Subtle?
Early autumn is subtle. Tiny changes - the mood of the garden, the angle of the sun, the yellowing of the first leaves. I wonder if I'm imagining things. But no - the shrubs and trees do look different. More reflective? Well, perhaps my mood is. Don't think a shrub can be reflective...
Actually, the trees just look huge and the shrubs look scruffy. There's still a lot of flower colour from the autumn perennials, and of course some lovely greens to enjoy. But are there too many large Phormiums? The dogs and I, closely followed by the two Freds (catlets, having just had 'that' procedure at the vet), have been walking up and down the water race. I've recently cleaned up a lot of bulky ferns, so I guess there's less visual competition. What do you reckon, dogs? No, I don't want to find a stick and/or throw the ball. I need to think this through carefully. Some of these flaxes are massive. Too many are too big?
Too Many Big Phormiums?
Our autumn garden walks are dangerous for the twittering fantails, who join us, fluttering alongside - people and dogs stir up insects, which fantails eat on the wing, so to speak. Eek! So my two cat gymnasts leap and somersault high into the air, paws and claws flung out this way and that. Too scary. The dogs and I often sneak out of the house, but the Freds don't like being left behind, and run after us, crying loudly. My lovely, sensitive dogs go back to lick them better. And off we go again, reunited. Fantails beware...
Autumn Gardening Shoes
Footwear...
I have new outdoors autumn footwear. I have 'scored' a pair of red rubber ankle boots, lightweight and waterproof, for just three dollars, hee hee. Indoors I now wear my Ugh Boots, where 'ugh' rhymes with 'snug', hee hee. PS I am NOT allowed to wear them outside, even on the driveway.
So now it's time to do some good autumnal gardening. The dogs are bored, and the day sweeps on - it's nearly lunchtime. Oops. Change into my red outdoor shoes first.
Much Later...
Aha! Action woman has just dug out the gruntiest, over-sized Phormium. It was originally striped, but all the leaves had reverted to the species. I've also removed more clumpy ferns, and an Iceberg rose (now in a bucket of water). Four hour's work (Phormiums are tough customers) swinging the shovel, and all the mess is dumped underneath the Leyland shelter hedge. And so another autumn day slithers by, the fire ban still in place, as I create another burning pile. Aargh!
Friday 29th March
Oh boy. I've worked hard all morning, firstly rebuilding a little stone wall by Willow Bridge, then trimming more ferns from the side of the water race. The water level was right down, so access was easy. But I got so muddy (clothes, hair) that I had to shower, wash hair, and change into apres gardening clothes rather early. Then a spot of late lunch and Youtube train travel in Greece, with Black Fred on my lap - I love the rocky mountain-hills, and the shrubby vegetation. Oh joy! I fell asleep in the chair, just as I would if I was sitting on a real train. So it could be argued that my experience is completely authentic...
Pebbles Waiting
Well, it's only mid-afternoon, but I am far too clean to go back outside and pick up the mess (that's my excuse, hee hee). The dogs and I have sneaked out twice to walk around the orchard, and I've got the watering hose on the Allotment Garden. Am now wondering whether a strong coffee might be the answer. How will I stay awake to board my evening train from Bar to Belgrade? Hee hee...