January tends to be wet in Sussex but this year it was seriously, I'm-not-kidding-you wet. Lying at the bottom of a valley, the garden is a convenient sump for all the run-off from the surrounding woods and fields. During and after heavy rain, water streams through the grounds and into the ponds; it races through … Continue reading A Spot Of Rain
A Happy Ending
The day after my adventure with Cyril and The Cast Sheep, I walked up to the farm to see the new arrival. Margaret was delighted (and relieved) that the unfortunate ewe had not only made a full recovery but delivered a strapping, healthy girl-lamb too. She was less delighted to be woken at 1am by … Continue reading A Happy Ending
Cyril And The Cast Sheep
(Apologies for the poor quality of these photos. Under the circumstances, you'll understand why I used my smart phone rather than my 'proper' camera.) It was only when I befriended a farmer, that I learnt how a ewe might lie down, inadvertently roll on to her back and, tortoise-like, be unable to right herself. This … Continue reading Cyril And The Cast Sheep
The Norfolk Coast
On a cold drizzle-evening recently, I settled down with a glass of wine and my laptop. The laptop's hard drive was groaning with 45 000 (!) digital photos and it was time to make some space. After deleting a couple of hundred, and drifting off to the fridge for a refill, I grew distracted by … Continue reading The Norfolk Coast
Win A Copy Of ‘Secret Gardens Of The Cotswolds’
It's been a while since there's been a book competition on The Anxious Gardener. Time to rectify that with an opportunity to win 'Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds' published by Frances Lincoln. Here's what they have to say about it: Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds is a personal tour of some of the UK’s most … Continue reading Win A Copy Of ‘Secret Gardens Of The Cotswolds’
2015 Calendar
I was reading a post on Christina's blog the other day about a calendar she made from photos of her garden and remembered that I too normally make one. I haven't for a couple of years but with that prod from Christina, I decided to leap purposefully into action. Using an online company, I uploaded … Continue reading 2015 Calendar
A Winter’s Day
After a short Christmas break, I returned to a frozen Priory. Icy, sparkling, frosted, prickly. The valley softened by cloudy breath (if you'll allow me a little purple prose) and the ponds frozen hard. As I crunched about the grounds, I pictured a favourite childhood book - the marvelous Ladybird 'What to look for in … Continue reading A Winter’s Day
The Anxious Gardener 