A welcome gap in the weather. After leaving the main road, en route to The Mantles’ estate, I spied a buzzard perching on a post at the side of the road. I cut my speed and approached slowly, coming to a halt next to this beautiful raptor who, other than giving me a derisory glance,Continue reading “Gone”
Category Archives: The Mantles
Back to Work
Apart from a rather dodgy, frankly terrifying in parts, but then I am a scaredycat, journey to work, today was everything I could wish for a first day back to work. Lord Mantle picked me and my tools up from the car park at the top of the road where we marvelled at the viewsContinue reading “Back to Work”
Records
I take photos for two reasons and these are taken into account when I am culling them. The first reason is I am attempting to produce pictures that I can share with you and use to illustrate a point without having to apologise for the quality. I also take them for scientific records. Even ifContinue reading “Records”
Double Vision
A couple of months ago Lady Mantle was invited by Max for lunch. This was the first time that one of my clients had visited another. It got me to thinking. When I lived in Bristol, before I saw the horti-light, I used to visit a hardware shop not far from where I worked. ItContinue reading “Double Vision”
Distracted
When I arrived at The Mantle Mansion this morning I was distracted by something I had passed at the entrance. I wandered into the kitchen, poured myself a cup of coffee and greeted Their ‘Ships, who were dining on kedgeree and peasant porridge. “What is that out the front?” I questioned. They giggled in aContinue reading “Distracted”
So Much More
Gardening is so much more than being able to identify a tree or know which way a plant goes in the ground. Stating the bleeding obvious? Perhaps. After lunch today Lady Mantle whisked me off to visit a local garden, ostensively to admire some autumn colour. Which is exactly what we did. The on-cue afternoonContinue reading “So Much More”
Repeat
Rain sun rain sun rain sun rain sun. To someone with a dodgy zip on their waterproof, this has been very irritating. Obviously we are talking about “me” here, not the bee thingy in the photo, which is definitely more photogenic than me fiddling with my anorak. But then you wouldn’t have made that mistake,Continue reading “Repeat”
Beautiful Bedding
Last year The Mantle’s white enamelled tin bath was filled to overflowing with french lavender. Impossible to beat. Or so I thought. Today a fine petunia and lobelia combination was coming very close.
Life
“Gardening is not instant, or a quick fix, do not be fooled by those programmes, life isn’t like that, be prepared for the long haul” this is my rallying speech to new clients. Looking at The Mantles’ garden this week, just over three years since I arrived, I am proud. Not just for me, butContinue reading “Life”
Off The Edge Gardening 