You may remember that last April, my brother and I spent some time in Poland before jumping on a train at Gdańsk and trundling westward to my favourite city - Berlin. (See 'A Postcard From Poland'). I know Berlin fairly well and visit regularly but I hadn't been to the Berliner Zoologische Garten for several … Continue reading Berlin Zoo
Photo
Wordless Wednesday … With Some Words
Aconitum napellus has bloomed in the nick of time: the first Priory frost can only be a few days away. oooOOOooo I'm flying off to Spain for a few days paddling, frolicking and general misbehaviour. But before I go, I'll just mention that the Royal Horticultural Society is holding a new blogging competition. Four judges … Continue reading Wordless Wednesday … With Some Words
Poppies On The Downs
A smudge of red has been visible from The Old Forge for over a week. As I worked in the garden, it drew my eye. The following morning, I decided to go for a closer look. I associate field or common poppies (Papaver rhoeas - should you care), with field margins but this huge expanse … Continue reading Poppies On The Downs
Wainwright’s Coast to Coast … In Winter
Only it wasn't winter. It was March, almost Easter, and a time, I'd supposed, of primrose lined paths, sparkling sunshine and hosts of nodding daffodils. But in Northern England this year, March was decidedly still very much winter. Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk is an almost 200-mile path from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast … Continue reading Wainwright’s Coast to Coast … In Winter
Charleston Manor
In a quiet crease of the South Downs lies Charleston Manor. It is somewhere I have long wanted to visit and so, when I heard that the gardens were open, I almost fell over with excitement. After a pub lunch in nearby Litlington, we trundled up the yew-lined drive, to the house. The house itself … Continue reading Charleston Manor
An Arum By Any Other Name
Were you to visit The Priory at this time of year, and were I to gently push your nose under bushes and hedges and into shady, damp corners you would certainly notice Arum maculatum. You might not know it by its Latin name but perhaps you call it Lords and Ladies. Or Cuckoo flower - … Continue reading An Arum By Any Other Name
The Anxious Gardener 