Away Days – Page 3 – Off The Edge Gardening

Catkins

Catkins; hard to better on a bright winter’s morning. Unlike today which was mizzle from dawn to dusk. But it is enough to remember the good times.

Bideford Long Bridge in the morning sun. All is calm. A moment earlier I had been passed by an excitable crocodile of fluoresence as a stream of school kids walked past. I heard one of them say, as they pointed to one of the moored boats, rusted and land-bound and in the process of slowContinue reading “Blue”

The Great Photo Sorting Season

The Great Photo Sorting Season is now open! When I say “open” I mean “I’ve been thinking about it without doing anything terribly constructive”. My first delve into the recent past is a stunning Iris ensata. This photo was taken on a July visit to Marwood Hill Gardens with my pal Deb. If you wishContinue reading “The Great Photo Sorting Season”

Renewal

Today we went for a walk. This is an example of the crazy things I have got planned for my month long sabbatical. It was nice. We may well do it again. One of the first things we saw was large fallen tree, a beech perhaps but difficult to positively identify without scrabbling and aContinue reading “Renewal”

Grevillea ‘Olympic Flame’

This beauty is Grevillea ‘Olympic Flame” with its exotic flowers that remind me of tropical birds of paradise or perhaps scorching uncut toenails. Take your pick. One image is definitely more attractive than the other. Which ever you decide upon, it is a fabulous shrub and hardier than its fancy plumage would suggest. I haveContinue reading “Grevillea ‘Olympic Flame’”

Respite

The wilds of the last few days have diluted into dull murk with a smattering of hail. Last week was a washout workwise and I am twitching in my enforced respite. I am hopeful for the coming week, the last before my January sabbatical. And then respite of choice. Before we know it, spring willContinue reading “Respite”

Best

A frosty morn; a road trip with Hero, warmed by winter mixture; a coffee rendevous with Torrington Tina, Rusty Duck and Mrs Bun; a lesiurely wander around sugar sifted gardens, enjoying the familiar and admiring the new; chickens and fir cones and deer and ferns; icy rills and the ghosts of water lilies; soup, cheddarContinue reading “Best”

Kindness

Social media tells me it is World Kindness day. Sounds like a good thing. Although I doubt the people who should be taking note are paying attention. Still we must do what we can. Today we had a day trip to the big city, well a city anyway. We wore our best smocks held neatlyContinue reading “Kindness”

Lichen

Lichen and granite, mustard yellow and gunmetal grey, happily cohabiting on a grievously exposed sea wall. A few hours later, in much different circumstances, a friend’s easy chair and contrasting footstool echoed this perfect marriage. Life imitating life.

Walking

Due to the fact that my Mean Machine is still at the menders, I have had to walk to work for the last couple of days. Luckily these jobs have been relatively local and the sun was shining or I might not have been quite so nonchalent. This morning, on my trek to work, IContinue reading “Walking”