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
Environment
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
Cutting The Mixed Hedging
There are three 'Priory Big Jobs' punctuating the summer: the cutting of the mixed hedging, the cutting of the beech hedging and the cutting of the meadow. Last week, I set aside two days to tackle the first of these. The Priory drive is a third of a mile long and lined on either side, … Continue reading Cutting The Mixed Hedging
Antwerp Zoo
On a recent visit to Antwerp, we managed to drain our glasses, rise from the comfort of a café and go to the zoo. I always like to visit a zoo on a city-break. An art gallery or two, a cathedral or castle, a museum, a botanical garden and a zoo. It is what I … Continue reading Antwerp Zoo
Let’s Build A Compost Bin!
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the compost bins at the Priory (see "Composting the Priory") and was inundated with one request for more information on how I built them. So, for what my carpentry skills might be worth, here we go. A couple of years ago, I picked up a copy of … Continue reading Let’s Build A Compost Bin!
Composting the Priory
I like making compost bins. I can't seem to stop. Stick me in a garden and before you can say, "Sticky Toffee Pudding," I'll have knocked up a range of 'bins. Whether you want me to or not - I just keep on building them: whether at the other garden I tend; in my … Continue reading Composting the Priory
The Anxious Gardener 