Bank Holiday Fix

Today - must have my fix - a walk in the park - comfy old trackies on - walking shoes - bag over shoulder plus my bins - just in case - oh and must have! the dog - like she would let herself be left behind - quick dash to do the chores then out to the Sports and away we go - both with our seat belts on - yes I mean the dog as well - she gives me the look if I forget to strap her in - not so that my driving is so bad.

Ok - so today we took the route through the woods - rabbits today and squirrels - took them by surprise - heh we were early - freshly dug mole hills - do you know that I have not seen a mole for many a year - but obviously they are still there burrowing away - living their lives in a myriad of tunnels under the turf.

Today the Laburnham trees have come into their best - reminding me again of that wonderful Luburnham arch at Bodnant - seen and photographed a couple of years ago - I must search that one out and post it on the blog.Also the pink Hawthorn was out - looking good against the last of the bluebells and the Campion.

I decided to change the walk a little today and veered off to the left under the ancient pine trees and past the hall - to see if the swans were nesting on the island in the river. I did not get as far as the island - because on the far side of the river in the reeds I spotted two swans - I reached for my bins and lo and behold - yes they had a nest and belive it or not a mallard duck was sat dangerously close to the nest - but neither swans or duck seemed put out about this - such is life in the world of nature.

I turned to make my way back to the pathway when my gaze was caught by a flash of bluey black - then another and another - they were dragonflies or maybe damselflies - now I do not know a lot about either but made a note to self to check this out at a later date

A quick browse in the NT book shop finished off my morning fix

A walk in the Park

An early morning walk in the park at Attingham with my dog Blue - what a start to the day - just what the doctor ordered - plenty of exercise and ooh what piece of mind.

First a brisk walk under the rookery - listening to those birds and their morning chatter - and then a turn into the woods to marvel at the bluebells - and my how a little sunlight streaming through the leafy branches changes the kaleidoscope of colours in the wood.

Squirrels chasing up tree trunks - not any rabbits today - but numerous birdcalls to listen to - thrush and blackbird and then the finches to and tits and was that a Blackcap - it was I came home and played my DVD on birdsong just to double check

Wild flowers and cultivated shrubs mingled together -a heady perfume to be sure - the dandylions in the meadow are now a sea of white - the tiny seed heads floating in the wind

Flowers seen and enjoyed today - of course the bluebells - the snowdrops now long forgotten - their tired leaves flattened brown against the earth.

Red Campion (known as Thunder flowers when I was a child - don't know why!) mixed together with lacy wild parsley lady smocks in the wet patches - a favourite of mine - I often searched for these with my mother when I was a child also - along with marsh marigolds - but today no marsh marigolds

Cultivated shrubs were blooming to the full - Azaleas - gold and orange - rhododendrons in a myriad of colours white pink and scarlet and lilac - both mauve and white - the horse chestnut trees were all in full bloom with a promise of golden brown conkers to come

A swan sailed serenely by relected in the river by the early morning sun - what more could you want to recharge the batteries for another probably stressful day!

Gardening News

This week lots to do in the garden - first of all - arrival of 66 baby Heliotrope from Suttons - quite small - but healthy plugs - potted on and put in the greenhouse - must say that I am very pleased with my own Heliotrope seed planting - they are now much bigger plants - so we shall see what happens.

Potted on own miniature yellow foxgloves - seeds set 25th Feb - I have left these in the greenhouse for the moment to get used to things and also because it is so cold at night.

Planted on summer bulbs for a good display later in the year- and put pots of gladioli started off in the greenhouse - out on the front patio - with my hosta plant - which is doing very well protected by slugproof gel bought at the Shrewsbury Flower Show last year - it really works!

Sweetcorn - courgette and French bean plants continue to grow in the greenhouse - these are my contribution to the allotment - to be planted out early next month - radish are already through and should produce later this month.

Plan to transplant lettuce plants later this week - during a dry spell - and cover with a home made cloche to be made from glass given to me by a friendly neighbour

Checked on Canna Lily - planted in a pot - now in the greenhouse - but no sign of life there so I watered it and gave it a good talking to - so we shall watch that space

Pleone bulbs set in a trough have produced a leaf but no flower as yet - and violas are in flower - my favourite being a white one that I have had many years - viola seeds saved last year are through but I didn't label them so am unsure of the colour - so that will be a nice surprise - note to self - always make time to write out a label!!

Easter cacti has burst into bloom - better late than never - and cerisepink zygocacti buds continue to burst open - always amazing me - their size and depth of colour - note to self - to replace cream and orange plants lost over period of time - a truly stunning bloom

Casualty this month Jasminum polyanthum - sorry to say I think I may have been to generous with the watering - a costly mistake.

Potted on Streptocarpus plugs bought from Malvern Spring Show - own cuttings also are doing well - have also joined the Streptocarpus Society - and plan to grow more of these plants -