Winters knocking at my door........

Where did summer go.......when butterflies danced.......

and the bees came to join them.

I think of dear Polly running across the lawn........

and Poppi picking apples for the first time.....I smile......

Autumn bought mists and spiders to the garden........leaving amazing artwork.

I look at the seed heads as I stroll the garden.........

and think how charming they are.........

Camomile has reseeded in a crack in the pavement and is sheltered by the house....she has been blooming for weeks.......

A solitary bloom defies the cold.........




this little bloom does not.....and wears her new hat and scarf, that a dear friend so kindly made..........Your days are numbered Ratty....there is a fox hunting in the garden.....he has taken two rabbits this week. Ratty is living in the copse along with the rabbits. He comes out when I take the seed in for the birds.........hasn't he got beautiful eyes........

A treecreeper teased me.......staying at the top of the mature oak........you can just see her image........blurry but she made a visit.........I am honoured that she did......

It is wet and cold today.......the sort of cold that reaches your bones. The garden is boggy........the ditches are full of water and wildlife ponds are full. Winter is just around the corner...........

A year of blogging and Great Grandma.......

I missed my blogaversary.......it was the 5th November......I completely forgot........you must have guessed by now, I am going to continue blogging. The main reason for doing so, is to keep a record for my grandchildren.....I want them to know the real me.......the things I care about. Above are some of my great grandmothers treasures.......as you know she lived to 95 and was an elegant and warm lady. She loved to take afternoon tea, walk in the countryside, and sit amongst the roses in the garden. I have a poetry book that she loved. Many of the poems are simple......but sometimes that says a lot more than complicated writings. The following is written by Bee McMullen and is called Gods Highway.......

Some people pass through this wonderful world,

And never look up at the sky;

It's nothing to them that the larks sing there,

While the great white clouds sail by.

It's nothing to them that millions of stars,

Weave a silver web at night.

They do not know of the hush that falls,

When the dawn gives birth to light.

Oh, pity the people with all your heart

Who never look up at the sky.

So many beautiful sights they miss,

As the pageant of God goes by.

I just wanted to say thank you to all bloggers that visit.....I have made many friendships and have been shown so much kindness........If I stopped blogging I would miss the connection I have with so many.......so I look forward to the next year with you all and wonder what indeed it holds.......I wait with anticipation..........

Trip to the garden centre.......

Bright sunny day, so first thing I went to the garden centre. I purchased some lovely plants for the woodland walk. Skimmia Japonica is a personal favourite and I think it looks lovely in a natural setting.......

Woodland primroses were another buy........I have dotted them right the way along the pathway........

My final purchase, some beautiful English Hellebores........they do very well here, and are perfect in a woodland setting........

I scattered some seed near to where I was working, in the hope of attracting some birds. Much to my surprise and pleasure the Dunnock came.......he sat watching me for several minutes.......he wasn't brave enough to take any seed..........

Much to my amazement ratty rat appeared. I surprised myself when I started thinking how cute his face is and how clean they are. He took some seed and fled. I have been reading up on rats......they are not as bad as we think.....as long as they stay away from the house..........At the close of day the heron flew over.........he flies over the garden most afternoons to get to the wildlife pond in the field opposite the house. I hope he found some supper......I love these birds.......

Busy Day......

Poppi and I have had a really busy day...........

we have both been working very hard.......

We have been edging the pathway through the woodland walk, with lengths of beautiful silver birch.........

We have also made several log piles.......for the little creatures to hide in........

or perhaps the odd fairy........

or two.........The trees have done well........conifers......

pines, beech and holly have put on good and healthy growth........

I underplanted with woodland species.........ferns......

pulmonaria, and hellebores.....the one above is already showing bud formation.........

Bamboo also adds to the scene......I planted them in large oak tubs, and they have grown to dizzy heights. They sound beautiful when the wind gently touches them. Although they are not native plants, they add an elegance and charm to this woodland area. I intend to go to the garden centre tomorrow and add some more plants to the woodland floor. Its been a good day....thank you Poppi for all your help.........

Bumbles.......

I have been working in the garden for the last four days and have had regular visits from this very large bumblebee...........

she is attracted to the Mahonia flowers.........and her sweet humming was pleasant company.........what a joy for me to have them back in the garden......

I know that I keep singing the praises of Mahonia Charity but it is wonderful for the insects, that have come out of hibernation, due to the milder weather. I have seen honey bees, wasps and bumbles on it over the last few days.

As the day came to a close she was still working away.......perhaps she has a nest not far away from the shrub........I hope so, she needs to get back to her nest, as the air was beginning to chill. As for me,time to go in, I am making lots of plans for the garden.....larger beds.........more winter flowering shrubs.........and definately more wild flowers. I always feel energised this time of year, cooler weather suits me. Must go, lots of planning to do........hope you all had a great weekend.........

At last the sun came out......

Whilst clearing debris in the garden today, a bird of prey whistled by me chasing a blue tit.......it did not catch its intended victim and flew into a tree at the end of the woodland walk..........it stayed for a few seconds and flew away........this is not a good image, I did not have time to focus properly but I think it is a male sparrowhawk.............so exciting.........

I am slowly learning how to use this camera.....it still foxes me sometimes.....the robin loves to pose and is very accommodating.......

The blue tits also seem to be getting used to the woman creeping around with camera in hand......

I was so pleased with this shot........I really like the composition.......and the great tit is a delightful little bird.......

This is a female chaffinch.......very shy little birds.....I am going to have to be patient to get a really good photograph.....the male bird is stunning..........

Again I loved this photograph.....the sparrow is a cheeky bird......he is much loved by Londoners.......and that is my birth place, so they will always have a place in my heart.......

As I looked towards the sparrow nesting box today.......much to my surprise a rat peeked out.....fortunately they do not frighten me.......he has left now and gone on his merry way......no doubt he will turn up again.......

And to close this post.......as I walked back towards the house at the close of the afternoon, I looked up to see our resident squirrel sitting above her drey..........she was soaking up the last of the days sunshine........

It really has been a pleasure for me to show you the wildlife that comes and goes here..........and I am beginning to love my camera.....tks Mr P...........