Starting with Bits & Pieces

I have not posted much at all recently and I am endeavouring to rectify that.

Maybe I just needed a break but I also know that Facebook does not help, especially as a number of my followers are on Facebook and it is so much quicker but certainly not as satisfying.

I guess with the changes that have happened around me and some health issues (sciatica/back/hip) I have not felt motivated.

Part of the lack of motivation is that I have still not been able to find a way to get windows 10 to file my photos so that I can find them easily.

I thought I would begin with a few bits and pieces to get in the swing again.

Over the Summer Pilgrims Hall has had a face lift both outside and in many rooms inside

My Grandchildren have been quite active during their holiday in Mauritius. They both enjoy some junior golf.

They also like cycling and walking trails, and Rebekah just loves  Gymnastics, while Oliver is very keen on cricket.

One thing I have done over the summer is 'down size' the garden. Have been removing some shrubs for a while and laying down  more turf to make the garden more manageable.

In the above picture I have removed 9 shrubs from this area (with the help of Alan and my son digging out the roots) and made a small bed and planted 5 Spirea which will be MUCH less work. A friend had just been laying a lot of turf in their garden and we have been able to use here all the bits that were left. Soon it should have blended in well. 

I had decided that was it and then a few days ago when beginning to trim the Ivy wall for the third time this year I decided that needed to go too!

The roots were unbelievable and are still not completely out (if they will ever be)

I covered this fence quite some time ago as it was so unsightly. It belongs to my neighbour on that side and was not ours to remove. My neighbour is nearly 97 and her late husband had tried to cover it up on his side with hardboard and a trellis. 

This has meant that the ivy has lodged itself between fence, board and trellis. I have spent a lot of time trying to keep it clear on her side but with our climate this year it has gone rampant.

We are looking into the best way of dealing with it now that Alan has cleared so much from her garden.

Well I think these are enough bits and pieces for now until I have done some blog visiting.

Myddleton House Gardens, Essex

Coffee time

Made a short trip out to Myddleton Gardens a couple of weeks ago. Did not want to go far as I am still waiting to have an M.R.I. scan on my lower back and hip. Sitting in the car and walking are painful right now so we have not been able to make the many trips out that we usually do in the Summer.

The Gardens at Myddleton House tell a compelling story about one of Britain’s most famous self-taught gardeners, artists and expert botanists - Edward Augustus Bowles.

He lived in Myddelton House from 1865 to 1954 and dedicated much of his life to transforming the Gardens with his love of unusual and exotic plants.
In 2009, the Gardens were awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, enabling a two year project to restore several areas of the Gardens to their former glory, in particular the Kitchen Garden.
To date, the Victorian Potting Shed, Bowles’ original cold frames and the Peach House have been restored. (Above note taken from website) 

What surprised me was just how dried out the plants were and the burned dry grass.

After a VERY wet Spring we have had a dry and at times hot Summer but I was not expecting this. Of course the number of trees would not have helped.

Of course the Cacti and Succulents were happy

The area around the Carp pond was more luscious 

Here we see the dreaded Japanese Knotweed that is taking over on parts of our rivers and canals. It grows and takes over so fast that it can be difficult to sell a house if it has taken up residence in the garden.

It is well contained here and the idea of growing it is to educate people in recognising it and showing how vigorous it is.

Had a sandwich lunch in the tearoom and are now ready for home