Monday 9 June 2008

Where I hang out...

The weekend was productive. My back is sore from bending and digging and pulling. This is where I like to hang out at the end of a day's gardening.




This hammock came home all the way from Barbados and the wooden frame was constructed just for it. It is the shadiest part of my garden and Tom loved to swing gently out of the glare of the sun. Actually, everyone likes to have a go. It has had to be reinforced after crashing to the ground as a result of too many people in at one go! Dogs are rather fond of it too...




Looking up, this is what you see. Blue sky (hopefully) and lush green leaves.



Slowly (being the operative word) my only rose, Albertine, rambles up the wooden frame. This is the first year it has had more than one flower on it. I wish you could smell it - it is divine. Alice, this is for you, I know how you love roses.



The toils of the weekend transformed my untidy back border from this...




...to this neater version.




I have planted out all my seedlings from the greenhouse and sowed some seeds directly into the soil. I'm probably a bit late, but better late than never... I took this photo before the final touch of a small green wire fence to keep the dogs and chickens off. Do you see one of my beautiful alliums strewn on the lawn? That's mad dogs for you. I could cry.


Here's a photo of that wonderful orange iris, the one that got battered in the rain last week. It just about survived. I love the furry-looking tongue - it's like a brightly coloured caterpillar looking for a place to hide.

23 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous garden you have. My borders here are all totally awash with rampant lemon balm and looking extremely scruffy.

    Today is the perfect hammock swinging day methinks. Enjoy.

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  2. Thank you so much! I am scratching and sniffing the screen and I am pretty sure there is a faint whiff...

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  3. what a beautiful garden, lots of hard work has gone into it, you can tell. well deserving of a swing in that fantastic hammock!

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  4. I love the hammock - what a perfect place to relax and take in your beautiful garden. The border looks favb after your makeover - not suprised your back was aching!

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  5. I would love to have a swing in that hammock! Your garden is beautiful but I would like to know how do you keep such a lovely lawn with chickens? I have chickens and my lawn is covered in craters!!!

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  6. I will second Simone's comments about your lawn - you must have better trained chickens than me!

    I love the before and after photos of the border - so often gardening leaves me feeling that I've not had much impact. Maybe I should take some before and after shots next time.

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  7. What a fabulous coloured iris - thanks for sharing. And that hammock is most definitely the place to be today

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  8. Lovely, you are ahead of my in the garden, I just got started, we need to cut down some dead trees, (something I hate to do).
    Vicki

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  9. Wow - you did a wonderful job on that border - it looks fabulous. Lovely photos - as always. x

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  10. Would it be okay if I just moved into your garden? So beautiful! K x

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  11. NICE hammock! I think i have one of those roses, didn't know what it was as it was a cutting from the College where i used to work. It smells DIVINE which is why I wanted a cutting in the first place. Now that I don't work there anymore it is a very treasured reminder of happy times.

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  12. I could take a swing in that hammock right now. When England does a perfect summer's day there is nothing to quite beat it - I used to find the colours so rich when I lived there ....that rose is glorious ...

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  13. What a lovely garden you have!!!! All the hard work was definitely worth it :)

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  14. I love to swing in a hammock. If I visit you that is where I'll be!

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  15. Your hammock is beautiful, lovely colour. I can just imagine myself swaying in there with a gin and tonic in one hand and a book in the other...Your garden is looking very impressive, I must say! You thoroughly deserved a rest after all of that hard work!x

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  16. WOW! What a gorgeous garden and the transformation is amazing. Hope you had a nice relaxing drink in your hammock after it was all done. Beautiful!

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  17. Lovely garden...and hammock, perfect for relaxing in after all your hard work. A couple of large handfuls of epsom salts in the bath is great for relieving aches and pains ...and the cheapest place to buy is the garden centre!

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  18. Lovely garden...and hammock, perfect for relaxing in after all your hard work. A couple of large handfuls of epsom salts in the bath, and a good soak, is great for relieving aches and pains (and the cheapest place to buy them is the garden centre!)

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  19. Blimey you've been very busy, lovely border - you definitely deserve a swing in the hammock!
    Stephx

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  20. I'm wishing I could plop down in your garden and read a book in the hammock! Happy Tuesday!

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  21. The perfect place to relax and enjoy your beautiful garden..must be a lovely shady spot in summer too! :)

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  22. Lots of pretty of all sorts happening there...LOVE your pink hammock *SIGH* That looks are perfect spot to rest in...for all creatures great and small ;o) Your border looks lovely--so tidy!--and great with the smart edging. Put you feet in the hammock and enjoy! Happy Days ((HUGS)) OH, stop by when you can, I'm having a little gift giveaway :o)

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