I now take my phone with me when I am out walking with dog to photograph anything I find interesting, or something that appeals to me with a view to getting the Acrylic paints out one day (my original retirement plan) with easel and trying to capture it on canvas.

Yes Veggie, I have had a sheltered life!
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Today I got to thinking that its not only my eyes which glory in the moment, but my other senses as well.

As I get older I have learned to appreciate the sounds of the countryside as well.

1)My favourite is the crunching of the small pebbles as I stride along a country road.
2) Second is the babbling brook on a forest walk
3) The sounds of farm animals is next with cockerels, geese,cows and sheep. I particularly like the old 'Yew' sheep calling to its lamb in a 'croaky' deep tone.The lamb running and bleating in its high pitched cry.
4) Away from main roads there are a variety of bird calls (no idea which bird they emanate from) but they are captivating.The only time I took notice of birdsong was when I was on my early morning paper round as  nipper. I was also a whistler and tried to copy the bird call resulting in me being better than an alarm clock for some......or so I was told!
5) Thunder is another sound I like and the pitter patter of rainfall or hail to go with it. How fresh the air feels after a thunderstorm.

I used to live close to Newcastle Airport so these sounds are a revelation to me, rather than the sound of planes taking off and landing.

Maybe age has something to do with it, I don't know, but I was never this appreciative from my late teens until now 

Have I missed any sounds worth listening to? Have I missed out on some gems?

 Smell also plays a part and I don't really mind the farmyard smells and the smell of wild garlic in the woods plus comb honey which is particularly appealing in the smell department.

I spotted these on ebay and thought I must have them. 


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174603181344?...Sw149gBzAY

I prefer small squash like these which can be served individually stuffed with whatever I fancy. I also like a bit of colour at the allotment.

So how many of you ladies would be happy if the other half came home and presented you with these gifts?

   

   

Second question what are they? Gentlemen you’re welcome to answer this one.

After thinking long and hard (no choice at my age), the winner is........................


Being announced later

Morning Folks

Does anyone know what is wrong with these leaves?

Background Info -  The tree is in a 50-60 litre container in my backyard, it's certainly had enough water these last few weeks! It was purchased last year in a patio set, other trees include cherry, apple, pear, and nectarine, none of which are showing similar issues.

TIA.....

       

I don't usually grow peas for podding - just mangetout - so I have a box full of old pea seeds.
In an attempt to clear out some of these oldies, I've sown:-

Lord Leicester (Real Seeds packed 2014)
Victorian Colossal (either Victoriana sow by 2012 or saved by Norfolk Grey 2014)
Telephone (Franchi, sow by 12/2015)
Ultra U (HSL 2012)
Ne Plus Ultra (HSL ?date)
Serpette Guillote (Real Seeds from Seed swap about 2012)

What are my chances of germination? I sowed them on May 5th.

The cottages I clean on a Saturday has a vase of fresh flowers every week. I’ve just brought home the old flowers 
Stocks, sweet William ( I think ) , roses and a yellow feathery thing ( no idea). I was going to try to take cuttings. What’s the chances?

   

It’s only the roses that are looking really sorry for them selves.

Please raise a glass with me today, to celebrate our first birthday

I have personally enjoyed every minute of our journey and whilst not the biggest, I think we would be hard pushed to find a happier place to talk about gardening and the trials and tribulations of life in general.

25000 posts and 3000 attachments and not once have we had to use Veggies pointy stick! Probably because she made most of them!!

Happy birthday  Garden and Gossip

We haven't played this for a while and, given that the seasons have moved on, let's do it again.
What can you see in your Garden/Plot beginning with A...........you know the game!! 
Starts tomorrow.

I'm guessing my hedge isn't thick enough or prickly enough to keep this pregnant doe out of the garden. She has just crossed a 2m wide by 1.5m deep ditch and then pushed through blackthorn, briar rose, bramble and bright blue binder twine!     

She is very fond of apple and pear leaves, fresh maple leaves but especially new rose shoots and aqualegia flowers. Very pretty but, like wild boar, roe numbers are rapidly increasing here and that isn't necessarily good for them; although we are surrounded by forest, it is dwindling which brings the deer and boar into more contact with people, traffic and loose dogs.