In the south-eastern corner of the Priory grounds, something's been going on. Slowly, during the past few weeks, we've been growing a new cedarwood greenhouse. Buying a greenhouse during the December sales secured us a 20% discount. But buying a greenhouse during the December sales meant having to build the thing during the balmy months … Continue reading The New Greenhouse
English Country Garden
Birdwatching
I don't get a great variety of birds in my garden. Plenty of herring gulls, and a family of charismatic crows. Hardly exciting stuff, though we do get ... ... green woodpeckers too. They are regular visitors, feeding mostly on the ants that live in our dry, chalky soil. But in comparison to the Priory, … Continue reading Birdwatching
Keeping Busy, Keeping Warm
The grounds of the Priory can be a scary place when the wind gets up. Even the largest trees twist and sway alarmingly; creaking, groaning and occasionally hurling down dead branches. Generally, I think of trees as benign stalwarts but in high winds, I keep a wary eye on them and avoid walking beneath those … Continue reading Keeping Busy, Keeping Warm
Goldcrest
I was working on the rose tunnel the other day and suddenly became aware of a constant, small companion. It was a Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Europe's smallest bird (along with the similar Firecrest). I've only ever caught a glimpse of one at the Priory before, as it darted into some conifers - their preferred hunting … Continue reading Goldcrest
A Walk Up The Priory Drive
Fancy a summer's walk? No? Oh well, suit yourself. Yes? Good for you. Here's a series of photos I took last August, on a rare sunny morning. Starting at the car park entrance, I took a shot every ten paces as I walked up to the iron gate at the top of the drive. Beyond … Continue reading A Walk Up The Priory Drive
December …
has been either rain-sodden or bitterly cold down at the Priory. I much prefer the latter. The west pond has been frozen but Solo ... ... no longer ventures out onto it. A couple of years ago (when this photo was taken) she ran across the ice (chasing a snowball), broke through and had to … Continue reading December …
Cutting the Flower Meadow
Have you noticed how ubiquitous 'Wild Flower Meadows' have become? Whether it is a small garden bed, raked over and sown with a wild flower seed mix, or an acre or more of unimproved grassland, summer meadows shimmering with native flowers and buzzing with insects are now widespread; de rigueur even. And quite right too. … Continue reading Cutting the Flower Meadow
The Anxious Gardener 