Donkey Sanctuary

I have just received my newsletter from the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth Devon - included was this poem that I would like to share with you it was written by Dr Elisabeth Svendsen from the sanctuary.

I have attached the website address at the bottom of the poem - perhaps you may like to visit

It's cold and dark, and I'm standing alone
On a wet,boggy pasture I have to call home
If I try to lie down my coat gets all wet
And although I am freezing , I'm covered in sweat

I'm worried

I'm not sure why.but I've pain in my feet
I've turned right around so my back's to the sleet
But my legs are all shaky and I just cannot stand
And sink to the ground to lie on the land

I'm frightened

I'm scared that I won't be alive for the dawn
I'm starving, with no chance to eat till the morn
And sleep seems impossible I'm so very cold
I'm not very big and I don't think I am old.

I'm shivering

I think I am dreaming - I see a bright light
And I hear people's voices,coming near in the night
"He must be near here - it's where he was seen
And the footsteps come nearer - I'm lit up in a beam.

I'm startled

"Oh my god ,here he is, in a terrible state
I just hope we've found him before it's too late"
And gentle hands lift me, I just cannot stand
And they carry me off over wet ,boggy land.

And I'm worried again

I cannot remember the rest of the night
I rested on straw as we drove until light
Then tender hands lifted me out of the van
And a kind voice said "try to stand if you can"

And I tried

I was helped to a stable, so warm and so clean
Given hay and water - the best meal I've seen
And they bathed my feet and I felt this was heaven
For God had found me sanctuary in Devon

And I never had to worry again!

web site www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

Garden Memories and This and That

When I take a walk into my garden - which is as often as I can - I look at plants and remember times gone by - when that plant came into my garden - maybe the gift of a friend - bought as a reminder of a special time or grown from seed always bringing back memories of people and times past.

I have posted pics of some of my favourites and reminded self of days gone by and have felt a little sad at times whilst writing this blog.

The yellow daisy - this is what we call it - I am not sure of its correct horticultural name - was given to me by a neighbour who sadly died in the garden next door from a heart attack - it flowers well every year - and the Tansy came as a baby plant from the Monastery shop on Caldey Island in Wales.

The bright Red dahlia is one of three bought fom the League of Friends shop at the local hospital - Bishop of Llandaff - it has a dark red foliage - and seems to be doing well - I must try to keep this for next year - heads in books to see what to do !!

The allotment gardeners shed is looking very colourful this year and the rabbits seem to have moved on to better things - maybe the foxgloves do work - but now the caterpillar invasion has begun - so heads down to sort this out - the runner beans are cropping well and the garlic has done well - this is now drying out in the greenhouse - the row of sunflowers at the bottom of the allotment look very continental - I am sure the birds will appreciate these during the winter to come.

My streps bought as plugs from the Malvern Show are beginning to flower and my own cuttings are flowering too - also I have sent to Dibleys for a special plug - a species strep called Blue Moon - see pic in side panel.

Oh and I must blow own trumpet - I have posted a pic in the side panel of own grown heliotrope in flower - plus a bee - obviously well impressed - I have already bought the seed to grow more plants for next year! half price of course!

Lots to do in the garden - weeds are flourishing unfortunately - on my to do list - after blogging of course!