I got carried away with the camera yesterday.... each time another tree or bush comes into flower we go into proverbial raptures. It must be our age. This week we've been working really hard on the lawn - raking, levelling, adding topsoil (about 20 trailer loads so far), picking up stones. It's a big and overwhelming job, but we've had the help of some loyal friends and family. Not to mention my dads tractor and trailer. This morning we finally marked out the lawn and wild flower areas and got the seed into the ground. Now all we need is rain! If it doesn't happen we've invested in a sprinkler which can be attached to the borehole pipe.
This is the 'emergency' garden - everything that's about to be run over by a digger gets put here for survival until the house is finished...
A rhododendron, bluebells, and some Lankelly nasturtiums just coming up in the old chimney pot...
A rhododendron, bluebells, and some Lankelly nasturtiums just coming up in the old chimney pot...
The last bit of my windy woodland path has now been completed. It's edged with poplar logs from a tree that had to come down....
This little wren has made a nest inside the old stables...
All the trees are now in leaf - and all different colours.... Joyce (the previous owner) really did a good job with her planting. We've worked out what most of the trees are - acacia, gingko, eucalyptus, poplar, maple, etc but there are still a few mysteries.
We've done some tree surgery - with the help of a huge machine loaned by a friend of Ian's (the bigger the toy the bigger the boy)...
Ian also used it to single-handedly take the roof off the old lounge. The north wall has now been demolished and new footings put in, plus the hardcore base for the new floor. Concrete arrives on Tuesday, and the wall will then go up ready for the new roof.
We've put in zinc guttering - it's brilliant as it's completely maintenance free, lasts (allegedly) for 100 years, and is made in Britain from 100% recycled materials. Plus it matches the roof slates. I've just re-read this and marvel at my state of mind - I actually 'like' guttering? I need to get out more!!
Actually I am getting away - back to Wales for a couple of days to collect some plants. I can't wait to see it again, and the project. Something tells me it will look a lot greener and more hopeful than when we left. There's nothing like a sunny Spring to get people moving and growing. I feel very warm at the thought of being there again.
