A Dusting Of Snow

As you can see we had a dusting of snow to greet us this morning, just enough to look picturesque without stopping us from working. How I wish I could see Norton Conyers in really deep drifts, alas it will not be possible unless I'm prepared to stay overnight and await a thaw!
We continue to work on the tunnel and alternate between digging and then taking a break by checking trees in the woods. This entails peering down the long plastic tubes to see if the sapling is still alive. Imagine my surprise today when I saw two beady black eyes staring back! A nuthatch had become stuck down at the bottom of the tube and luckily we were in time to rescue the poor little fellow. He flew away with what I thought was a rather joyous chirp. I felt good for the rest of the day. Today is also the first day that Shandy has been skipping around almost back to normal, she will be chasing rabbits again in no time.

"January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow"
Sara Coleridge

The Tunnel

Often on the worst days weather wise we can do little actual gardening, and so must turn our attention to other estate jobs. Long over due was sorting out the tunnel, as you can see it has been used as a dumping ground for unwanted metal, old crockery and dubious medicine bottles. It used to be the main route for the servants to come and go from the main house to the gardens and stables, the idea being that they would remain unseen by the gentry! Unfortunately with our modern traffic trundling overhead it is now in need of some repair to make it safe, so we emptied it of rubbish and then began to tackle the build up of leaves and soil that has built up over the years. Two tonnes later and we are still a long way from the end, but then I expect there will be plenty of bad weather to come when we will be pleased of a job under cover. Incidentally teenage son received a head torch for Christmas which I've duly pinched and put to good use, very handy for rescuing frogs I've found!
Shandy update; All bandages are now off and although she still has to rest a lot of the time she is managing quite well and is putting her weight on the bad paw occasionally, her poor little limb is a bit withered and doesn't have much fur but will mend quickly now if Giles keeps up the daily massage! Our current name for her is sparrow leg!
"There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others".
Ada Adams

Into The Woods

This time of year finds us in the woods at Norton Conyers, it is the best time to care for the trees as you are not hindered by the evil nettles and gigantic balsam that smothers everything during the warmer months. I like to think of it as shepherding the trees, they are well overdue for some TLC after a year of neglect. We start by checking each plastic tube to see if it contains a living specimen, if not we remove the stake and guard to be used again if possible. Next we turn our attention to the more mature trees, if they have burst open the guard we remove it, this then give us the opportunity to check the growth and remove any weak side shoots or cut out the weakest leader if the main trunk has split in two. This helps to grow strong and straight trees that will not sucumb to the wind before their time. We were lucky with the weather yesterday as it was beautiful and despite being January and it made me glad to be back at work despite having a brilliant Christmas. I must be one of the few people who can look forward to returning to the daily grind, how lucky I am!
A quick update on poor old Shandy, she has had the pot taken off her leg but when she attempted to stand on it she fell over! So it is now bandaged and Giles has strict instructions not to let her walk on it until it has strenthened, consequently she is more miserable than before. Hopefully she will continue to mend and will soon be back chasing rabbits.
"Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it"
J.W.Von Goethe

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!