Good morning, Garden...
Good morning, my dear Garden. My lovely Late Autumn Garden, still looking quite colourful, with very beautiful evergreens, and some random roses still flowering.
Lady of Megginch Roses
My apologies. You won't see me at all today (and nor will my dogs). I leave home in ten minutes, then I drive from one thing to another, finishing with my other choir much later tonight. I will not be home until 9:30pm. But do not fret - tomorrow is another day, with space for at least four hours of gardening.
Friday 23rd May
Had breakfast with Speckles the stray on the cottage verandah. We were getting on so well. He was smooching and bunting me, walking over my lap, gurgling (his version of purring) as I stroked the top of his head.
Speckles Drinking His Milk
Then I made a mistake, and moved my arm a little too quickly. Aaargh! He hissed, swiped me with his paw and bit me on the elbow. Fifteen minutes of feral friendship spoilt by three seconds of nasty stuff. He certainly isn't afraid to take me on in a fight. Hey! I'm heaps bigger!
This morning I go to chamber music - just duets with my flute player. We will play some Handel and might (just might) look at George Hue's Fantasia. When I get home I will bag some more leaves, spread some more manure, and trim some more dahlias.
Late afternoon...
Did all three tasks. Meanwhile Non-Gardening Partner tightened my secateurs properly and finished off cleaning the garage gutters. Then we team-lifted the big irrigation pump from the pond into the wheelbarrow. Oh dear. This is very much an indication of winter.
David Thompson Roses
Saturday 25th May
Today NGP went flying, while I worked for three and a half hours trimming dahlias in the Hump Garden. Instant decision : hard-pruned the rugosa rose David Thomson, dug him out, and potted him up.
He's been totally blocking the main path, and I've been ducking and diving for months now, trying to slither past without getting scratched (David is extremely thorny). If for any reason he doesn't like what's happened I can buy a replacement from the nursery.
Closer to mid-winter...
Again by 3:45 the sun was heading down behind the trees and it was cooling off. Time to come inside. Oh my goodness. It's edging closer to mid-winter. Am so lucky to have a log-burner. An so lucky to be able to garden in winter. Must remember that.