A LONG WALK TO TOWN

As our River walk access is being closed for 10 days I thought I'd better take advantage of it when I went to town to return my audio book to the library. I was prepared that after all the rain it would be terribly muddy but some of the boggiest parts have been filled in with sand since my last walk...HURRAH!

The only problem with walking to town this way is takes so long!!!!...not because the distance is any longer than by using the pavement...it's just I'm stooping every few yards to take photos!!! Here are just a few.................

Oh...senior moment coming up here.......the audiobook I was returning...the whole reason for me going to town......I FORGOT TO PUT IT IN MY BAG!!!!!...oh well; I had a nice walk anyway...

Congratulations to Chris Beardshaw on winning a Tudor Rose Award at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show for his garden "The Growing Schools Garden - learning outside the classroom". Chris had worked with children of all ages from more than 30 schools. As well as providing inspiration, they have designed and made many of the garden’s features and grown some of its plants. It is delightful to see children taking such an interest in gardening and Alton Infant School won Best Small Garden for there entry "Learning to Look After Our World". For more information visit the RHS Hampton Court Web Site.

I'm having problems with my pond this year; the water is like pea soup, usually by this time of year it is crystal clear. It doesn't help much that the fish have eaten all the oxygenating weed I had and I can't get any locally.....and now the pond pump has packed up! I spent a delightful 2 hours in the pouring rain yesterday trying in vain to get it to work but I think it's had its day. It's going to be quite a job replacing it this time of year when the garden is so full of plants as the cable is buried. Hopefully the fish will be ok.....actually I hope I'm ok! after having my hands in the murky depths and then hearing on the news that dog walkers have been warned to keep their pets on leads when walking in lower Colchester Castle Park. It seems a blue green algae was discovered in the boating lake. The Environment Agency visited Castle Park on 3 July and confirmed that the algae which had appeared overnight in the boating lake was of the blue green variety which occurs naturally in river water, particularly during warm damp weather and low light levels. Although not known to be harmful to ducks and other wild fowl, blue green algae can be harmful if swallowed by dogs and humans. It can also cause a rash or irritation if it comes into contact with the skin or eyes and therefore park visitors and pets should avoid coming into contact with the algae and the water in the boating lake. I'm sure my pond water is green rather than blue green .............and I've not experienced any itching.

This morning I'm off to help with the School Sports Day; more heavy rain last night but sunshine this morning so hopefully it won't be called off. The teacher of the class I've been helping has been so sweet and sent me thank you notes each time I've helped.

A BIT OF SUN HELPS

The first bloom of the Polish Spirit Clematis.
Although we've still had plenty of heavy rain it's been nice to see a little sun on the garden..this area which holds the largest of the Cannas really needed some sunshine.
and although it copes with the shade the wheelbarrow has looked perkier with the improved light levels
The Buddleia in the far corner is starting to flower well now;

so I can look forward to some more butterflies in the garden; this poor little thing seems to have a damaged wing but still managed to fly around quite happily...

this poor grasshopper seems to have lost one of his antenna...I wonder if it's the extremely strong wind we've had during the bad weather that has caused all these injuries..... The pink bedding Begonia is now smothered in huge bloomsand the red one has now started to bud.This pink Lily is so pretty and smells delicious................ This Yucca Mick brought home from a job he was on about 6 years ago...one of his workmates was throwing it out.....this is the first year it's ever flowered.........My camera has a video facility; not the greatest picture quality but good enough for a quick tour around the garden........as it's a movie I've laid on some popcorn.......



The sun's peeking through again now.......see you later!

THIS WEEKS GARDEN CATCH UP

Just a quick catch up of the latest garden happenings...luckily except for snail damage everything seems to have come through unscathed despite the horrendous weather lately. I think the low light levels, cooler temperature and lack of sun may bring some of the Autumn flowering plants forward and set the Summer flowers back. If you've dropped by for my Photo Hunters post...just scroll down a bit more.

LIZARD ROCKIN'

Despite the predictions yesterday was not as wet as expected; (though some parts of the country have been badly flooded; condolences to families who have lost loved ones).

Here there was even a glimmer of sun between the showers (and downpours)...it gave me a chance to get outside and do some deadheading....even in our small garden there was lots to do. The Strawberry Spinach has started fruiting now.....the fruits are quite pippy but very colourful...and I've had some great salad leaves off the plants.

Now I must show you this.................... for the last couple of years over at the school Manda works at a family of lizards have been basking during the Summer on one of the windowsills.....Manda has so much wanted to get a photo but camera and lizards were never in the same place at the same time. Yesterday she had taken my camera to work with her so she could copy some of the photos I took on the school outing last week.....at one point when the sun was shining she went and checked the windowsill .....and the lizards were there!!!!!!It was so lovely at dusk time....as it was dry I was able to have a twilight sit in the garden.......I really like the solar lamps..........they throw out a soft glow...I don't want the garden lit as though it's in floodlights.....

as I love the magical feel of the garden as darkness comes.....................

I've also received another Rockin' Girl Blogger Award ....thanks Anna (if you've never seen her fabulous photos you've missed a treat).......I have on on my Million Stories Blog and am so happy to have one here too. Anna was so kind when she said: Ruth has a wonderful blog full of wise words and a great photo every day to accompany them. She is also a VERY gifted gardener, and her garden blog is a joy to see!..............
now time for me to do some nominating......if you already have one I hope you'll accept another or if you prefer just pass it on to another deserving blog ......

Analia....I know you've been offline for a while but I know you'll be back soon....through all the trials that life has thrown at you you've always found time for your blogfriends. Your writing is poetry and I'll always be grateful for the special words you wrote for Mick.

Suzi-K.....your photos and tours are so full of fascinating information....and help me to learn about a part of the world (South Africa) I know so little about. Your art work is beautiful and has a quality of its own....wishing you luck in you new venture.

Elsie...(another South African friend) for all your inspiring ezi-blogs......so many gift ideas and wonderful recipes...and your ezi-kids-stuff-galore should be bedside reading for every Parent and School teacher.

Crafty Gardener...a beautiful garden, wonderful information and such inventive ideas that would grace any garden. The tower of tea-pots is beautiful and the tipsy pots!...inspirational.

LilyMarlene....who works so hard on her wonderfully productive allotment and still found time to post all her fabulous photos from Chelsea....plus (just in case I ever get to the Isle Of Wight) she is filling a Rumtopf!!!!!

I MEANT TO BLOG THAT!

Every Saturday night I try and sort out the countless photos I've taken during the week and often come across a few that I'd meant to post but either slipped through the net or were just to blurred to see clearly. With Leanne and the kids staying plus the fact it had been an emotional weekend I didn't get around to doing it till I got up this morning. As I'd nothing specific to post today I thought I'd let last weeks forgotten few have their 5 minutes of glory.

A few damsels

Lily pads on the river
Windswept Poppy....Bobby Charlton comb over style?

back to back Frog & Hedgehog!

Not the greatest photos...but this Hornet was massive and I didn't intend getting too close!

Cute baby bird in the park
and a cute albino chipmunk

Beautiful Canna leaf

Pelargonium in it's 4th year...a cutting brought home by Mick
Reflection of the garden in a water droplet
Quaking Grass
Don't bees have hairy legs!



This one wasn't a "forgotten" photo...it's last night's sunset

Just had a lovely surprise; Shaz at Us Danes & Our Family has given me one of their awards! What a great start to an otherwise gloomy, rainy Monday morning. Thanks!!!! I shall wear it with pride.

RUTH'S SHOOTS

Keep squirrels out of your bird feeder by crushing cayenne peppers and placing them in the feeder. Squirrels hate it but the birds love it!

FENCE TO FENCE SUNSHINE

What fabulous weather we had this weekend....the heavy rain and cold nights of last week seem a distant memory now...and the sunsets have been glorious! The bees have been busy and are loving the foxgloves

and the dragonflies and damselflies have been whizzing around like mini helicopters...some even sitting long enough for me to take a photo!

And love was definitely in the air for this pair...they actually landed on my teashirt...I felt a bit voyeuristic as I grabbed my camera!
No digital enhancements on this photo...Lesley Joseph really is this vibrant!

The newts are still around...I'm seeing them on land a little more now...
and the Lantana are really enjoying the sunshine...they are still such small plants...can you imagine how spectacular these will look as they grow into a small bush... I also have a yellow one and a pink one..will get some photos when they come into flower.........
I love the way the seed heads of the Allium bulgaricum point to the sky...only a few weeks ago they were like little bells hanging down....
The colour of the Acer Dissectum is at its best at the moment.................

You'd be forgiven thinking there had been a wedding outside the front door; the flower petals are dropping quickly from the tree outside........this is now so tall and so close to our houses...I wish the Council would take a look at it as it could do serious damage to property if it came down in a strong wind....branches are always falling off and hitting the cars below and the noise the Crows make in the morning!

A quick update on the Great Pip Challenge; avocado, lychee and oranges all doing well...not growing much but healthy
Yes I certainly think Summer is on it's way at last...I HOPE I've not spoken to soon!