Nettles

I think most people know that I love nature. I love being out in it. I love almost everything about it. I say almost, I’m not mad keen when nature fights back.

As it was a nice day, I thought I’d mow the lawns and have a bit of a tidy up of the borders. Great plan I hear you say…

This is me, so it wasn’t going to run smoothly. But even by my standards, I excelled myself. There were a few rather large nettles. No problem, I have protective gloves for them. Unfortunately, they don’t protect against ineptitude. I am now the proud owner of many stings. I peaked when I managed to pull one up and smack myself full in the face. I can confirm that flipping hurts!!

Bert tried to come to my rescue, but ended up taking me out with his cone. We’d been doing well with the body suit. Till he had an accident. I wasn’t quick enough with the fastenings (the clue is there). It needed to go in the wash. So we were back to the cone of shame. My legs are covered in scrapes and bruises from him bashing into me.

I managed to mow the back lawn after nearly falling over him several times. Then it was onto the front. Where a dog rose decided to attack me. Seriously?! They hurt too I can tell you.

Thankfully a full brown bin ended my gardening efforts and I headed to the yard. Buddy had excelled himself in the poo stakes. So that was fun!

Even though I covered him in fly spray, he spent the whole ride trying to get the flies off. There were so many today.

All in all, I’d say it was a draw between me and nature today. My face is really sore. Not as bruised as Bert’s Crown Jewels. He keeps rolling over to show me…

Late bloomer

How pretty is this rose? It’s almost glowing. The only issues is that it really shouldn’t be flowering right now. It’s so mild, I have lots of things coming back. My sweet peas have started to grow again.

Not that I’m complaining. My garden looks really pretty with lots of new growth. My lawn needs mowing. But it’s nearly November.

The weather feels as surreal as my life right now. So I’m grounding myself and focusing on the little things.

Agatha Christie

Finally got round to planting my rose, Agatha Christie. I’m hoping she’ll be very happy here.

I tried to put some wires up to train it against. Not sure I’ve done the best job so might need to rethink it. Maybe a trellis would be better.

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors. I’ve read so many of her books. I’ve watched lots of the films and TV series too. I loved Poirot, Miss Marple and Tommy & Tuppence.

How she came up with those plot lines was incredible? I’d loved to have met her to find out. She’d definitely be on my ultimate dinner party list.

Let’s hope the rose isn’t the subject of an untimely death…

Orangery

A new venue for me today. The Orangery Tea Room at Ketteringham Hall. Wow! Talk about stunning. I was so born in the wrong era?! I could imagine myself walking along the lake in some oversized dress. Very lady of the Manor. Oh who am I kidding?! I’d be on a horse somewhere probably breaking some rule or other. I definitely wouldn’t be below stairs. We know how good I am at cooking and cleaning. I’d be fired in a week!

I must admit, I was slightly nervous of going to an Orangery. The last thing I really wanted to do was eat in an oversized conservatory in the heat. Needn’t have worried, we were outside.

Lovely food, lovely company and very lovely setting.

I did end up in an oversized conservatory as I had time to kill between appointments. So I ended up popping onto the Rose Nursery. The smell was heady. Might have bought a new rose. Well it was called Agatha Christie. There’ll be no mystery where she ends up in my garden…

Diamond wishes

I bought this patio rose about a month ago. It’s exploded with blooms overnight. It smells divine too. I sat on the patio for my breakfast and lunch sniffing it.

It’s called ‘Diamond Wishes’. It had to be done for My Absolute Diamond, Buddy. Not sure pink is his colour though. Thankfully he probably won’t see it.

Buddy has made many of my wishes come true. My current wish is for him to continue to recover from his injury so we can get back to the things we love doing.

I think it’s very pretty indeed. I do love a rose. Well I am an English one.

Hot chocolate

It seems lots of things are benefitting from a bit of rain. Especially me. It was much clearer and cooler this morning after the downpour last night.

I could almost hear the plants rejoicing as I wandered round my garden. Amazing how one’s attitude to rain changes when you don’t get any! After weeks of bemoaning it, we’re back to craving it. We are so fickle…

The rose bush I was given to remember Tom and Nero was particularly happy today. So many blossoms and buds. It’s called hot chocolate as I wanted something to remind me of my beautiful black boys. As they both aged, they ended up being more brown and black. This rose has similar hues.

Both of the kittens have made nest either side of it in the border. I wonder if they know that it’s a cat’s rose.

First blooms

I spotted the first bud has started to open on one of my roses. Popped out to take this photo to hear the distant sound of thunder. It didn’t take long to hit. And boy did it hit! Another corker of a thunderstorm.

Now you know I love a thunderstorm. And I’m also culinarily challenged. It seems the two are now linked as I’d put my dinner in the oven before heading to the conservatory to watch the thunderstorm.

When I returned to check my dinner, the oven was off. The power has gone off briefly and I hadn’t realised. My dinner was still raw.

So I got longer to watch the storm while I waited. Again.

Roses are red

Took Katie over to Peter Beales Roses for a spot of lunch and a wander round the rose garden. Saw this sign hidden away. It’s very true for me. Roses are my favourite flowers.

They’re so versatile and give colour all years rounds. There were lots that had gone over but I still find the hips beautiful.

I’m an English Rose. And I’m pretty versatile. I’ll let you decide if I give colour all year round.

Snow White

I spotted that this little rose is flowering again. It’s called Snow White. It’s tiny but the flowers are so pretty.

Not sure when it should be flowering as it seems to come and go all year. It could be cause it’s been so mild. Hope the frosts and cold weather don’t affect it.

It won’t be long till the snowdrops start popping their heads up. Mother Nature is simply amazing.