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
Nature
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
Autumn Snapshots
Here's a few photos taken over the past week or two. A forbidding portal to another, darker place? Nah, just the Priory Drive descending through the wood ... ... and down into a valley of mist and frost. Overlooking neighbouring fields. The tulip tree (right) and beech hedging on the autumnal turn. The tulip tree … Continue reading Autumn Snapshots
Wild Places, Wild Flowers – Summer
The most noticeable scent in the Priory gardens at the moment is not the roses; neither is it lilies; nor the strong wafts from summer flowering honeysuckle. No - the pervasive nose-tease is this: Measdowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).* Because I'm leaving more and more of the garden margins unstrimmed, the number of wild flowers is increasing … Continue reading Wild Places, Wild Flowers – Summer
Bird Feeder
I am a self-employed gardener and that suits me just fine. But it does mean that I don't get certain benefits. No work pension. No sick pay. No holiday pay. No pay if I just feel like lying in bed, eating lemon bon-bons. And no work-chums. But hey, you weigh things up and you make … Continue reading Bird Feeder
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
Priory Picture Post # 21
Having depressed you with a tale of duck desperation, duck derring-do, duck despair and duck death (see last post), I thought it would be fun to carry on in a similar vein. Who needs good times and chuckles, anyhow? A couple of weeks ago, Jim called me into the garden to look at a large … Continue reading Priory Picture Post # 21
The Anxious Gardener 