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The First Anomolies of 2025
I found it hard to believe it when I saw these fuchsia blossoms on a plant that is growing in a secluded corner of the garden. Well actually it grows in my neighbour’s garden but blossoms in mine. The plant has just two leaves – so how on earth have these managed to thrive without…
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After the Deluge – and Snow!
It is hard to believe that two of the crab apple trees are still holding on to some of their leaves this late in December. The vibrant colours give the area a festive look and I hope that they last until Christmas. The absence of much dramatic colour at this time of the year has…
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The Storm Season Is Here
I was not at home when Storm Ashley hit this area, so was rather concerned about the garden given the damage caused by the storm last week. Luckily, there were no major issues and I was able to get to the house without using a chainsaw! The state of the garden is mixed. Many of…
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An Extended Winter
Storm Kathleen has passed, leaving me with yet another puzzle to work out in the garden. This area at the top of the drive is bordered by Elaeagnus hedges to protect the garden proper. They are thick and dense and impossible to penetrate. Kathleen has left many of the bushes almost bare of leaves and…
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The Birds
Despite, or maybe because of, the bad winter my garden has been full of birds all winter. This year I have a large flock of House Sparrows and an abundance of long tailed tits and green fiches as well as the usual motley crew. My resident flock of Goldfinches numbers about nine but last year…
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From Ice to Isha
The evening sun on the neighbouring hillside. A regular occurrence during the cold spell, although I was often hunkered down in the warmth of the house and missed it on more than one occasion. Hunkering down is becoming a habit and is just as useful for storms as freezing temperatures. Storm Isha is no exception.…
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Shooting Oneself in the Foot
Guess how many sparrows are perching in this hawthorn tree? Trying to count them I think that I may have shot myself in the foot. Every year I try to improve the conditions for the birds here in the garden and this year has been no exception. The best area is now enclosed on three…
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A Festive Frog
Colourful Cotoneastor providing a festive backdrop despite the hard winter. Ferdinand the frog is continuing to develop a nice patina of lichen despite his smooth surface. Over the last week or so I have been practicing for the Survey for the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. I did not expect to have much to…
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Winter Treasures
It is time to feed the birds again and I am trying to work out how I can get an accurate count of their numbers. I have four bird feeding stations and am joined each morning by one or two robins as I move from station to station. However, as the feeders are quite far…
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After Agnes
Gardening can be a strenuous occupation. Storm Agnes, like most other storms, provided me with an extra workout as I rushed around the garden removing anything that might cause damage and moving pots to safer parts of the garden. Each time I swear that I will give up using plastic pots. However, mine are over…