Merry Christmas Everyone

We had a merry morning on Thursday, firstly we had to collect the material for our annual wreath making, a good excuse to tramp around the woods looking for pine cones and other festive greenery. We spent the rest of the time before the Christmas party being creative, it is amazing what you can achieve even if you are terminally cack handed like me! Once you have the knack of weaving the willow stems into a circle the rest is just pushing foliage into the gaps and you can have a surprisingly professional looking end product.
Alyson then came up with the idea of hanging rose hips off the left over stems to create a Christmas tree, along with tiny lemons they look really effective. So suitably festive we had our party, all the estate volunteers and workers feasted on hot sausage rolls, mince pies and mulled wine, including Shandy who had her own made up in a special parcel. Well that's it now for another year, we are heading to the charming sea-side village of Staithes for our festive break and wish you a very merry Christmas from all of us at Norton Conyers, see you in the new year!
"The earth has grown old with its burden of care, but at Christmas it is always young"
Phillip Brooks

That's all for this year folks!

Shortening Daylight

The light is unmistakeably that of December now. We are treated to sunny mornings with occasional showers, the bricks of the garden wall glow with a comforting hue, and the red willow stems light up like fire in contrast.. As the day draws on we are more and more aware of just how short they have become, in fact all of us can tell the time by the light, especially when it turns three o' clock and the sun begins to sink. Then we might be treated to a pink and grey sky as tempting as candy-floss, which mesmerises us as it is reflected in the pond. Thursday is my last day in the garden before Christmas and we shall be making wreathes and making merry!

"Drink deep or be careful how you taste this December vintage. The first sip may chill, but a full draught warms and invigorates"
John Burroughs

Festive Musings

I found this collection of hibernating ladybirds the other morning and couldn't resist sharing them with you. Does anyone know what the collective noun for them is? Perhaps it should be a Santa Claus because of their festive colours! It amuses me that they are all jumbled up together despite being different types, there is obviously safety in numbers against the winter no matter what you look like, maybe the human race could learn a thing or two from nature as always.
Meanwhile back in the garden we only have the main border left to dig through now, so should be finished in time for Christmas.

I wonder if it is a coincidence that nature colours so many things red at this time of year, robins, holly berries, the evening sky and the stems of many plants. I think perhaps it is a reminder to us that winter is a necessary season but will soon pass. It certainly makes for wonderful photography.

"Red is the ultimate cure for sadness"
Bill Blass

December Days

We are making good progress with our winter chores, steadily digging through the borders pruning as we go, it is steady work and the short days pass quickly. Shandy keeps a close eye on our endeavours from her basket, she is only allowed out at break times so her leg has time to heal, but thankfully she is doing well. Meanwhile Bob the robin is developing a distinctly rotund form from all the cake crumbs supplied, he is getting cheekier and more daring by the day but I fear when we break up for Christmas he will forget and have to be coaxed all over again in January.
"Welcome winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless"
Terry Guillemets

Now is the winter of Shandy's discontent!