Bressingham

Today Colette took me to Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens for my birthday outing. It’s become a bit of a tradition now to visit a garden for our birthdays. Thankfully there are lots of gardens for us to visit locally.

First trip here for both of us. I’ve seen the sign on the A140 as I’ve been driving past. It’s a lovely place to stop at.

The gardens were stunning. Very varied and lots to admire. We walked over 2 miles round them. Then we popped into the museum. They had a train carriage where they used to sort the post. And a Dad’s Army section with lots of memorabilia from the show. It took me back to my childhood growing up watching the show.

I love it when you find a gem of a place to visit.

Snooper

As I was on the phone today, I watched this little chap wander across the garden. He stopped a few times snooping around. Very brave of him. Having said that, Dodo was asleep in the conservatory with me. And Hugo was galavanting.

Little things like this make me happy I live in the countryside.

Camp hangover

So yesterday my body ached. Today it was my brain! I woke up feeling decidedly fuzzy. A friend summed it up perfectly – a camp hangover!

Still got the last of the laundry done and dry. Honestly, going away to camp is like going on holiday with a toddler. So much stuff!

It was a lovely day, so I had lunch in the garden. Hugo had made a nest in the border. Every time I tried to get a photo, he came to see me. Not quite the idea.

On the other hand, Dodo was in full pose mode. He’s so handsome. Though I wasn’t quite so keen on him when he brought a mouse in the house. Thankfully for me, it was dead. Not so good for the mouse I grant you.

Now that I’ve cleared up after camp. It’s time to start packing for Champs. At least I’m not competing till Sunday so we can get there at a leisurely pace tomorrow. Fingers crossed everyone!

Striding

Well my day went sideward this morning. I had planned to be inspired at Burnham Market Horse Trails, but sadly the competitions were abandoned. Something made me check before I left. Grateful I did. But given I was woken up at 3am by torrential rain, it was hardly a surprise.

With a totally free day, I decided to have a house / garden day instead. I got two loads of washing out on the line. And spend a few very productive hours in the garden. I need a good few more out there though.

Finally I took Buddy out for a long hack in the sunshine. Someone was striding out today. He’s obviously feeling very well at the moment. Best view in the world.

I’m now going to Burnham Market tomorrow instead. So I will get my eventing inspiration after all.

Ferdinand

I thought I’d go and take a photo of the pretty hellebore in my garden. Hugo came to help. He kept getting in front of the flower and sniffing it. He so reminds me of Ferdinand the Bull. I often find him in the borders sniffing the flowers.

It was so lovely to be able to go out in the garden in the light when I got back from peopling. The nights are drawing out for sure. It’s amazing how much people’s moods have been lifted by the sunshine. Almost everyone who came in today commented on it.

We’re a bit like plants really. We need feeding, watering and a bit of sunshine. Simple really.

Snowdrops

This is a sight that makes my heart sing. Or should that be spring? It’s definitely round the corner

I love it when the bulbs start coming up. It reminds me that nature will out. I know I’ve lost a few bits in the garden after the false Autumn and hard frosts. Things got very confused (as did I!)! It’ll be interesting to see what comes back.

The only downside is that it means I really, really need to get out in the garden and start tidying up. I need a few more hours in the day at the moment. Thankfully the nights are drawing out so I will get my wish soon.

Lapdogs

My dog sitting duties are over. They were exceptionally well behaved. Took them out for an early walk to beat the heat. Thankfully there was a cooling breeze as it’s been a tad warm again.

I was at a bit of a loose end this morning. I felt very decadent as I had nothing to do. So the dogs and I watched a film called ‘The Sea Beast’. It was an animation and really sweet.

When I got home, I pottered in the garden for a bit (before I got too hot). Then went and gave Buddy a bath (and I didn’t mind getting sprayed too).

Undergrowth

I woke up on a mission. I’d stripped the bed, changed the bedding, washed the bedding, hoovered and cleaned before 9am!!

Then I hit the laptop. I got a bit distracted by a weird noise outside. At first I thought it was a bird. Then I thought I’d landed in a Hammer House of Horror film as all I could hear was creaking.

You know when you hear a noise. Then you can’t stop hearing said noise. So I headed into the garden to try and work out what it was. Few minutes later, I realised it was the overgrown buddleja rubbing on the fence.

Cue me diving into the undergrowth with the loppers like Lara Croft! Of course I took the more challenging route to get in. And found a fuchsia that I didn’t know I had. Also got smacked in the face by a few branches.

Might have got a bit carried away. So I now have a full brown bin and no more creaking.

I may have peaked too early this week…

Chair claimers

After feeling unsettled yesterday, today I felt the need to be productive. As the weather was OK, I headed to the garden.

Mowed both lawns and several hours of weeding later, it looking much better.

The kittens are loving the new lorry chairs I was gifted. I washed them and put them out to dry. Think they’ve definitely been claimed!

Cottage garden

I‘m a big fan of a cottage garden. But never felt like I was a good enough gardener to achieve it. Today as I walked out of the conservatory, I felt like I’d achieved it a bit.

It’s looking really good at the moment. The geranium is glowing and such a vibrant colour. And the foxgloves are massive this year.

It makes me smile every time I look at it.