As I am sure everyone else is experiencing the days continue to merge into one. Each much the same as the day before! With the slight relaxation in the lockdown it appears it is now possible to drive somewhere and go for a walk. I really am hoping to do this soon - not to a park or anywhere there might be a lot of people but to a quiet country lane somewhere. To be honest, although B and D go for a local walk most days, I have only been in the garden and once or twice taken the car for a short run to make sure the batter doesn't go flat, so it will be very strange to actually go a little further field.
So for now it is more from the garden and house.
Sowthistle growing in a pot - I am not sure if this is prickly or smooth sowthistle. However, its days may be numbered as it is in the plantpot I need to clear to plant herbs!
Rhododendron
Fly - Green Bottle?? - on Azalea flowers. More bees are appearing but it is not easy to get a photo that is not blurred!
Green Shieldbug
Caddis Fly after being released from the moth trap last week - I haven't put the trap out again as temperatures overnight have been low.
B re-potted the Christmas Tree last year and it is now putting out lots of lovely new growth.
Meadow Buttercup
The Red Campion border - it looks more impressive in real life than it does in a photo.
Honeysuckle is in bud - I usually miss this as it tends to flower when we are on our June holiday which won't be happening this year!
I am SO hoping this Cardoon will flower this year.
Red Valerian
E made these little iced fairy cakes - luckily I already had the little unicorn decorations in the cupboard.
I've made a couple of Picnic Fruit Loaves. I did have a slight mishap with one as when I opened the oven after 45 minutes to cover the top with foil to stop them burning one of the tins (which is a weird shape and only has a small base) had fallen sideways and half the mixture had fallen to the bottom of the oven! I have to admit I scooped it up and put it back in the tin! It did taste a bit dry but was edible!
I think nurseries may be starting to open but I didn't know this last week when I ordered some herbs and lavenders from the National Herb Centre. They arrived on Wednesday and will be planted out hopefully this weekend.
A tiny posy of flowers I picked from the garden.
I am still continuing with the little journal but not drawing every day!!
I hope everyone is staying safe and well. Take care everyone.
All photos taken by me with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330
13 comments:
I keep forgetting to tell you how much I love your journal! It's lovely and I am sure it brings you much pleasure doing it. Like you, I have not left my property since early March, and am concerned over my physical fitness which was poor to begin with. Mentally, of course, I am just as crazy as before. Of course, lockdown in Wales continues. Frankly, I am not sorry, but do feel for all the businesses. Would you mind dm'ing me the details for the herb centre, on Twitter, please? I am envious of your Christmas Tree. Mine is diabolical, I had given it up for dead and was about to toss it but it is now reviving but I doubt will ever properly recover.
Well done with your journal. Here I am mainly sewing (charity quilt and working on my Baltimore quilt) or gardening. A bit of walking too - my asthma was playing up after those half-a-gale winds so I have rested up indoors - but am going to try my luck today again.
Thankyou for the heads up on where to find the herbs I am after and I have the National Herb Centre page up ready! No venturing out to garden centres for me as I am self-shielding. I really miss a wander round a good garden centre too.
Enjoy your slightly less local walks. Here in Wales we are still on Lockdown.
Rustic Pumpkin - Thanks so much. The journal is just a fun thing really especially as I can't paint or draw! but it does make me study species more closely. To be honest I wish the complete lockdown had continued here - it seems far too much too soon. Yes, I will send you details of the herb centre on Twitter but be warned postage and packing were somewhat expensive!! Don't give up too soon on your Christmas Tree - B re-potted last year so it has taken a year to start looking a bit better. To be honest I don't think pots suit them and it would do better in the garden.
Bovey Belle - Thank you so much. I do hope your asthma improves soon. Mine is bad from time to time especially when I get particularly stressed such as on supermarket delivery day!!
I would like to wander round a garden centre too but to be honest, like you, I am going to try and isolate as much as possible. Be warned though postage and packing from the herb centre was expensive!!!!
It is going to take me a while I think to pluck up courage to walk anywhere!
Such a good idea to keep a journal with notes on things spotted and noticed each day. It is something to look back on if ever things get back to some kind of normality. Nature is just carrying on as normal. I'm totally confused some days at to what day it is. We zoomed with friends yesterday as one of them had a birthday, his family had all rung him the day before to sing happy birthday down the phone:) I must admit I'm quite anxious about driving anywhere as yet although we do walk locally most people keep to the 2 metre rule but yesterday two people walked towards us and didn't stop so we literally had to throw ourselves as far away as we could, it was just as if they didn't see us, I was so fed up with them. If we see people on the stret coming our way we usually cross the road with a smile or wave but there was nowhere to go this time. I don't know if you watch Gardeners' World, Monty had a whole area of Red Campion in his garden. Take care:)
Rosie - Thanks so much. I do wonder at times if life will ever return to what it was before. I think NT are going to start slowly re-opening some properties or locations although members and non members have to apply for a pass in advance as only so many being allowed in. TBH I just have no wish to go anywhere like that atm where there might be people! What awful behaviour by those people yesterday :( Some just don't seem aware of the situation or perhaps don't care? :( OH and son on their daily walks locally have experienced a few similar actions which is why I don't go out locally!! I would be constantly crossing the road like you! You have to be careful where you go because things like some public footpaths and canal paths are very narrow and don't allow for social distancing :( To be honest I am still trying to pluck up courage to go anywhere! Then OH mentioned not to use much petrol as he doesn't fancy filling up at a garage at the moment! That is interesting about Monty - thank you I will see if I can catch it on i-player! Take care too Rosie.
I did my first long walk yesterday but still went out early to avoid the crowds, it's difficult when everybody will flock to the popular places! It was good to get out though! The Christmas tree is looking good and I can imagine how good the Valerian looks, I have a lot in the garden and a small road near my house is just full of it.
Pam - Thanks - so glad you got out. I hope you saw some good species :) As you say it is difficult to know where to go. I still favour country lanes and country churchyards as they may have less people. The longer I leave it the more nervous I get at the thought of actually going out.
Another great blog post, Caroline. I only wish i could keep a notebook/journal going or even better write more on my blog but my brain is just too idle lol I just struggle with the whole aspect of putting things into words.
Punk Birder - Thanks so much Dean. I must say your photos express nature more than any words could :) I don't do fancy writing just list really what I see and look up a few facts about plants :)
got to keep smiling... I am enjoying finding nature in unexpected places. :)
Quacks of Pete - Thanks Pete and what you say is very true. I found last week hard for some reason but at the end of the day you have to think of all the things you have to be grateful for :) Nature really helps me to keep going!
I have always loved my local walks. Recently (after lockdown) I have found them difficult for various reason. I don't enjoy them as much at the moment.
I lack in confidence to drive slightly further afield for a quieter walk, not knowing suitable places to park and be safe.
CherryPie - Thank you. My husband and son walk locally but I don't think it has been easy as so many cyclists and joggers :( I wouldn't walk in the country on my own tbh - usually take my son.
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