Felley Priory

Today we decided to escape from our now very short 'to do' list and visit Felley Priory. It has wonderful planting set off by imaginative topiary and everything looked immaculate. There were very few visitors as you can see from my photographs, (the only downside of our trip was that I was out weeding late into the evening as suddenly my borders didn't seem so tidy after all!)

Puss

Our little wild puss has been giving us a very trying time recently. First she disappeared, then she returned having hurt her foot and held it feebly in the air. We arranged for a cat trap to be loaned to us to try and take her to the vet as, even after two years of regular feeding, we still can't get near her. This was her cue to disappear for another week and saunter back without her limp (after I'd been out searching ditches and knocking on doors looking for her). Now she is absent much more than she's here. Apparently some nights she is staying down in the village but tonight she deigned to pay us a visit.

Inspecting

Earlier today a buzzard landed on the top of our bean poles, I was too slow with the camera to photograph it but a little later, when this jay appeared to inspect our gardening efforts, I was better prepared!

Loud birdsong

This little wren filled the morning with it's song today. Picking a spot on the top of the hawthorn it sang and sang. It is hard to believe that something so small can project so much volume. The glorious sunshine that has suddenly arrived makes us want to sing too ... but fortunately for anyone in earshot we don't (at least not out loud!)

Who knew ..

... that pheasants liked sprouts! We had only just planted out these seedlings, with Dave cutting fancy surrounds from carpet underlay when Mr Pheasant decided this was just what he fancied for supper. He even had the nerve to doze off under the rhubarb and didn't shift until I was nearly upon him!

Buttercups

Our meadow is turning yellow as the buttercups flower. There are so many different types of grasses and in the evening I've been watching the swallows as they swoop down low to skim the tops in their (easily satisfied) quest for little insects. We wonder if we are going to get a storm as the air is very heavy tonight.

June gardening

Today we looked around our vegetable garden and decided that some things definitely needed replacing, our runner beans had totally failed to germinate and there were relatively few peas or sweet peas (due largely to the pheasants)! After a trip to our local nursery we spent the afternoon weeding and planting. How come the weeds and the grass manage to thrive whatever the weather is like. No sign here of flaming June, only our hard work kept us warm against the chill northerly wind.

Midnight mowing

Yesterday the fields surrounding us had their grass cut (in the dark) and tonight the work began collecting it in. It was 2am before the final trailer load left ... not much time for sleep before their cows needed milking (and not much regard for the fact that it's a bank holiday). Our own fields produce hay and so it will be another month before they're cut. At the moment they are turning yellow as all the buttercups start to flower.

Vanish ... ing

Red wine on expensive white bedding ... oh dear. Vanish Gold (plus a lot of time and elbow grease) came to the rescue despite first turning the stains an alarming shade of blue. Gradually though the colour faded and the marks are now only feint. It was a good blowy day for putting washing (many loads) out on the line to dry. Now I just have a pile of ironing to tackle ... and the carpet.

I can see a list of guest rules evolving:

No drinking red wine in bed!

Lucky lady

One of our guests was greeted with a surprise bouquet on arrival thanks to the thoughtfulness of her partner and my talents at flower arranging! I had fun putting together white lilies and roses, cream freesias and a few of my own tulips to add some colour. There was also a single red rose for a bud vase by the bed ...