This is a woodpecker which I managed to snap from my bedroom window, though even when I am indoors he senses the slightest movement and darts away.
The housemartins are not so shy and continually dart from under the eves of my house, returning year after year.
When I moved from the farmhouse I was supposed to be retired -except for writing novels of course. I didn't think I would want a vegetable garden with only me to tend it and eat the produce. However I missed the fresh vegeatbles and, being diabetic, they are good for me. Here are some of my vegetables in assorted pots. My runner beans are just off the picture beside a trellis. I like my potatoes in large pots so that I only need to use a few at a time. I am pleased with my leeks, carrots and onions as I use a lot of them for soup in colder weather. The large pot - almost a raised bed - was a re-cylced container which my son cut into sections. Next year I may try another as my cauliflower and broccoli are doing well. I also have three large containers of strawberries so that one is replanted each year in rotation. In the corner of my bordes I have a Victoria plum tree with rhubarb beneath. The blossom was early this year and spoiled by a very cold spell, but I also have a small apple tree and it has set a good crop so far. I have a loganberry and a few raspberries canes, while my conservatory has helped me keep myself in summer tomatoes for the past few years.
The book below is fiction but it gives a good account of farmlife during the first world war.
Family at Fairlyden is free to download from Amazon on Sunday and Monday June 10 & 11th. Follow this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Family-Fairlyden-Series-ebook/dp/B00845UK30/
Gwen - that's fantastic how self-sufficient you are with your vegetable and fruit garden. I love that idea and would like to try growing a few edibles. Lovely photos. And thank you for the download - it's now on my kindle!
ReplyDeleteRosemary I wouldn't say self sufficient exactly but I enjoy growing things - can't throw away cuttings and have far too many geraniums.I would be unable to do the necessary digging in a proper vegeatble garden now but the pots are a compromise. I forgot to mention the lovely yellow flowers on my courgettes(the slugs ate two!), and my blueberry, new last year.
ReplyDeleteGwen - I'm so impressed. I'm not particularly green-fingered, but I have a great admiration for anyone who is. Lovely photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you Joan. I think it's more "mucky hands" than green fingers. I always liked making mud pies as a child!
ReplyDeleteHow impressive,Gwen!The only crop I've ever tried was potatoes,but I might be inspired!
ReplyDeleteWell early potatoes straight from the plant are lovely, Myra. If you do have a bit of variety and something is disappointing, then usually somehting else makes up by surprising you.
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely garden. I wish it was mine!
ReplyDeleteGill the main thing is to enjoy your leaisure and I'm sure your boys have spent many happy hours in their home surroundings. At the farm we inherited two old trees and I have a photo of one member of my family ( who shall be nameless) hanging upside down in it like a monkey, amongst other things.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm a newcomer to your books and am eagerly awaiting reading the first one. Just found your blog too and you have inspired me to do a fall planting in MY pots and raised beds!! Thanks so much! Roz in Oklahoma
ReplyDeleteHello Roz - I am pleased to meet you on here. Your comment has prodded me into life and I must do more blogging. I am very poor at this, but I do enjoy my writing. Some of my early romances are short and easily read and available on Amazon and Smashwords quite cheaply. So far I just have a series of 4 family sagas as digital books but hope to have another four soon. I do enjoy my garden but in SW Scotland we have had the wettest summer for 100 years and it makes everything difficult. Do keep in touch and best wishes with your own beds and pots.
ReplyDeleteOh, A rainy summer!!! Here in Oklahoma we're in the middle of a serious drought and horrid heat--many days over a hundred degrees (fahrenheit,don't know what it is celsius) and some days were 113. Even watering daily didn't help the plants too much. We've even had wildfires and many homes destroyed. I know too much rain is bad too. This weather is just getting crazier and crazier!! I'm hoping the autumn is much nicer to my "fall crop".
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about blogs, I have one--had to start one as part of training for my job at a library 2 or 3 years ago. Blogged fairly well for a short while and then nothing for a LONG time.
Am enjoying your book, "Dreams of Home"--and will be recommending it to many of my library patrons. It's just a perfect read and I can't wait to read more of your books. I can't believe I'm just now "finding" them!
Roz
Good morning Roz - at least it is morning here. Thank you for your comment. I find it tremendously interesting reading about conditions in your part of the world and you make me thankful for our climate - even if we do grumble about the rain. We saw forest fires on TV and they look so frightening. I could not stand such high temperatures.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate your opinion on Dreams of Home, especially as a librarian with a wide choice of books. One good thing about digital books is that my earlier novels will still be available and in more countries - but that may not be good for libraries? Not sure about that yet. We value our UK libraries so would not like to put them out of business.