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

Clematis

I was a little disappointed that the Priory's old and established garden only boasted one clematis.  Over the last six years I have rectified that shortcoming by adding a further twenty or so and today there are almost two dozen clematis dotted about the grounds.  Here are some of them. The original Priory clematis is … Continue reading Clematis

Wordless Wednesday

Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)

Autumn Light

For a couple of days last week the skies cleared and the sun shone.  After a short holiday away, a return to work wasn't so very awful. We've had plenty of dark cloud and rain recently but with sunlight filling the valley, there's nowhere I would rather be.  And neither, I suppose, would Digby the … Continue reading Autumn Light

Putting the Garden to Bed

I haven't posted much recently or visited many blogs.  One reason is bone-idleness.  Another, that I needed a break from all things blogging.  And a third was because I wrote an article for Wayfair.co.uk.  When I was 10, I had a letter published in the comic, 'Donald and Mickey'.  Hardly a great claim to fame … Continue reading Putting the Garden to Bed

The Tawny Owl

I joined the Priory in the summer of 2008 and since then, I have regularly heard the call of a male tawny owl.  From late morning until I go home, the magical hoo-hoo of that owl has both delighted me and driven me nuts.  I've stopped work, I've run for my camera and I've stalked … Continue reading The Tawny Owl