Garden Day 17

End of the week and everything is so tidy.

Garden Day 16

Progress on the pond under the blue cover!

Garden Day 14 & 15

What a downpour! Suddenly the rain came and all work had to stop. The pond was filling up rapidly and the mortar was threatening to wash away, so the blue 'tent' was erected and the lads called it a day. Then this morning bright and early, they arrived for an inspection and left again to help plant up another garden that was hit by the rain, yesterday. I think their plants needed to get in the ground, whereas our brick laying can wait. Pity, though as today has been lovely apart from one mighty dowpour after lunch. So little progress for these two days.

Garden Day 13

Another early morning photo. More steps on the left and foundations for steps up into the garden, which are just out of shot - hidden by the roof. It's raining today so don't know if there'll be much progress!

Halloween pumpkins

Garden Day 12

They finished in the dark last night, so this is an early morning photo. The pond has got its liner and all associated sand, felt and waterproof underlay. One more layer of breeze blocks and the liner doubles back over and is sealed down with the edging stones, I think. Two lots of steps are complete and the third is just started. Soon the electricals will be going in - for the waterfall and lights. Hope the weather is still kind to us, but it looks grim for Sunday.

Garden Day 11

Rebecca's design is really taking shape as Dan and the guys get stuck in.

Garden Day 10

The steps are going in and the pond is taking shape.

Garden Day 9

Today the lads have had a little digger here to dig out the pond area. As the garden is just a thin layer of top soil over the chalk of the Downs, its quite an effort to 'dig' into. We were out while this activity went on - trying to find a wedding outfit - unsuccessfully. Anyway, you can see the results of the garden effort which was successful; and we are fine pleased with that!

Foovolution

I have just published my contribution to Foovolution on Chattering Chough. Four delicious recipes using ingredients from Hecticium's blog for the previous month. Hecticium has links to all the year's recipes, so you can check out how the project progressed.

Garden Day 8

Yes, it does look as if it's not horizontal, but the garden slopes down to the left making the terraces look as if they slope off to the right! But I've seen the spirit level and all is pretty square according to that.

Louisbourg reflected

Wash your hands before eating

Garden Day 7

So another week done.Wayne and friend worked very hard today and cleared the revolting bark chip covered 'play area' which has been used as the cat loo too; as well as most of the other rubbish. Now the areas for the pond and the bog garden can be seen, but a bit more digging down needs to be done. But wow - just seven working days and we can really see the shape of things to come!

Garden Day 6

Looks like the main terracing is almost complete. It looks as if it slopes down to the right, but its the back fence that slopes the other way. They've worked really hard today! Most of the old sleepers have been removed, too.

Garden Day 5

Another early morning shot with Wayne starting Day 6 already. But you can see great progress is being made.

Garden Day 4

The terraces are taking shape, but rain stopped play a bit early. Hope this doesn't go on for too long - the gardeners were somewhat frustrated.

Garden Day 3

Taken at the start of day 4, as with a houseful of guests I didn't get a chance to take the photo last night. The hooded gentleman in the corner is Wayne who joined the team yesterday. As you can see some structure is being put in and a lot of rubbish has been removed. Its going to get better and better!

Lighthouse

House in a bottle

Nova Scotia window

Garden Day 2

A bit blurry due to the light fading, but great progress with tree stumps out and the 'water feature' dismantled. No more progress until Monday, though as Dan and Chris have to finish off another project

Garden Day 1

Rebecca Webb Garden Designs has made a wonderful plan for our small chalky garden, which is being carried out by Dan and his crew of Earth, Leaf and Stone.

Garden Makeover!

This is the before photo!

Halifax reflection

A hairy visitor

This spectacular caterpillar streaked across the garden today - it really did. It was so fast!

Just managed a close up before it decided to cross the road.

Bear going on a hunt

Moose spotted!

Door wreath

Officially autumn -
outside the village store in North Sandwich, NH

What a place to go to school!

The West wing completed in 1569.

The East wing was completed in 1571 -

At the Royal Grammar School, founded in 1509
This is the first block to be completed in 1557 - apparently in minimal Tudor style.

The 'soldiers' marched all the way up the High Street

And this view is across to the Cathedral

Fabulous view across to Abbott's Hospital - the four 'onion' topped towers in the distance

The 'Garden' on the top
Wonder how the gardeners get to it?

Old walls, new roof

At the heritage open days we visited the top of Guildford Castle

Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother memorial in the Mall

Traces by Kathy Shadwell

Adult & Baby Hippo by Stuart McCarthy
Memories of Tanzania

Cycling School by Daren Greenhow
One for the cyclists

Who Knows Where the Time Goes by Eric Duggan
One for the geologists

Evolution by Don Foxley