This week, in the pretence of treating you to some joy at this festive time but in reality is because it is tipping with rain and I am in a grump, I will be presenting to you lovely folk six happy recollections of the year past. Whether or not this is permitted, perhaps an addendum in the tome that is the Six on Saturday rule book, quite frankly my dear etc etc. Please feel free to pop over to see what the generally law abiding SoS elves have been up to and if our very own Santa Prop has got his gardening mojo back. Let’s get this party started.
In the eye of the storm I managed two visits to RHS Rosemoor in the space of week. They were both joyful events. This photo is not staged. At the time I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I am still undecided.
In February, when we were all still innocents, we had an amazing few days in London. Always on the lookout for the green, on the banks of the Thames I spied some valiant lichen and evidence of a passing angel.
This picture always makes me happy. It is the seedling of, what I believe is, a lesser spotted orchid which has made its home in the furry arms of a large fern at Westwell Hall. And why wouldn’t you?
Onto a green variegated zantedeschia, donated by Mrs Bun to Max. It is always good to share, especially a plant which sounds so unlikely to be beautiful, and never fails to prove you wrong.
My cosmos were rubbish this year. Nancy Nightingale’s were wonderful. More than wonderful.
In August, as a birthday treat, Hero whisked me off in her campervan. After visiting Atlantic Botanic and a delicious picnic, we went for a walk on Braunton Burrows. I spent much of the time with my head down, marvelling at the wildflowers, including this little echium, growing in almost pure sand. A memorable day.
And to finish (and yes, I can count but refuse to cull any of the above photos, so stuff that in your pipe and smoke it) three doves. They are the symbol of peace and hope and of course love. Which is exactly what I wish for you all.
Off The Edge Gardening 
Some joy sent and received. I’m thinking you included an extra to make up for Jon’s missing one. Happy Christmas, a chara.
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That worked out rather well didn’t it? These things often do. I’m hoping so anyway. Happy Christmas my friend, a chara!
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Looking at the first photo with this mask hanging on the kniphofia gave me an idea for my next Six. I’ll see if I manage to put it into action…
What a sky blue colour of the last photo with the 3 doves! Stunning..
I hope this is a sign of hope for 2021… A merry Christmas to you and your loved ones
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Intriguing ……… And thank you
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Lovely. What else could we wish for: peace, hope and good health of course! Have a Merry, little Christmas!
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Thanks Gabby, you too. Is it snowing?
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Still managing pretty colours, one way or another! Have a lovely Christmas.
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Thanks Granny, we have plenty of food and drink, so all we need to do is stay well and it will be just fine.
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I think the selection of favourite photographs is a great idea and will run with it next week – imitation being the greatest form of flattery!
As to the spotted leaf – Common Spotted Orchid, I think. Dactylorhiza fuchsii subsp fuchsii.
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Of course! And thanks for the ident. 🙂
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What a fun and varied mix! A reminder that we are supposed to have fun at this time of the year, even if events conspire against that. The three doves are lovely and apt – Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Sel 🙂
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That was a cheering Six. Crikey, I’d forgotten about my trips to London last February. Seems years ago. I took my parents to Rosemoor back in 2017 I think. Loved it (though the drive there was filled with wrong turnings and cursings at the sat nav (because it was obviously the sat nav’s fault). Have a safe and Happy Christmas.
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It seems a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? Take care and glad you were cheered 🙂
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The first photo would make me cry if I saw it for real. I loathe masks. Even pretty ones. I refuse to buy pretty ones because I don’t want to be wearing them for much longer. But then someone on the TV said he thought we would still be wearing them until next autumn. At least. And that made me want to cry too.
Anyway enough.
Glad you found six or was it seven? things to talk about. The doves are sweet. Let’s hope next year is too. In the meantime I am sending you seasonal greetings and good cheer 🥂
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And the same to you my friend, take care x
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Fabulous post – and the doves are lovely.
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Thank you, they were perfect posers!
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Your beautiful doves strike a lovely “Peace, love, hope and good health” to you Sis, and maybe Jon will allow an amount of democratic choice amongst us SOS, and best of is a good way to go, if there is no other choice. Enjoy your day with your nearest and dearest.
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Thanks Sis, and the same back to you x
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What a year and plants have been our saviours! I have probably mentioned it before but wild echium or Vipers Bugloss is one of my very favourite plants – Derek Jarman loved it too! Merry Christmas and here’s to less to be grumpy about next year.
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Perhaps one day you will get to the Burrows, they are a wonderful place. And quite, the only way is up baby! x
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They have certainly helped along the way. I was astounded by the wildflowers on The Burrows in August, so many of them and no one seemed to be looking down apart from me! Have a great one x
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Yours are the most artistic that I have seen so far today; especially the first and last. They remind me of good old fashioned photography, back when we put more work into it, and ‘film’ was a commodity.
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Thank you Tony. 🙂
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Thank you Tony 🙂
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You are welcome.
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Braunton Burrows are fantastic aren’t they? My husband used to live nearby and we revisited in August. That pioneering echium is something else!
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August? We may have passed each other ……
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Thank you – a reminder of things to come next year! Best wishes for Christmas and a better New Year in 2021
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Thank you so much and the same to you x
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Lovely post, with some super photos, and a great one to end off the post with – those little white doves! Wishing you a Happy Christmas!
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Thank you, have a good one!
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lovely. First one made me cry too but the others cheered me up. Thank you.
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Sorry about the cry, happy about the good cheer! x
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thanks and peace & love to you, too 🙂
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Fabulous photos all of them, most especially the zantedeschia, like a huge green Rolling Stones tongue – showing my age here! Peace to you this Christmas, and above all, stay well. x
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It is! I hadn’t seen it like that before, but now I do. 🙂 You have a wonderful time too x
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