putting a brave show, so are my mums.
The cats are waiting to come in after spending the night out. Must admit they stay in the garden they do not wander.
Everything is so still out there and quiet. But that can all change. You never know with Mother Nature.

Pleasant time in the park.

Went to the park after picking up granddaughter . Haven't been to this park for ages, go pass by bus often.
Saw plenty of Canadian geese. To be honest you hear them first before you see them. Saw the moorhens and their young, plenty of ducks, didn't see the swans they must of been on the other pond.
While we were in the play area we saw squirrels, look nanny the squirrels are looking for nuts said granddaughter.
It was lovely to walk through there again. I used to go there when I was younger with my dad. Then I took all tree of mine there as well.
The horse chestnut trees there have a load of conkers to drop. I love the green spikey cases they come in and the creamy white insides. But you can see that autumn is coming.  Even though it was overcast it was still warm. Had a pleasant time in the park.
Before I forget they are cleaning the ponds out and the surrounds,

Dawn chorus.

Woke up to the dawn chorus this morning first time in ages. The birds here have been very quiet for a long time, so it was nice to hear them, also it brightened up a misty, dull morning.
Saw my fox last night it decided to sleep on the lawn in front of the hedge. I think it is a male fox, he has got a beautiful red coat and his tail is so bushy. My cats like him, they had a bit of a chat with him , there is respect between them, I was watching this quietly from the living room.
The horse chestnuts are now beginning to drop their conkers and their leaves are beginning to change colour.
My sister said wild parakeets are visiting her garden now, eating the pears from her trees, which she has got a lot off.
My second geranium is finally coming into flower , it's looking good.

I do like gardening now!

Spent a pleasant afternoon in the garden, doing the autumn tidy up. Now need to cut the grass and get rid of the bramble, would like to do it now, but I wouldn't be popular with my neighbours as it's only turned  7 am.
I think my garden is the capital city of slugs and snails. I found so many, found a caterpillar as well the first one I seen for a long time. Still got my clump of nettles.
And worms galore and other insects as well I have noticed. Spiders there was so many, it's amazing really in a small garden how there is so much wildlife. You really don't notice it until you go and work out there in the garden.
The weatherman says we are going to get a warm September, which will be nice, so I can go out in the garden for a bit longer, I am really enjoying this gardening lark, my dad would be so pleased. I now can understand why he enjoyed gardening, but it is a shame he is not here .
Right need to get my priorities  right, cup of tea, down town, then come home do the grass, while out there, plan my trip to the garden centre for Wednesday as they got some special offers for autumn .

The bramble is back.

Took a turn in the garden and noted all the little jobs that have to be done. The bramble has really grown again.
There is a bit of private waste ground behind the back garden and it's really overgrown now, it used to be garages but they where pulled down and houses were supposed to be built there , but nothing has been done, and that's is where the bramble is coming from. Thank goodness I have got strong gloves and pruners to do the job.
When past the local pond and saw men cleaning it out, getting rid of all the rubbish , that people throw in , it's near a bus stop and need I say anything more?
But the pond has been filled with  a lot of wild fowl, but not to much there is ample room for them all.
I have notice that some of the leaves are beginning to turn colour . The autumn chill and scent won't be long in coming.
The big beech tree near me is looking lovely and the sweet chestnut tree also. Not seen any squirrels lately, but it won't be long.
Saw my first dropped acorn the other day, beautiful trees oak trees, all trees are lovely. I think I am a tree hugger person.
Had a visitor in the other day, a slug going up the back door, it was going fast, very fast I would say, but the other half rescued it and put it back outside.

Not grass cutting.

Well I will not be cutting the grass in this rain! I knew this was going to happen. But never mind .
But I have got plans for the garden next year. I will be sorting it out over the coming months in time for next year.

A good time.

On my usual train trip, while going through the countryside I saw 3 deers, in a field, which is very unusual, as it's the first time in 2-3 years since I have been travelling on that line that I have seen deer.
Have been away for a few days and while away saw a heron by the riverside also saw starlings which I haven't seen for a while even at home.
The landscape where I stayed was so different to home, it was so flat, it reminded me of holland . The countryside there was so flat, green and gorgeous, sheep galore. The coastline was shingle and many interesting plants I will have to look them up. All in all had a good time.

Gardening is not a chore now.

The back garden looks a bit better now, but still got a long way to go, but I will get there. The funny thing though is I thought I wouldn't enjoy gardening but I do now. One time it was a chore, maybe I am mellowing in my old age.
But the garden front and back is going to have a rest for a few days as I am going away for a few days, when I come back weather permitting the lawns needs cutting, but most of the tidying up is done.
When I put the recycling out the boxes were covered in snails, it's a good job I like snails, picked  them up and put them safe, no I am not one of those people who chuck them over the fences, I put them safe. Then I moved a box and inside there was the biggest slug going, I left it there , I am not brave to pick up slugs, mind you I have got a cat who likes to bring them in, then she takes them out, but she doesn't harm them.
The weather at the moment is lovely, a blue sky the sun is out not to hot just right and a nice breeze.
Just noticed the pigeons are back they tend to roost on the roof  opposite me. They haven't been around for a while.

Sunshine and showers.

Sunshine and showers, a beautiful rainbow. Plus an hour, work in the garden , what more could I ask for, to get rid of today's stresses?
Found some really lovely bowls that I can use planting up hyacinths for the winter. A good wash and they will be already for the bulbs, but what colours shall I choose, I will wait and see what takes my fancy nearer the time.

Summer has taken a break.

At the moment summer has taken a break, it's a bit chilly, overcast and windy.
Operation tidy up the garden is now on. One last cut of the hedges and prune the tree is now on, then a general tidy up of the whole garden and not forgetting to mow the lawns.
But with our weather you can never tell, this time next week it can be boiling hot again, so that is why I am taking advantage of this cooler weather. The morning and evenings are quiet chilly now, so I have sorted out cold weather clothing for the colder months ahead, as I prefer either early morning or late afternoon, early evenings to do the garden it suits my moods, but when I have to use machinery i do at a sensible time, so not to annoy the neighbours.
I think it was in the last post I said I haven't seen the fox for a while, well later that day I saw it, not sure what sex it is at the moment. It's seems to be friends with one of my cats which is good.  And I do hope it's stay with us during the winter.
It won't be long now and the squirrels will be walking along the fence to get to the beech tree and to collect the beech nuts for their stores and not forgetting the sweet chestnut tree which is rather quiet at the moment.

Quiet at the moment.

Haven't done much in the garden, but planted some chrysanthemums. Did have plans to go out in the afternoon but it was raining to hard,I see what I can do this afternoon.
I have noticed that I have to still do a bit of cutting back.
The weather at the moment is overcast and windy, makes a change from the hot weather we have had just lately .
I have not seen the fox  for a while, but I do know that it still lives behind the hedge. The birds seem to be about more now it's cooler.
My friends allotment has really done well and still going strong. The pumpkins are doing very well, one is so huge already, that one is going to be the main attraction for Halloween . The runner beans have done well and they tasted very good and that is from someone who does not like runner beans very much. More beetroot, must find that recipe for beetroot and apple crumble.
Still ding the snail and slug dance. The other day quiet early in the morning, I walked upped the road, I noticed the silvery trail snails left. To be honest the trails looked very beautiful in the early sunshine., all twinkley.

Beech tree and oak.

The beech tree near me, which is very huge, had shed some of its nuts, due to the rain and high winds which we had lately, it's a timely reminder that autumn will be with us shortly . A lot of people complain about it , but the way I see it, it is a home for the birds and other creatures that live in it. It's shades the  gardens nearby from the sun. Also it helps with the downpours , stops us flooding. We are on flat ground and people have put in car ports  and doing away with their front gardens and they wonder why the water don't go down quickly, I know they have the storm drains put in, but some of them cannot cope very well. It's like a friends neighbour , they had a oak tree cut down and wondered why their front lawn was flooded and my friend's front lawn was flooded as well, till they where told, that the tree helped with drinking so much water, I think they regret it now having it cut down and it was a haven for the birds etc. moan over.

Weather.

Rain, sunshine, then no rain, then a deluge, then just steady rain, then sunshine blue skies, then an other deluge, at the moment no rain.

Fruit and veg.

Helped a friend with their garden, tidying it up they have got abig garden,front and back.
Picked runner beans and a handful of blackberries. The blackberries were nice and sweet, but there will not be a lot this year as they had been cut down ruthle
ssly, as we all know they can take over.
Talking about fruit, my friend neighbour has got a plum tree, so we looked over the fence and saw loads going to waste. We were going to knock to ask if we could take some, but we had a closer look and saw loads of wasps and most of the fruit was rotten. So we didn't , it is a shame. My friend says they cannot be bothered with the tree.
The other day I saw a flock of parakeets flying home to roost. In was early evening  when I saw them, they rested in a tree in the park and then flew home. In the mornings you see them fly over about 8 , flowing to wherever they go to during the day.
The allotment is really doing well especially the pumpkin, there is one huge one. The sweet corn is growing well, as well as the beetroot. The figs are lovely . Leeks, radishes,  peas are doing well. So all in all everything  is ok.

Summer tidy up.

Got a new pair of secataurs, guess what? Yes found the old ones. Must admit the new ones cuts better, but I still prefer my old ones.
Started the summer tidy up now sorting out the bits and pieces what accumulate with out you knowing. Looking at the plants see if they need any tiding up, but no they seem to be ok.
Heard birdsong this morning for the first time in ages, it is a lot cooler, woke up in the night to heavy rain and it's still raining so don't have to water the garden. Slugs and snails are everywhere, so when I pop out shortly I will be doing the slugs and snails dance.
The sky looks so grey and leaden and you think it is going to be like this all day, but come afternoon it will be blue skies , we will have to wait and see. But it is still warm though.

Ps.

I forget to mention in my earlier post, that I found some lovely garden pots I had forgot about, so I am going to see what plants I can get for them, maybe something evergreen . Also I have misplaced my secataurs, so I am going to get a new pair today, and I bet anything you like I will find them!
And this morning I noticed that my fuschias have come into bloom and they look lovely.
I have got a confession, I was not really keen on fuschias , but I have changed my mind now. So thank you, my fuschias for changing my mind and for the lovely show you are doing at the moment.

I found a path.

Done the front lawn and hedge. It's looking good. When I was clearing up the grass and hedge trimmings, I found a path ,which goes half way round the lawn, the people who lived here before grassed it over, so the next project I am going to do is to clear all round it properly and see what it is like, then decide what to do with it, I will most probably keep it.
The little insects I disturbed while doing the clearing up was amazing. Still got the ant hill and at the moment they are no problem.
At the moment I am reading Gardening in Pyjamas by Helen Yemm , it seems like my sort of book as it's answers some of the questions I'd would like to ask but don't , because a lot of gardeners think you should know the answers, but we must all start from the beginning in a new subject, hobby etc. it is an enjoyable read.

Things going well.

Things have been a bit quiet just lately. But my fuschias and geraniums are doing well. When I went out to water them the other day I noticed that theVirginia Creeper, I planted last year and thought I lost it, has picked up well. I really love it when I do something and it goes well, to be honest I have had more failures, then success  so when things goes right, I am really grateful.
Plenty of butterflies again, I am pleased.
It has been a bit cooler today and breezier, which is a pleasant change after all the hot weather we have been having.
Tomorrow weather permitting, front lawn and hedge to be cut .

A new direction in the garden.

Just had a mild thunderstorm, it is just raining heavily now and I went out early this morning to water the plants!
A red admiral fluttered indoors rested for a few seconds and then fluttered out .
The new plants seemed to taken well, so does this mean I am earning my green fingers badge? My dad bless him was an excellent gardener and my sister is, I know I will never be as good as them, but I will do my best.
I am going to try to grow a few vegetables next year, so I am going to read up about it , get everything ready, but I am going to start small, and maybe some flowers for the wildlife as I had so many butterflies and bees visiting me this year, it's my humble thanks to them.

A ps.

A ps, I am leaving the clump of nettles near the living patio door, as I have had so many butterflies visiting . The nettles are not in the way. I wondered why I saw so many butterflies, then I realised the nettles!

It's quiet.

Went to my local garden centre with my sister, all she did was moan about the prices,I can get this and that cheaper elsewhere she says, I understand that, but she spoilt it by going on and on. But never mind, I got a bargin, they were selling fuschias and geraniums, half price. So I treated myself for some. Planted them out this morning in the cool gave them a good watering, so hopefully they will do well. I got apple blossom geraniums and pink spangles fuschias.
Had a yellow courgette in home made pasta sauce and it was good. The courgette was home grown, also I was given a green courgette, which is more like a marrow, which I am going to cooked stuffed.
Cooked more beetroot, found a recipe for a apple and beetroot crumble, not sure to try it, but it would be a change, you know? I think I will try it over the weekend.
Apart from that it has been so quiet, not even hearing the birds they have been so quiet, where I am there is plenty of trees for shade for them, not even seen the fox.

A interesting day.

Saw a heron standing by the water's edge , as still as can be.
I was given some courgettes today a green one and a yellow one, home grown . Saw fields of barley , wheat and corn today, loads of poppies and wild flowers.
A red admiral came visiting the garden and I also saw some blue butterflies today when I went deep in the countryside .

All well.

We had a couple of thunderstorms, more lighting than thunder though. But it's nice to have the rain , saves watering the garden. But it is still warm and humid.
All in the garden is well, the rose I really pruned hard, gave a beautiful show. The plants I brought from the front garden to the back have not done well, so I will take them out the pots and find something else to plant, I was thinking maybe plant tomatoes or whatever is suitable for containers . I have read quite a bit about vegetable gardening in pots and containers and it's sounds interesting and fun.  That is going to be my new project for the coming months.
The cacti I repotted are really doing well and the new spider plant  I got last weekend is really lovely settled in well.
Haven't seen the young fox, but have heard it so all well there.

No ear twitch.

Had to go by train very early in the morning, so going through the countryside at a different time than normal, saw loads of rabbits going about their business, the train sounded its horn, not one rabbit ran off they all carried on their business. Not even ear twitch.
The butterfly bushes around train stations grow like weeds, but when I tried to grow one in the garden , it died. What went wrong I do not know, but that was a long time ago, I think I will try again.
Seeing dark pink hollyhocks on the road verges on the bypasses and by the side of the motorways. They are growing really well.
I wonder if it has god something to do with the fumes of trains and traffic why the butterfly bushes and hollyhocks are doing well, what is the secret?
The moon was so low and huge last night, it was awe inspiring seeing it, it looked so beautiful.

Wasps.

Rescued a wasp, yes you  read right rescued a wasp. Got up went downstairs and saw a dopey looking wasp on a money box , so I told it that I will let it out, on condition that it will tell its friends that I rescued it and set it free, so to leave us alone. Wether it will work, that's anyone's guess. My thinking is that the ant hill in the front garden has been left alone and I have no ants indoors, like I normally do, so I reckon being kind to a wasp it might be kind to us. Hope so.
The cacti I repotted, is doing well. One of them has got flowers on, I am so pleased, it would of been a shame to loose them.
Now I have to sort my spider plants out I have got quite a few  babies to pot.
It is very windy today again, but warm ,nice.

Grey & green.

At the moment it is grey, rainy and windy. But it seems to suit the plants what I brought from the front garden to the back garden, they are perking up now, they are in pots .
The cacti I potted up are doing well. Maybe I am beginning to get green fingers on a small scale.
The only real problem I have got are flies, I do not know why they seem to love my house, maybe I should call it the fly hotel!

Memories & my fox

The weather is so nice at the moment, so been making the most of it. I was reminded of the summers when I was younger playing in the garden and all the lovely flowers in my dad's garden. The pinks which are my most favourite flowers their beautiful scent always remind me of my dad, the orange, yellow, pink roses and not forgetting the red rose which had a beautiful scent and such a dark red just like velvet. The lavender bushes, honeysuckle, peonies . But the star of the garden was the huge Christmas tree. Every Christmas people would knock on the door asking if we would sell it, every year the answer would be no. I must not forget the hawthorn hedge love that scent as well.
At right of the back my dad had a small allotment where he grew potatoes, cabbages ,beans lettuce carrots and other veg. I remember my dad asking me to cut a cabbage for dinner, so I did and my dad said that I chose well. I felt 10 feet tall, as my dad rarely gave praise.
And the young fox does live in my garden behind the hedge where it's sheltered .some times in the very early in the morning it's on the lawn sitting there looking around, it is so beautiful, not sure what sex it is at the moment. Even the cats are use to it.
I call it my fox as it chose to live with me, but I do understand that it is a wild animal. And I respect that.

Black & orange.

Saw some black welsh mountain sheep today in the fields. Which was nice.
And yes I was right the orange dandelions are orange dandelions, just wanted to make sure.

Fox and orange dandelions.

The young fox was eating in the garden and my cats left it alone it is really is no bother. I am glad it feels comfortable with us.
While on the train I happen to look out of the window and saw a load of rabbits running why they were running for I do not know, something must of scared them badly.
The wild flowers in my friends garden look like orange dandelions so I will be looking up them.
And before I forget, I do not feed the fox, as much as I love it, I do not want it to become dependant on me for food, if we have a very bad winter fair enough, but round our way we have quite a lot a rats sorry to say.

The river.

The river near where I work, is in a bit of a sorry state. There is so much weed in it now it looks like it's choking. But worse of all is the rubbish thrown in by people, it is sad as it is a nice river, situated in a nice place. Hopefully something is done soon to clear it out.
The white and pink rose bushes which surrounds it are really beautiful, a very good show. Also the butterfly bushes have done well.
I notice also that there will be a good crop of blackberries there and same goes to the apple tree there as well
The amount of butterflies that was flying about there was a joy to see and all the insects,bees.
So that river and the grounds are a haven for the wild life, just wish it was looked after a bit better, like all things it might come down to money. I must see if I can find more information about it.

Butterflies & fox.

Saw a red admiral butterfly in the garden today long time since I have seen one. When I was a child, my dad had a lovely garden and he had loads of plants and flowers so that the butterflies and bees would visit, my dad was very much for nature bless him.
I think the fox cub I saw a little while back has made its home in my garden, that is no problem to me or my cats they have accepted it, bless them as well.
At the moment it has come all over dark, grey & miserable. It has been trying to rain , but it is still warm.

A visitor, a most welcome one.

A bee decides to fly indoors and after a while it decides to land on my knee and it was there for quite some time. Then it ups and buzzes off  straight out the kitchen door. It was nice that the bee trusted me to do that.
A moorhen had made a nest right in the middle of the local pond and all the other water fowl swims pass gently or go an other way.
The ants nest I disturbed the other day has gone back to normal. I have had no problems with ants indoors, do you think as I am leaving them alone, they are leaving me alone?

Back lawn looks nice.

Back garden looks a treat now. The trees and hedges are all clipped back. The lawn looks nice now. But the down side is I need a new mower, my one is on it's last blades, might not be able to use it next time, as it doesn't sound to good. And I need to to the front lawn, so that has to be strimmed .
Son done it while I was out , thank you son , you done a very good job.

Snails & rats.

When closing the back door last night, there were a couple of snails on the back step and one of them had a funny shaped shell, but it seemed happy enough.
My sister said that she had a black cap in her garden and it was feeding it's chicks. She lives near the woods and she said that she gets all sorts of birds in her garden. She had jays, woodpeckers, wrens. .
But at the moment she is having problems with rats, not a big problem at the moment, she keeping an eye on it, so are her cats.

Nothing doing much again!

Just sitting down looking outside, I can see a dandelion clock, when I was younger I thought they were fairies. Not much doing in the garden apart from rain. Grass is getting long again, but I don't mind. I have seen other gardens with long grass , with this rain there is not a lot you can do.
But mind you there are lots of insects about ,got only bitten once so far which is good for me.

Nothing doing much.

My friend showed me their lawn as it is covered in red and yellow little flowers, they called them weeds , but I call them wild flowers.
It has been a bit to hot to do anything in the garden, I would like to start at the crack of dawn, but I would not be very popular with the neighbours .
It's has been very quiet with the wildlife around here, nothing doing much, not unless you count the flies!
The cacti I moved upstairs have done so well, 2 of them have got white flowers and really bloomed very well, the pink one has done well but is a bit slower.

Moths ants and I done the lawn.

Just finished cutting the lawn just before it rains! Yes! Saw a most beautiful moth while I was cutting the lawn , it was red and black at first I thought it was a butterfly , or maybe a beetle, but having a closer look it was a moth.
Also I found an ant hill , didn't realise it was there at first, then all of a sudden I saw ants upon ants scurrying around. They are welcomed to stay .
Plus also I forgot to put the hedge trimmer on charge so that is a job  for tomorrow.
Yesterday we were out with friends and it was a beautiful day, sun shining, beautiful blue sky ,no clouds and the different shades of green and my friend said that the countryside has never looked so beautiful.
Ps raven the cat said hello and that he helped in the garden to, he was the supervisor, and I could do better!

Ruthless.

Nothing has been happening much in the garden, due to all the rain. But the grass is long, but I have been unable to try my new grass strimmer. Mind you I have noticed that quite a few gardens have got long grass.
Doing the snails and slugs dance again, where they all come from I do not know. My sister h the same problems. But I do not do what a lot of  people  do and throw snails over their walls ,hedges into their neighbours gardens. I know to a lot of people they are right proper pains, hit I just cannot do it to them.
The honeysuckle has done well again, but I am going to be ruthless and prune it when the time comes as it really needs a prune.
The elderberry is in flower, but not so many flowers this time. Mind you it can be dugged up, to be honest I am going to get rid of everything in the garden and start all over again. Apart from the apple tree.

Slugs,snails& worms

I am to blame for all this rain! I only want to try out my new strimmer, the days which we didn't have rain , I had to do something else. But still that is the weather for you.
The garden doesn't look to bad at the moment, so I am not worrying to much. The only problem it brings out the slugs and snails out, so when you go up the garden path you have to do the slugs and snails dance. I must admit I am not very keen on them but I would not hurt them, I don't even put slug pellets. And I am not to keen on worms, but they are welcomed in my garden. One day I will get over the phobia of slugs, snails and worms, I am not as bad as I used to be.

Gardens allotments and foxes.

Been busy helping  a friend with their garden. They have made a little allotment right down the bottom of their garden.they have got potatoes, runner and broad beans, peas strawberries, figs, grapes, spring onions, leeks pumpkins, radishes, growing. Their plum tree looks like it will have plenty of plums this year and the apple tree.
My garden looks sorry for itself, but I have started to sort it, it will take time, hopefully it will be good weather this weekend so I can get out there and do more.
The other morning a fox and her cub paid me a visits and very lovely too. I am sure I said this before and I will say again I love foxes. They do me no harm and I will do them no harm.

Flower buds

I have just watered my Christmas cacti and Easter cacti and found some flower buds on the Easter ones, one I thought I would not see flowers on as it is so old and I have never seen flowers on it at all. Glad I am doing something right. I have not got green fingers, but do my best.
Need to get the garden sorted keep saying that, but it is not happening at the moment, I have to make it happen think small and start!

Happy days.

Watching Canadian geese land on water they are so graceful. Mind you so are most waterfowl when they land.
The foxes are around they attacked my re -cycling boxes. They did not find anything as it was all washed up. Wish they would tidy up after themselves!
The other day I saw a couple of orange tipped butterflies. They too are so graceful when they fly.

Been a bit busy.

Been helping cutting down a conifer hedge over the weekend, laying turf and planting honeysuckles, not in my garden  but someone's else's.
The blossom is still out . It's still on the chilly side but the sun is out and the sky is blue.
The blackbirds what are in my hedge are still there,they are busy at the moment. My cats seem to have left them alone and not bothered them.
But I do have problems with un neutered toms . I have 2 females cats and 1 tom, which have been neutered. As soon as they was old enough I had them done. But why don't people have their cats done? I know a couple of people said the cats should have their little pleasures! Well um.
I know it is none of my business.
I have not seen any foxes lately round here, usually we have a couple, but haven't seen them or heard them for a while.

Herring gulls.

When at the coast the other day, there was to herring gulls having a discussion, it was quite sweet to see them having a discussion it looked liked a friendly one. They got what I would call a deep throaty laugh. I know that they can be pain, but I think they are lovely birds, well the ones i saw.
The blossom is out big time now. Love it this time of year, I am a spring and autumn person then winter and last of all summer.

Better weather.

Spent the day down the coast. Had a really good time. They are getting everything ready for the summer season. It was a lovely sunny but chilly day. Took some photos, now have to download them. Have to find the lead,then I can download them.
The honeysuckle is really doing well, the tulips are nearly out, the grass needs cutting but till the tulips are over and done with, I won't cut the grass as the tulips are all over the lawn.
The weather is really nice now. Blue skies sun out, not to hot or cold, for me bliss.

Should or shouldn't.

Saw a fox walking in the park in daylight and it looked very healthy.
The daffodils are out in bloom big time now. All along the grass verges they are blooming. On my Facebook page someone asked,should you pick them or leave them where they are. I would say leave them where they are for all to enjoy. What do you think?

Quiet time.

The river near where I work had a mattress thrown in over the weekend. But but by thursday it was taken out. Glad it was done so quick.
It has been cold but sunny. Went for a walk and it was nice even though the wind was very cold. A few spots of rain was felt.
The local park is still recovering slowly after all the rain, there are still a few muddy puddles. The waterfowl seem to be very happy.
It has been very quiet nature wise, but behind the scenes I am sure it is very busy.

The firsts of the year.

My friend the other night saw a barn owl fly pass her. Which is very rare for where we live. I have seen bats though.
Saw my first ladybird of the year today and while I was walking home, saw an other one.
Then I walked up the garden path and saw 2 tortoiseshell butterflies, my first for this year, they settled on the fir tree in the front garden. So glad that some of the garden is left in a natural state, so the wild life can enjoy it.
The beautiful pink and white blossom is out and it's looks so beautiful against the blue spring sky. And it's gently swaying in the breeze.
By the looks of things the honeysuckle is going to have a bumper year I hope so. And the blackbirds are fine. Still keeping an eye on them.

Promising day.

After a misty morning it looks like a promising day, the sun is out and the sky is a lovely shade of blue. It is chilly, but nice chilly.
When putting out the rubbish, I noticed that my tulips are bringing to poke through. They usually give a nice show. They are a deep red colour along side the daffodils I must admit they look good. The forsythia is coming on slowly. I have to check if I can see the primroses.
But I must go into the garden and sort it out. I have be lagging in that department. Then it will be a trip to the local garden centre. Which will be lovely.

Better weather.

A bumble bee, was buzzing along in the warm sunshine. It was so nice to be able to go out ,without having to bundle up in coats , hats etc. it has got colder , but no rain!
The ground and fields are slowly getting back to normal, after all this rain. One good thing about this bad weather we had ,is that the river near where I work was cleaned out, there was so much rubbish in it, if it had not been cleaned out, there would of have been a flood. So it really nice to see it without any rubbish in it, but how long will it last without rubbish being thrown in?

Has spring arrived?

The forsythia is coming into bud. It's not one of my favourites, but it is growing on me, excuse the pun. The daffodils have put on a good show. The tulips have not come through yet, they usually  come through after the daffodils. Coming home I saw a bank full of miniature daffodils, swaying in the breeze.
Had the back door open for a while so the warmth of outside came in and it gave it's scent to waft over the house. Spring like autumn has it's own unique scent which I love.
The birds have been and still are very busy. The blackbirds who have nested in the garden are still there, they seem to be happy.
Later on this month the clocks will be going forward so we will have longer daylight, that will be nice. And it's nice to have longer daylight hours at this very moment.
Yesterday while I was putting the recycling out I heard the dawn chorus, I stopped what I was doing and listened to it and it was a beautiful sound.

Conversation with a squirrel.

By the looks of things blackbirds have made a nest in my hedge. I won't look, but will keep an eye on them.
Had a conversation with a squirrel, walk past him or her and they decided to have a chat with me. I think he was saying the weather has changed for the better and it was nice to see the sun and to feel the sun's warmth after all that rain. Good day to you, can't stay here chattering all day got things to do like finding lunch!

My big mouth!

Me and my big mouth, saying that we will get frost! We got rain instead!
The weathermen has promised us snow, but where I am it usually turns into rain, my honeysuckle is a mass of green  leaves and that is unusual for it as it normally starts April time.
In the future I will be doing traveling more so I will be writing about that as well. It is a part of the country I am not familiar with so it will be interesting journey.

Sparkling.

Saw a bank covered in daffodils . The sun was glinting on the heavy dew making the dew really sparkle. It is a cold night and the stars are really twinkling so we might be in for a frost. The night sky is bright and clear. Also saw some primroses out on the same bank.

Squirrels races.

Watching 4 squirrels playing it looked liked that they was playing chase, or tag. Then they decided to have a race on the road, don't worry it was a very quiet road. The first 2 squirrels were really racing against each other. The 3rd squirrel kept on stopping and turning around for the 4th squirrel. And they all got to the winning tree, I was going to say the winning tape, but it didn't sound right. Then they all shot up the tree. It was fun watching them.
The fields are still slowly recovering from the recent rains and I notice that there was a lot of water fowl. In one field there was a stork standing at the waters edge, so still, you would of thought it was a statute , but you could see a slight rifle in the feathers as the wind blew.
Also there was a lot of seagulls in the makeshift ponds. Some of the trees are still under the water. And in the drier areas the rabbits and hares were about going about their daily business. This was all seen on the train coming home.

Hopefully better weather is coming.

Went to my local shops today and saw my first snowdrops. In fact saw quite a lot of spring flowers. So even though we had all that rain, the spring flowers are battling through. As I went up to the shops it was the refreshing rain and it was  nice to have a walk in it and not to get soaked.
The fields near me are slowly recovering,but the fields are so muddy, hopefully they will recover soon.

Dry mornings.

Woke up to an other dry morning, that is 2 dry mornings in a row. Admittedly it has rain during the day, but it was normal rain.
The blue hyacinths are nearly over now, but the scent is still lingering , the pink hyacinths are taking time to come through, but the wait will be worth it.
The Christmas cactus has got flower buds on again, from a plant that would not flower to one that does is really lovely. If you have house plants which do not flower try moving them . The cacti have gone into the bedroom which is at the front of the house and picked up so well, from being at the back of the house. The hyacinths are at the back of the house and are doing well.
My brave daffodil is now being join some more daffodils. It will be interesting to see what will happen to the tulips, no sign of them at the moment. The violas are doing well.

Flowers brave the rain.

When I put the rubbish out I saw one brave daffodil standing just like a solider on parade.

My friend's lawn is covered with purple crocuses. You would think that with all this rain that they would stay hidden for a while. 

We went for a walk in the park and saw yellow crocuses coming through. The river which runs through it has not quite burst it banks but very nearly.

At this moment of time the sun is a pale yellow and there is blue sky and white clouds not grey clouds. Wouldn't it be lovely if this would stay like this for a long while.

Busy birds.

When I was out the other day I notice that the birds were busy gathering material for their nests. Saw magpies ,crows , pied wagtails, sparrows. And when I walked past a bush a chaffinch flew down to say hello.
My little violas are still pushing through bravely , they are so beautiful.

A unhappy bunny.

Not a lot happening apart from rain. Yesterday was not to bad at first then the rain came again. This morning is an other grey day.
I didn't really believe that MP who said that money sent abroad will help the people here with the flooding, sorry but that is claptrap. If he was flooded , he would be the first one to complain about not receiving help. How insulting is that. As I said in my earlier post, where I work the road is flooded and still is, but we are fortunate as we are quite a bit above the road, but it's still mean we have to walk in the water to get to our place of work. So the people who are flooded I do hope that they get all the help they need.

Hope.

After a nice couple of days ,the rain came back and the river near me burst it's bank. So the road is flooded.
Where I work is high above the road which runs straight the building, which is fortunate, as that road got flooded. So when we left we had to wade through quite a bit of water.
But on a more positive note the afternoons are getting lighter. Also when I came past my front gate I noticed that the violas are beginning to poke their heads through.
At the moment the sky is a clear blue .

At the moment no rain.

Woke up to a blue and pink sky this morning. I so want to go out and start sorting the garden out, but the ground is so soggy.
My brave honeysuckle despite all this rain is still sprouting leaves. This is most unusual as it is a late flowering one. I guess it enjoys the rain.

Trying not to mind the rain,

As the title of this blog says I am trying hard not to mind the rain. Where I live it has not been tobaddin the  past, but I have notice that the puddles are now getting bigger, hopefully we won't have to much problems, but we have to wait and see.
While waiting for a train , I saw a pied wagtail running up and down the platform as if he owned it. They are such cheeky little souls. My journey went through a grey,brown and dark green scenery. Sorry to be gloomy.

Better weather for now.

The birds are now singing their hearts out, heard a robin, blackbird and a thrush. The foxes are back again, I have no problem with them they sometimes come into the garden and sunbathe when the sun comes out.
One side of the high street had rain and the other side sun but no rain. It's been really cold but bright for most of the day, but only a bit of rain in the late afternoon.

Hopes for a better week.

A skein of geese flew over, it's so lovely to see them fly over. When on one of my usual train journey and s that the fields that was ok  last week , was flooded this week and very bad at that. Will this rain ever stop? We are promised a day or two of good weather. Let's hope so. Our town pond is still holding its own at the moment. But the birds seem to be ok flying to and fro. And hopefully the wild animals are ok, as well.

The pond.

2 swans a flock of seagulls , some moorhens, ducks and a single Canadian goose, all swimming in the pond. Swans are so graceful when they swim. The pond so far has held it's own at the moment. It has not burst it's bank yet. Hope that doesn't happen. It is a drizzly day today, but the birds are out and about, they have been quiet lately. Even the pigeons haven't been around. I wonder if the birds get fed up with this rain? The ducks seem to like it.

weather again.

the weather is still not to bad in my neck of the woods.i feel for anyone who are having problems.hopefully everything sorts it self out very soo

very quiet.

woke up to a quiet morning . no wind . a bit of blue sky and the sun is out, so hopefully it will stay like that for today at least. the ground is so soggy ,there are so many puddles, some are quite deep. its fun watching the children jump in the puddles!the birds have been so quiet its not nice not hearing them, didn't hear the dawn chorus and i was up before dawn and had the back door open. it is like a lull after the storm.

Not good weather.

Not a very good day today .just rain and wind again. It could be a lot worse. A friend phoned up and said that the front where they work is flooded. I do hope that everyone is safe.

more rain

the start of the new year is rain and more rain. woke up to a grey dismal day and rain. my local high street started to flood the other day,but when  i went down yesterday it receded ,it does flood quite badly. the local pond is brimming to nearly over flowing. we have got visitors on the pond ,seagulls . the pond id divided into two , there is abridge which goes over the pond and there is a little waterfall as well. the seagulls seem to prefer the side near the road, and the otherwater fowl prefer the side which is quieter.