Grindstone

The only problem with having a few days off is that feeling of nose back to the grindstone when Monday comes around again. Still there are small things to lift the spirit, like the garden being momentarily  taken over by long tailed tits, cheeping and chattering like a party of excited school children, they always seem to enjoy life so much! Well today is Halloween but I've not had time to prepare any pumpkin lanterns or decorate the door as I have in previous years.For once I find the prospect of having to answer the door to various ghouls and witches quite horrifying, especially after a long working day at NC, I wonder if I can bribe the teenager to do it for me?

"From ghoulies and ghosties and long legged beasties and things that go bump in the night, good lord deliver us!"
Scottish saying

A Pocket Full Of Ammonites

We've had a really full day today and have been out in the fresh air for most of it. Our first activity was taking Chum for a really long walk at Flatts Lane country park, I was hunting for a particular fungus there so if you are of a delicate disposition look away now! This is the very phallic looking stinkhorn, luckily we all have colds so couldn't smell it! Then we made our way back to Redcar beach and found so many ammonites we filled our pockets with them. I call that a very successful day. No more blogging this week folks as we go home tomorrow and I must catch up with the washing and you wont want to read about that! Back on Monday.

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished"

Lao Tzu

Wet Socks

After a tempestuous night by the sea with torrential rain, thunder and lightening, Wednesday morning dawned bright and soon turned into the sort of day that you don't often get at the end of October. We rose late after a night of quizzing, even the kids stayed in bed until 10am, but we were soon lured out by the promise of a bracing walk along Sandsend beach. The waves were spectacular and since Dave and I didn't have wellies on we left the kids paddling whilst we wandered further along the beach with Chum. A feeling of peace and contentment descended which was only spoilt when we turned around to spot the boy clowning around and obviously getting wet. Upon closer inspection we discovered he was soaked, somewhat annoyed I remarked that we were supposed to be walking around Whitby next, he professed total nonchalance about being uncomfortable and said he would be ok. Every step he took I could hear the water swishing back and forth in his wellies! I had hoped that the days of taking a spare set of clothing with us where ever we went were long gone, but I now realise that logic simply doesn't apply to George, we bought him a new, dry pair of tracksuit pants and socks as soon as we got into Whitby and carried on with our day!

"God created boys, full of spirit and fun, to explore and conquer, to romp and run"

Anon

Foraging For Fossils

Up very early this am on account of being worried about Chumdog holding on in a strange cottage. Whizzed him down to the beach in the dark and only looked at my watch when I got back, 4.30am, so I went back to bed only to have to do it all again a couple of hours later! As soon as the son emerged at breakfast time I busied myself making a bacon and sausage growler, this didn't go unnoticed by Chum who quickly took advantage of the sons momentarily unguarded sandwich and finished it off for him, normal sort of morning really! Later we all piled into the car on route to Middlesborough to do some shopping, but first we stopped to stretch Chum's legs on Redcar beach. We were surprised to find the water beautifully clear in the rock pools, George spotted a decent sized starfish and then found this exquisite little fossil. Chum really enjoyed splashing in all the puddles too, so we've decided to pay it a longer visit on another day before we go home.

"After a visit to the beach it's hard to believe that we live in a material world"

Pam Shaw

Salty Sea Dog

Yes I know I've already blogged today but down in the village of Staithes internet access hasn't caught up with the rest of the world yet, so whilst we are here I will blog in the evenings using the pubs wifi. After packing almost the entire house plus the the dog into the car we set off at about 10am and made straight for Saltburn for a long walk. Chum couldn't believe his luck to be at the beach again, I swear he was grinning from ear to ear, mind you we all felt the same, it was good to blow some cobwebs away. Chums excitement didn't fade when we took our first look around Safe Harbour a lovely fisherman's cottage conveniently situated across the road from The Royal George! He joyfully discovered each bedroom in turn until we found the stair gate to keep him out, dogs aren't allowed in the bedrooms in our house! Yet another walk followed and then we gave him his tea, hopefully he will settle down for the evening soon. Here are some of the best pics from today, I really like the Dunsley cottage one because that's definitely a chumdog on there!

"We are tied to the ocean, and when we go back to the sea whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came"

J F Kennedy

Harvest Half Term

Phew what a busy few days! On Friday Mum, Fran and I took a rare opportunity to walk around Harlow Carr and admire the autumn colours, we especially enjoyed the little display in the summerhouse. At the old bath house we had a sneak preview of the apple festival display as I'm a member of the Northern Fruit Group, it was nice to be able to introduce my family to Diana who was helping to set up the exhibition. Every single apple group in the picture is a different variety and they stretch all around the room. If you have the chance it is well worth a visit this half term and the room smells heavenly! Lunch at Bettys followed of course which made it a very pleasurable outing, it's just a shame we don't manage to do it more often. Norton Conyers was again bathed in sunshine on Saturday which made the task of tying in the raspberry canes very enjoyable, far easier in the warmth than if you have to do it with frozen stiff fingers! The garden was looking so enchanting I took some more pictures to share with you all. Dave picked me up at 4 o'clock and whizzed me home for a quick shower and then we journeyed to the Milton's house in North Ferriby where an evening of live music and good food followed. Many thanks for your hospitality guys and good luck with your new venture, I'll plug it on the blog when you're up and running! Now we are off to the east coast for a few days breathing space so for the rest of the week P&C will be bringing you sultry seascapes!

""one red leaf the last of it's clan, that dances as often as dance it can, hanging so light and hanging so high, on the topmost twig that looks up at the sky"
Samuel Taylor Coleridge

If You Go Down To The Woods Today

I was up early and out walking Chum yesterday morning, I enjoy it when it's just the two of us down by the river, me rummaging around in the undergrowth looking for mushrooms and Chum enjoying all the new smells and having a dip even on a cool morning like that. Our peace didn't last long however as a red gold streak nearly knocked me flying and proceeded to roll Chum over and over in the mud. You've guessed , it was Mad Paddy Padster who had picked up our scent half a mile away and abandoning his mistress had gone in search of his best friend. I waited for Fran to catch up and as it was such a beautiful day we took a longer walk than normal. I'm glad we did as I spotted this beauty, it's one of the Russulas aptly called The Sickener, if the name doesn't put you off eating one the colour certainly should, red means danger! The other specimen is a member of the Amanita family called The Blusher, the first one I've seen so I'm pleased even if it is a bit nibbled.

"Nature red in tooth and claw"
Alfred Lord Tennyson

Putting The Garden To Bed

Although cold, Wednesday dawned bright and sunny making me think back over the time I've been helping Diana and Brian with their garden, we have been very lucky with the weather. I can only recall two Wednesdays that have been wet since I started back in April, not bad going really but I suspect that wont be the case for much longer. Anyway we continued with general tidying up, what I call putting the garden to bed, composting the last rather tatty carrots, pulling up the runner beans and courgette plants and giving the raised beds a really good tidy. Diana pruned the blackberry and then we both trimmed the Lonicera hedge. From now on our efforts will be concentrated on rejuvenating the ornamental borders and winter pruning in the orchard. I must just mention a most amazing tree I encountered at Harlow on Tuesday, the Katsura tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum, superb autumn colour and the decaying foliage smells just like burnt toffee, yes really! Very apt for the run up to bonfire night.

"No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face"
John Donne

Enchanting earthstars

A really cold wind blew us into Tuesday, a marked change with temperatures from the north, we sat and watched the sleety rain from the moderate comfort of the classroom in the Bramall centre. More photosynthesis and respiration study followed, culminating in a group exercise where we had to produce a diagram showing all we had learned in our first half term. Thank goodness we had Hannah on our team with her brilliant drawing skills, I think we managed to come up with something really good, see right. Lunchtime saw Trisha, Hannah and myself off on our usual fungi forage, Harlow Carr seems to have many varied habitats and consequently many different types of toadstool. The days prize finds were these trooping funnel caps, I've left Trish and my fingers in the shot so you can gauge the size, and a first for me a group of beautiful collared earthstars, uncommon enough for me to be excited by the sight of them!

"The days are cold, the nights are long, the north wind sings a doleful song"
Dorothy Wordsworth

Apples again!

Just when I thought I couldn't stomach another day of apples Giles came up trumps with another few hours of apple harvesting first thing Monday morning. It wasn't so bad though as these apples were destined to be sold to the lady who makes juice and jelly, meaning that as they all go into a big press it didn't really matter if they were a bit bruised, so the Giles Gilbey method of picking was used. He simply climbed into each tree and gave it several vigorous shakes sending us diving for cover as the fruit rained down! We picked up 62 crates full before morning tea break and all that from just three trees! Then it was back to the spring border which truth to tell we are all heartily sick of but which we have at last finished hurrah! After lunch we started to prune the raspberry canes, the three rows of summer fruiting have the old wood cut out and this seasons growth left in to bear next years fruit, the tying in is going to be a long job, probably Saturdays task. the autumn fruiting raspberries are a lot simpler to deal with, you just cut down the whole lot. So that was another day at NC over, I think I'm starting to build up my stamina now as I don't feel quite so tired, I might even make the 10 O'clock news tonight!

"We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest"
Orison Swett Marden

The Beast

Saturday got off to a flying start with a magnificent sunrise which had the promise of a beautiful day, I tried to capture it from the top deck of the bus and am quite pleased with the results. It was a bit nippy early on with the first touch of frost this season, but nature didn't let us down and the day became steadily warmer making me peel different layers off around the garden as the morning continued. We started in the greenhouse by picking the remaining tomatoes and removing the spent vines, this created enough space to bring in all the hardy perennials from the plant sales area to overwinter. Then I had my first master-class in grass cutting, no big deal you might think but the petrol mower is a bit of a beast and quite far removed from my little hand push at home. At first it was a bit scary, running away with me at the slightest touch, but after a few practice rows I did manage to carry on and cut all the edges in the garden whilst Nikki zoomed around the large areas on the tractor. My feelings of elation were somewhat dampened on Sunday morning however when all the exertion resulted in a pair of very stiff arms due to the weight of the beast, but I shall have to get used to it as I'll probably be doing it every week next summer!

"I saw old autumn in the misty morn stand shadowless like silence listening to silence"
Thomas Hood

The Wheel

Catch up day soon came around again this week and not a moment too soon looking at the state of the house. By the time I'd changed all the beds, walked Chum, seen to all the little jobs like making phone calls and ordering school photos, it was 11o'clock and I still hadn't started on my homework. It was quite an enjoyable task though, familiarising myself with the colour wheel and the combinations of plantings that can be arranged around it. I've decided to put it on the blog as nothing else of interest presented itself, no fungi or wildlife sightings to report, just an awful lot of mud. By the way I do apologise for the spelling error on the second piece, but it is only for my own use after all, thank goodness for spell check on Blogger! I actually managed to stay awake long enough to catch the weather forecast last night and it looks like we shall have a decent weekend again, I really must get out into my own garden and cut the hedge, hopefully for the last time this year! Have a good one whatever you are all doing, until Monday.......

"Why do two colours put one next to the other sing? Can one really explain this? No, just as one can never learn how to paint"
Pablo Picasso

"I cannot pretend to be impartial about colours. I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns"
Winston Churchill

Traffic Black Spot Of The Universe!

What a wet and dreary day it was yesterday, I strongly suspected that no gardening would tale place at Spofforth, still I went anyway as I secretly hope that Diana and Brian would miss me if I didn't go. We took the opportunity to catch up with a few gardening topics we wished to discuss whilst the rain beat steadily  down on the conservatory roof. At about midday it started to brighten up a little so we wandered outside and planted the last two apple trees in the orchard, cutting through the turf and digging each a decent hole. At first I was feeling cold, that hasn't happened for a while, but we soon warmed up with the work and the glow of seeing a job through to it's fruition. By the time we had eaten lunch it was time for me to leave due to our late start, but I almost wish I'd stayed working because it took me nearly two hours to get home. Most of the time was spent waiting for inefficient buses or stuck in traffic, surely no where else in the universe has such abysmal traffic management as Harrogate!!

"Patience is something we admire in the driver behind us and scorn in the one ahead"
Mac McCleary

Pics- just a couple of views of the garden at Spofforth, please forgive the first, with its shiny reflection but it is a photo of a photo that Brian took from the upstairs of the house, you can see the orchard at the very end of the garden running down to the beck. Then just a snap of the beck itself, rising fast with all this rain, I hope it doesn't flood the garden this year as it has done in the past.


Just to let you know Blogger have introduced a new method of viewing any photos, if you click on a picture you will be able to see a better image enhanced by a light box, I think it looks great!

A Distaste For Design

I'm going to have a bit of a rant today about surveying and being a garden designer, I most certainly am not going to become one. I'd rather stuff my head with the hardest botany than try and make sense of the subject. Before you can even get down to the nitty gritty of plants and how you wish to use them the site survey must be done. This seems to entail measuring things using badly remembered trigonometry, worrying about drains and elevations, and worst of all dealing with customers who will try and short change you at every turn whilst giving you as little useful information as possible, believe me after nearly ten years working in a supermarket I've had a belly full of customers! Admittedly this is the direction in which the money lies but it sounds stressful to me, I'm afraid I wish to pursue a happier if impoverished life pottering about with what really matters, the plants themselves! thank goodness it is only one small part of the course, if I memorise the bare bones I should scrape through the module!

"There is no design without discipline. There is no discipline without intelligence"
Massimo Vignelli

Ladybird Ladybird Fly Away Home

I left the house with trepidation on Monday at 7.10am, leaving the children in charge of getting themselves off to school without losing the dog or burning the house down, Dave having been given a day pass to go on a jolly to Staithes the day before. I'm pleased to say nothing untoward occurred so I could get stuck in to the days gardening with gusto. Initially the weather was wet and blustery so Giles gave us a cushy number picking peppers in the peach house, but the bullet had to be bitten eventually and we trouped out to the peony border to survey the amount of tidying up ahead of us. That pretty much took care of the rest of the day, as once strimmed, we gathered armfuls of debris for the ever enlarging compost heap, and then tackled de-tangling nettle and bramble roots from amongst the peonies. Unfortunately most of the ladybirds of North Yorkshire had decided to hibernate amongst the plants and it wasn't long before we were covered head to foot with them, I haven't seen so many since that summer back in the seventies when people were sweeping them into piles in the streets, the image above isn't mine I'm afraid but you get my drift!
Best plant discovery yesterday-Lotus hirsustus, nice hairy silver grey leaves, pea-like flowers in summer and ovoid reddish brown seed pods in autumn.
"Ladybugs all dressed in red strolling through the flower bed. If I were tiny just like you, I'd creep among the flowers too"
Maria Fleming

Pics-late season colour on the cut flower border, and gateways and vistas no'4

Autumn Tidy Up Continues

My second Saturday at NC couldn't have been more different weather wise, it was quite cold early on and I was beginning to regret not putting a long sleeved top on, until we started work that is when I soon warmed up! The first task of the day was clearing the peach house border, many of the plants needed thinning or putting else where. It was a great opportunity to learn the names of a few more specimens, my favourite being Parahebe perfoliata which is a sub shrub with glaucous leaves which surround the stem and produces sprays of blue flowers in spring, an AGM it is a fine looking thing! The only downside to the morning were the midges which drove us mad biting us through our hair, so when the rain came it was almost a relief. We continued with the autumn clear up after lunch in the spring border, steadily removing the weeds and the rotting apples which had fallen from the tree above, the sweet sickly stench is something I don't think I will ever forget. When four o' clock came I was damp, muddy and tired but surprisingly still in love with gardening!

"From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity"
Edvard Munch

Autumn Walk

Just a short post today folks, as I've run out of energy and inspiration. What a dramatic change in the weather from the start of the week, we must have dropped ten degrees at least. On our walk yesterday Chum and I got buffeted by the wind and then soaked by heavy squalls, it was the sort of day when you get a rainbow every five minutes. By the way Chum is well and truly in the doghouse for raiding the bin bag and devouring three stale cheese muffins yesterday tea time, needless to say he didn't get any dinner after that lot so now thinks that nobody loves him any more! Never mind it's Friday which means the supermarket trip and he always gets a pigs ear after that!). If there were any fungi to be found we didn't see them as all of a sudden the ground is covered by a thick layer of leaves and nuts, all we need now is the first frost and it will really feel like autumn. We took delivery of a load of logs late yesterday so let the weather do what it will!

"Bitter-sweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter"
Carol Bishop Hipps

An Apple A Day

After weeks of planning it was finally time to plant Diana's grafted apple trees on Wednesday. Luckily we were blessed with a fine day so the soil was nice ans light for me to lift as I am chief digger! Di sorted through her stock setting aside any promised to other people and those she has decided to plant into the bottom orchard, we will probably plant those next week. She chose eight good looking trees for us to plant next to the new fence and we proceeded to settle them into their new home. It was hard work, but very satisfying to see them in place. Brian got busy making rabbit protection but it will probably take him a while to finish, he is nearly ninety after all! Here are the varieties that went in.
Sturma pippin-A Victorian dessert with good keeping qualities.
Braeburn hilwell-A commercial dessert from New Zealand.
Norfolk honey russet-a dessert with a good sweet flavour
Rosemary russet-I couldn't find anything out about this one!
Ashmeads kernel-A very old apple with a drab appearance but a pear drop flavour.
Chivers delight-A dessert sweet juicy and crunchy.
Annie Elizabeth- A culinary apple which keeps its shape when cooked.
Gascoynes scarlet-A dessert which produces a pink juice.
May they thrive and produce many apples!

"The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The next best time is now.
Chinese proverb

Dave spotted this last scene, it makes a lovely picture, I have entitled it 'Retired'!

AWOL

It was a bit of a shock to walk into class and find a lady sitting in Richard's place yesterday morning. Her name was Jo and she had come to the rescue because Richard had a cold and lost his voice, despite being retired and having just moved into her new home which is mid renovation, she had stepped in for us so we didn't have to miss a lesson-very nice of her. She carried on with the garden design theme covering site analysis and design considerations, showing us the symbols to use when we make plans of our own. She also gave us a little shopping list (it's amazing how many things I've found I just can't live without since staring this course!), circle template, flexi ruler, coloured pencils. geometry set and pigment liners, apparently this is all we need to to become garden designers, although I have a feeling that there is a lot more to it than that!
Pics-Just a couple of beautiful autumn coloured plants from Harlow Carr.

"In garden arrangement as in all other kinds of decorative work, one has not only to acquire the knowledge of what to do, but also to gain some wisdom in perceiving what is well to let alone"

Gertrude Jekyll