We don’t often have cut flowers in the house. It is not that I have anything against them, and I invariably admire them in others’ homes, it just seldom happens. Embarrassingly I have friends who are growers and naturally always champion British flowers. As we have a very small garden any blooms are best leftContinue reading “Daffs”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Songs
All I can tell you about this photo is that I took it in January last year when we were holidaying in Cornwall. It is strange to write “holidaying in Cornwall”. Of course it is exactly what we were doing, but as someone who spent my formative years in West Penwith (and yes those yearsContinue reading “The Songs”
Androsace lanuginosa – Woolly Rock Jasmine
Exquisitely diddy, Himalayan alpine, Foamlea Garden, enough said. 999,998 to go.
Parrotia persica
With the good must come the bad, the cloud before the silver lining arrives, the doughnut that missed the jam nozzle. A month off, but a million photos to catalogue. Here is a photo taken this time last year. It is a blossoming Parrotia persica or Persian Ironwood, taken at RHS Rosemoor. The flowers have no petalsContinue reading “Parrotia persica”
Straggler
Winter is traditionally horticultural ordering season; seed, plants, bulbs. Take your pick. Catalogues have arrived with their evil photos and delicious descriptions, emails regularly pop into your inbox tempting you to (with one click) enter their wicked world. Combined with opportunity aplenty to peruse at pleasure, this adds up to a very slippery slope. IContinue reading “Straggler”
Guilt
Reader, I planted him.
New Year’s Pelly
Happy New Year! To those of you who are here intentionally, to the glam rockers who just happened by after googling “gold platform boots” and to the poor souls who thought that Offtheedge was a place in North Wales and are now terribly disappointed, come on in, you are all welcome. Although a little lateContinue reading “New Year’s Pelly”
Check List
Christmas disco – who doesn’t? Champagne and salmon – every time Thoughtful gifts – so lucky Skype with family – worth waiting for More indulgence – why not? Pub with neighbours – fun and laughter Baubles full of gin – afraid so Twiglets – it’s the law Breakfast with friends – perfect Walk in theContinue reading “Check List”
The Christmas Zebra – A Cautionary Tale
One Christmas, whilst attending St Saviour’s School for Troubled Children, we were tasked with creating a festive scene in a biscuit tin. No wonder we were troubled. I approached this project very seriously, devising a detailed schedule which if adhered to would ensure success. It was as follows: My mother had to be persuaded toContinue reading “The Christmas Zebra – A Cautionary Tale”
The Crypt
Today (the last day of work before my sabbatical don’t you know) was a “don’t venture into the crypt to investigate that strange noise” kind of day. The drive to the Mantle Estate was thick with what would be romantically described as lilting mist but was in reality fiendish fog. The House of Hammer wouldContinue reading “The Crypt”
Off The Edge Gardening 