What a long and cold, tedious winter that was. Spring is arriving in The Priory gardens, but I thought I'd buck the seasonal blogging trend of crocuses and primulas and daffodils; and subject you, instead, for a little longer at least, to more snow and wintry scenes. Sorry. And then I promise, I will bid … Continue reading A Look Back At Winter
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
Time For A Walk
Each year, during late winter or early spring, I go for a walk. A lengthy, solo walk. I decide which long distance footpath I want to do, work out the miles I'm going to walk each day, pre-book all my accommodation and buy my train tickets. This year, I'm walking Wainwright's Coast to Coast; a … Continue reading Time For A Walk
Little Owl
I disturbed a bird the other day. I was walking through the garden of the Old Forge and something broke cover. Though I managed to get a hurried snap of it in flight, it was gone too quickly for me to see what it might be. It was only later, alerted by the scolding call … Continue reading Little Owl
The New Greenhouse
In the south-eastern corner of the Priory grounds, something's been going on. Slowly, during the past few weeks, we've been growing a new cedarwood greenhouse. Buying a greenhouse during the December sales secured us a 20% discount. But buying a greenhouse during the December sales meant having to build the thing during the balmy months … Continue reading The New Greenhouse
Birdwatching
I don't get a great variety of birds in my garden. Plenty of herring gulls, and a family of charismatic crows. Hardly exciting stuff, though we do get ... ... green woodpeckers too. They are regular visitors, feeding mostly on the ants that live in our dry, chalky soil. But in comparison to the Priory, … Continue reading Birdwatching
Keeping Busy, Keeping Warm
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
The Anxious Gardener 