The gardens are generally looking fine. Though frankly if they didn't during June, I might as well give up and get a proper job. But the Kidney Beds are in dire need of a major revamp. They were cobbled together five years ago with a few sitting tenants, some plants from my garden, gifts from … Continue reading Beauty And A Beast
Nature
Jenny Wren And The White Hart*
Water quality in the east pond has recovered. Heavy winter rain has flushed out any remaining sewage, bleach and bath-suds. (A cowboy plumber, working in 2008, patched the soil pipe from the main bathroom into the drains carrying rainwater to the pond, see - 'A Mild Sense Of Panic'). In my first two years at … Continue reading Jenny Wren And The White Hart*
One Day In May
Yesterday was a special day. A five-minute walk away at Margaret's farm, the cows were being let out to summer pasture. I've written about this annual event in the Priory calendar before (see 'A Stampede of Cows'). So, here's just a handful of photos of a spectacle I always enjoy. After several months indoors, the … Continue reading One Day In May
Canada Geese
Canada geese are a rare and shy visitor to the Priory. But this year a pair have arrived who don't fly off, honking, when I appear. Introduced from North America and considered a pest by many, I certainly wouldn't want large numbers of them arriving - and the droppings they would produce. These two alone … Continue reading Canada Geese
Walking Across England
I've recently returned from a fifteen-day walk across Northern England. I started at Ulverston, Cumbria and finished at Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Northumberland. My route comprised the Cumbria Way, the central (and best) bit of the Hadrian's Wall Path and the St Oswald's Way. Here's a photo-blog of what I saw. oooOOOooo As you may know, one of … Continue reading Walking Across England
Butterfly Conservation Membership Offer
When I took the job as gardener at the Priory one of my primary aims was to help sustain the rich wildlife in the gardens and, if possible, to attract even more. And like most people, I was particularly keen to attract as many butterflies as possible. Adding certain plants for butterflies to feed on, … Continue reading Butterfly Conservation Membership Offer
A Mild Sense Of Panic
After almost three weeks away from the Priory, the difference on my return is marked and, for late March, the garden far more advanced than usual. (I shall do a post soon about my walk across England. I have rather a lot of photos to sort through). I feel a little overwhelmed with how much … Continue reading A Mild Sense Of Panic
The Anxious Gardener 