My Garden 2018

I have finally got to posting some photos of my garden this year. Chosen just a few to give some idea of how the year has progressed

Things start to perk up when the Crab Apple blossom starts to open up

and without wishing my life away my thoughts turn to welcoming the Summer roses and more

!

We have over the last two years removed 15 shrubs from the garden in order to make it more manageable as we get older.

Less shrubs for me to prune, but more lawn for Alan to mow. I think I got the best deal!

We got there in the end

Wasn't sure if I would like the open spaces but now that I have got used to them I do

Some December Musings

So thankful that the snow has cleared. Going to be dull and damp through Christmas but at least travelling will not be a problem like it is when it is snowing.

Some people wonder why everything comes to a standstill when it snows in this country - we don't have it often enough (well here in the South anyhow) for it to be viable to have lots of snow ploughs and equipment. 

I was surprised to find that I had peeled a twin banana last week

very unusual

I thought I was all ready to serve dinner to friends recently

when I realised the chicken breasts where still in the fridge!

I usually prepare them just before cooking but this time prepared them earlier and put them in the fridge

I hate to keep guests waiting but that's how it turned out! 

Such different December sunsets on two consecutive evenings. 

Had to share this! My daughter walked 62 plus miles over 2 days this Autumn along one of England's 

Ridgeways. A Ridgeway being an ancient trackway described as one of Britain's oldest roads. The term originated in Anglo-Saxon times 410 to 1066 and they run along high ridges of hills.

It was well organised. The group stayed and ate together in a hotel the night before and camped over the middle night.

Seen here with our grand children Oliver and Rebekah at the finish.

Well done Jane  

A few Saturday's ago my neighbour held a charity cake sale.

All of these cakes were made by her Sister-in-law and they were delicious.

Yes I bought enough to freeze as well as eat that weekend!

Well I am sure I have gone on long enough so I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and a Blessed year to come. 

October in the Garden Amongst Other Things

We have just had our house painted grey.

I have had grey on my mind for a long time and it had finally got to the point where we could leave it no longer as the old paint was peeling off in places.

Then suddenly everywhere we look houses are being painted grey. 

It seems grey is a current popular colour not only for the outside of houses but also inside walls and furnishing.

The old garage door is soon to be completely renovated. We are having the wall bricked up and putting a window in and eventually a wooden floor. It's never been used as a garage but a very handy store room and part office.

So as we already have an integral door into the hall this change will make a big difference.

So, garden news - sadly we are in the process of destroying all of my Box shrubs that I have in pots.

They are suffering from Box Blight that is rife in the country.

I have nurtured them as topiary fro a very long time.

So empty pots abound. I am planning to plant four patio shrub roses in the four largest pots and have been re-potting my herbs into the smaller ones. It does not feel quite as bad if I can make good use of the pots.

The dreaded Box Blight

We are progressing with the removal of shrubs down the left hand side and hopefully it will not be too long before the area is turfed.

I'm looking forward to a lot less work next year.

I need to sort this before I hit 80!

On a lighter note a little colour from today's garden

Life has been hectic with indoor bathroom renovations, outside painting and re-planning the garden on top of general living but I do want to visit my blogging buddies to see what everyone has been up to recently.

First Day of September in the Garden

Took these rose photographs a week ago and after nearly 4 months of constant dead heading I slipped into my usual late August boredom with the garden. 

We still have a lot to do in the shrub clearing before the winter

It's also Lavender harvesting time

I have 16 shrubs but this is the one I find the most aromatic for Lavender bags for my wardrobes

The fish are still very active

and there are still plenty of roses to bring indoors in spite of the fact that they make my eyes water and throat croaky!

Midnight last night I was taken with the delicateness of these in the kitchen before bed

and lastly I hardly ever miss taking a picture of beautiful sunsets