Bank Holiday weekend May–Garden

I never take a trip out in the car to go walking either in the country or by the coast. living close to toursit areas they are always very busy wjhen the sun shines and people descend on the our beauty spots.

This year it has been warm and dry and I have been able to get out the paint and paint brush and commenced painting the outside walls. I have done them in CREAM and must admit I feel pretty proud of what I have achieved. Looks so much better adding a bright clean look to the garden. It has been many years since painting.

What I like now is the security of my garden. The privacy gives me pleasure to enjoy the outside world again. Before camaras were up watching my every move. The people upstairs always contradicting or asking ‘what are you doing’’?’I even re-call how involved I was in sorting out the top patio when the ‘mam’ from upstairs came round and I had a big argument with him where he actually threw an item at me , missing me by inches.

Still those days are behind me now – great!!

Guess the only thing bothering me now are the cats (3) from next door like to do their buisness in the garden. Have now managed to fill the ground so they will now have great difficulty.

The fruit trees in pots (brought from the old house) are doing very well. Runner beans and Peas and the potatoes I love to watch growing very well. I thought I’d lost the Rhubarb but hey presto  a leaf has now appeared. In my small garden pond (made from a washing up bowl) I have counted 16 Tadpoles. Earlier in the Spring my friend gave me some of her frog spawn. I’ve always wanted these.

On this note I will close as its time for breakfas – Benji and Me

Garden Photo

Iam still trying to get photos from phone tp my computer. But here is the photo of part of the garden

As you can see it is colourful with the mauve and white flowers. These plants were given to me by my friend who is also a keen gardener like myself. The tree you can see is the Cherry tree brought from the other house. The blossom was delightful a while back and now the tiny cherries are forming. The plants brought from the old house are flourishing well and appear to like their new home.

The weather over the past few days has been hot and sunny but seeing the forcast for tomorrow it tells us ‘RAIN’. I gave the plants a good water tonight and had added ‘tomato feed’ in the water.

I will close now as feeling worn out with ‘trying to work things out’!!!!

Outside Painting

I have a new phone and at the moment am trying to work out how to put my photos on to the computer. Really frustrating. I have several photos I wish to share with you re the garden. The way I have done this one is by sending the photo to myself via e-mail, down loading, then transferring to desk top. Friday hope to see someone in my group who can emlighten me on what to do.

Have started outside painting. The colour is ‘cream’ and as you can see it makes a lot of difference. Oh it’s so good to get back to gardening and painting. Having had the Cortosine injection in my knee the pain has gone so will do what I can ‘till it returns.

Bluebells

At this time of the year, especially this year, the woods are filled with the smell and wonderful display of Bluebells. Today was sunny but the wind stillhad a bit of a chill. But our walk to Gnoll park most enjoyable. Here are the phoots taken today near the bottom pond.

                            

 

 

                                       

Benji on May Day 1st May 2017

He’s tired now and fast asleep. This weekend has been an exciting one for him.

Saturday my daughter visited. The weather was dry but still a bit cold. When she visits we all like to got to the beach. This time being no exception. We decided to head down to Caswell Bay. The beach is a lovely big curve and with the tide out we walked down to the sea edge. I let Benji off the lead, and he had such fun running along this great sparse area of sand and I was so delighted when I call him to heel and he came. Near the waters’ edge was a group of large rocks we had not noticed before. On inspection of them we discovered hundreds and hundreds of dead star fish, in the rock pools, clinging on to the rocks.. I put benji on the lead so he didn’t go to sniff or touch them as we had no idea how they came to the end of their life. This did not end there as when we walked to the top part of the beach there were more all in the sand and rock pools. kept Benji on the lead, I hasten to add. There is a lovely cafe’ at the top who allow dogs in, so we had a cuppa inside and watched life go by down on the beach.

That night (in the middle of the night) I was woken with Benji being sick and the next few hours was awake keeping an eye on him. His tummy ‘rummbled’, quite loud. He really was under the weather. Gave him a very small breakfast and he was able to do a slow walk in the morning. I wanted to show my daughter the lovely walk in Eaglesbush, with all the bluebells and greenery out. For the the rest of that day he slept and  chicken and rice he had for his tea. After a good nights sleep Benji was back to his old self. Could he have picked up something on the beach. I’ve decided now to avoid the sand and just walk either the prommanade or sand dunes ect.

I was happy as I’d worried he would not be able to atttend the THE DOG SHOW.

With a much recovered dog we went to the show. Whilst waiting I walked him around the streets nearby, then around the field – so he did not get bored. The time came and as pleased as punch our Benji entered GOLDEN OLDIE. He came second and we now have another certificate and Rosette – blue. He tried for JUDGES BEST but as I told him ‘you won the cup a couple of years ago and now its someone elses turn’’’.

Well I hope you all have a good Bank Holiday as we have. On that note I will finish this blog

Easter Monday 2017

I like to do something special on this day. The weather was sunny and mild  and so I decided to take a walk to our local park. When my Aunty was alive we used to go to Aberdulais Falls or a walk up Gnoll Park. My destination was Gnoll park.

Many families were out enjoying the day. In the wooded areas bluebells were out. Leaves on trees showing their new beginings with fresh green leaves. On the bottom pond not much wild life. Usually the swan nests but this year, I had been told, one of the swans had died and so they took the other one up to the middle pond. Here are many ducks, swans and wild fowl. I boughtn a tub ice cream from the cafe and sat to enjoy and think of the old days when aunty was there and we both would have an ice cream. Benji rolled in the grass and sat looking appealing for the children passing by to make a fuss of him.

                     

Benji being thoughtful and having a roll

Easter Greetings

I wish you all a good Easter and send blessings to all my bloggers.

These are the chicks I have made for my great grandchildren and will share with you.

Mary & Benji

Walk With Benji–Melyncourt Waterfalls

Melyncourt Waterfalls is a spectacular 80 feet high waterfall. It is located 1mile from the village of Resolven situated in the Neath Valley in S. Wales. A twenty minute drive away and the sun shining and it felt warm for Benji and I to explore this delightful  twenty minute walk.

The path, a casual slope, gently wound its way to the top. The brook bubbling,  gurgling  over rocks and boulders speeding its way down from the waterfall to end up in the River Neath, a little distance away.  At the start can be seen a couple of cottages with their gardens ending in a grassy slope. Here displayed an abundance of my favorite wild flower – the Primrose.  Trees showed the fresh green leaves. The water glistened in the afternoon sun. Much fauna could be seen, telling me with their freshness – yes Spring is arriving. Up in the trees birds could be heard calling to one another.

These are the photos taken that day.

                                                  

      the brook                    waterfall coming down from side                         Benji enjoys

 

                                                 

waterfall in distance                       getting nearer                                       at the waterfall

                                               

beginning of walk                                 Moss                                                 Uncurling Ferns

 

                                            

                          Tree & new leaves                           ?  solitary Flower

Capturing A Day In The Garden

We have had a couple of ‘mildish’ days and so the garden called to be attended to.

In Lidls. Morrison and B & M I have purchased some plants. As 3 cats reside next door I aim to plant with plants/hedging, that deter cats.

Along the wall they jump over. The cane screen I’ve taken down and am going to erect to go a bit higher up the wall. It needed triming and with the bits taken off am re-using them. As there is no dirt below 2 large oblong containers have been purchased and my climbing plants put in these. This will be done when the fence bit has been put up. The odd bits of cane have been broken up and placed around the 3 strawberry plants in a container.

I have bought Camellia, Climbing Rose. Varigated Ivy, Virginea Creeper. All just waiting to go in. I miss the Camellia tree at the old flat so was pleased to buy this and will grow it in  a pot.

The bed with the pond has some plants round it. Forget-me-nots picked up from the countryside. Seashells and odd bits of wood are now insitu. And the frog spawn is still there. As yet, I believe, it is too early for tadpoles. Next I’ve scattered the Wild Fower seed a, covered lightly with soil and placed on of the cane sections over to protect from CATS!!!!!!. At the very edge, at the bottom of this area I’ve planted Lavander and the Primula my daughter bought me (She visited last weekend). She has brought me Snowdrops from her garden but as yet have not decided where to put them.

I simply love my green houses and now both are sorted and in the ‘gadening’ one I have put up the paste table to work on. I must admit it is a bit flimsy to say the least but it will do for now and it is only me who will be working in there.

The Crocus have finished flowering but in its place the blue Grape Hyacynth now gives a continious colour to the garden along with the Daffodils. The Fruit trees have buds on. My friends Forcythia is out. There are buds on the Lilac tree, now sitting in the ground. In a pot the Butterfly tree has fresh green leaves.  My Rhubarb tastes delicious  as it continues to flourish in its pot.(All brought from the old place).

The weather has turned again to being wet and and cold yet I look forward to when it improves and once again I can garden and enjoy.

Spring– Beginning In The Garden

Just catching a little time to tell you about the garden.

When moving into a new home the garden is not always to your liking and over the winter months one plans. On a T.V. program I watched it told you how you can create a small pond. A washing up bowl is used. This has been my first venture – to create the pond. I have a lot of ‘surplus’ earth around but now no doubt in time will be re-used.

On one side of the garden, by next door’s fence they previous owners had put loads of small stones so I’ve moved them and am making a border. On my left raised bed I have put the pond. A lot of moving soil and trying to make the edges hold up. I dug a hole and place the bowl in. Put my fossils stones (collected over the years) into the bowl next rain water was added. I bought the special plant that helps to ariate the water. The final step was asking my friend (who has 2 ponds) whether she could spare some of the tadpole spawn. This year in her garden there is am abundance of frogs and spawn. Placed in the jam jar I carefully carried it home and deposited them in the new pond. Today I have been puttingsome plants an old wood around . Now its WATCH THIS SPACE.

I have inherited a long drain pipe and having no idea how to get rid of it decided to plant it in the garden. With openings both ends it could be a great haven for our insect life.

Well that’s all for now