A Garden Post

I have duplicated some pieces of this post on two other gardening related blogs I maintain, so humour me and trust me when I say it’s not a senior moment!

http://gardenersfridayforum.blogspot.co.uk

http://rainbowallotmentblogger.blogspot.com

We can’t really complain about November this year as the weather has been quite kind.

Thomas Hood’s poem comes to mind; here is the last verse ....

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member--
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds,
November!

I’ve tidied my garden in a wildlife friendly way and planted up a few more tulips.  Being able to see the bare bones of the plot gets me thinking creatively about my projects for next season.   I should carry a notebook and pencil in my pocket as these are usually forgotten by the time the session is finished!

The leaves seem to have remained until later in the month compared to last year and I enjoyed a visit RHS Harlow Carr.

 

The AGM of Yorkshire in Bloom was held in Temple Newsam, which gave me  the opportunity for a  stroll in the grounds.

 

 Temple Newsam House

 

On the way back, as the sun was still shining,  I couldn’t pass the Canal Gardens at Roundhay Park without a peak in.

The allotment where I am a volunteer has also slowed down, so I will be spending more time in the parks.  The afternoons are very short at the moment but we are only three weeks away from the shortest day.

Broad Beans Aquadulce Claudia  

The upside is that, theoretically, there should be more time for writing.

 

Shorter Days and Longer Nights

  Waterloo Lake, Roundhay Park

Weather

Long hours of rain, the sun setting by 4pm and waking up to the cold and dark are all signs of winter which usually brings on the winter blues.  We have fared better than many parts of the UK who have been hit by floods and not for the first time this year.   The weather remains cold but bright with blue skies and I have even spotted the odd poppy and rose daring to put on a display.  I planted Iris Sunrise bulbs; some in a pot for a payback scheme to my gardening club and some in my garden.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly

I attended the Bar mitzvah of my friend’s grandson.  A lovely celebration and Sam sang his piece beautifully.  

Unfortunately, I have been to a few funerals lately, and this week was the consecration of the gravestone of my late brother-in-law who died very suddenly in January.  I feel he would have appreciated the large numbers of family and friends who attended and even the congenial atmosphere at the gathering afterwards.

My laptop developed a horrific virus which took the form of a police notice with my photo, taken through my webcam, demanding a fine to be paid by PayPal to be able to use it.  I felt as if someone had invaded my personal space, never mind the cost of having it removed.

Out and About

A trip to Harlow Carr Gardens at Harrogate reminded us of the contrast of the seasons,



 The grasses still add interest

 The Winter Walk

 

Listened to an interesting talk on Cedric Morris (1889-1982) Sir Cedric Lockwood Morris, 9th Baronet was a British artist, art teacher and plantsman. He was born in Swansea but worked mainly in East Anglia. As an artist he is best known for his portraits, flower paintings and landscapes. Wikipedia

Had a run out to Ripon,  where I had a bowl of  Beetroot and Parsnip Soup for lunch at Booth’s.  The soup was raspberry coloured and tasted delicious.  Just the job for a cold, miserable day.

 The Town Hall, Ripon

 

I had a meeting at Cannon Hall in Barnsley and have made a mental note to return here next year when the gardens can be fully appreciated.   The Hall, which is also a museum, stands in 70 acres of rolling parkland and gardens.   There are splendid original features in the hall and an exhibition of Moorcroft pottery. 

A school party were cooking in the Victorian kitchen. You can also visit the Farm, the Farm shop and Garden Centre. Admission is free to all venues except for the farm, but parking fees must be paid.



 You can get versions for children too

As I arrived early, I had a cup of tea at the Pavilion Cafe, next to the car park.   The waitress was friendly and knew everyone by name.  The decor was interesting and the tablecloths were maps of world. 
 
After the meeting, I had the opportunity to see more of the grounds

 

 

 The view from the Hall

For almost 300 years Cannon Hall was home to the Spencer-Stanhope family who made their fortune in the local iron industry. In the 1790’s the architect John Carr of York enlarged the hall and redesigned the interior. The hall also houses ‘Charge’, the Regimental Museum of the 13th/18th Royal Hussars, Queen Mary’s Own and the Light Dragoons, it illustrates the part played by the regiment in many major battles such as the Charge of the Light Brigade and includes memorabilia dedicated to Lord Baden Powell.

 Part of the walled garden

 View from the walled garden

The historic walled garden dates from the 1760s and an annual event in September celebrates the pear trees, which were first grown here in the early eighteenth century.The Pear Tree collection is one of the most extensive in the North of England and has over 40 varieties.  One of the greenhouses is home to the 200 year old Cannon Hall vine, which was grown from a seed brought back by John Spencer-Stanhope from the continent in 1802. A cutting of the vine was exported to Australia, cultivated, and its descendants produce today’s fine Australian wines.

Watched:  Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris at the local Arts Centre; had me smiling throughout.  On TV I’m a huge fan The Killing III (Danish  version) and The Hour.

Written:  A short dialogue The Birthday Party for local radio and a short story which is, as yet, unfinished.  I can proudly wear my badge for achieving the Write1Sub1 challenge for November!  Another month will complete the year.  I am considering upping my production rate for 2013.

Thanks to all of you who advised me on whether, when writing, you can mix 1^st person with 3^rd person.  The jury is still out.

Reading:  Just finished Painting by Numbers by Sally Patricia Gardner and can recommend it.

Healthy Writers Group

 

Ashamed to report that apart from my weekly Pilates session I have not managed any sort of exercise regime – and it’s showing.

 

 

2010: Out with the old ......

Met up for lunch with some ex-colleagues in Otley.  There was still a covering of snow over Otley Chevin and the fields which made the sheep look grubby by comparison.  We (Martin, Sue and Pete, Janie and Lizzie B) started off at Wetherspoons and had lunch at Korks Wine Bar and Brewery.  Good choice of vegetarian food at a fair price of £8.95 for two courses.  Steve and Jean joined us for coffee.

Ben came for the weekend and brought us Grandma and Grandad mugs with Freya's footprint; priceless.  On Christmas Day we went for a walk in the park with the kids
 

On Sunday we spent an enjoyable  afternoon at Beryl's with the family.

Braved the crowds and weather and  went to the sales in Leeds centre.  Naomi bought for England and I ended up with a black T-shirt.  Ben's gone back to London en route for Sweden.  He's really missed his girls.

We had a trip out to Ripon, which could be described as an old market town but its cathedral gives it city status.  We parked in the square and, as both the pay and display machines were blocked, we reckoned it was free parking.  On emerging from Yorkshire Trading, we saw a traffic warden by Ronnie's car and hurried over as quickly as we could bearing in mind the square was like a skating rink.   After explaining that the machines would not accept our money, the warden agreed that we did not need to pay but we had failed to display.   We hadn't even tried to print a ticket without paying!  Call it Christmas spirit,  but no further action was taken.

We drove on to Ripley where we had lunch in the grounds of the Castle.

This tree was pretty in pink.  Will have a trip round the gardens in the summer.
Took the kids to the Canal Gardens and warmed up in Tropical World and Butterfly House.  Just the thing for a freezing cold day.

 Check the temperature!

This year's panto at Harewood Village Hall was Cinderella and, apart from the Ugly Sisters who didn't really need a mic, we had a good time.

Can't believe it is Freya's first birthday.  She had a party for her family and received lots of presents.  She is leading a jetsetting life there:

 Swedish Santa pays her a visit

 ....... horse riding

 ....... sledging

 ........ walking

 ...... watching TV?

Can't wait to see her!

Went to Harlow Carr with the kids.  A bit too muddy and icy to go in the maze and playground, but a pleasant walk.  From the bird hide we saw a squirrel had somehow managed to get to the tray of seed in the squirrel-proof  area.   Red Kites were again in evidence.

And that brings us to the end of 2010 and I wish all readers a happy and healthy new year.  I never fail to be amazed at the 'hits' from near and far.  I would love to know how you came to read it.

As I re-read my blog, I am reminded of  happy times and good fortune.  I have previously mentioned that it wouldn't be real life without its share of misfortunes, disappointments and challenges but I have chosen to focus on the positives.

I am not one for making resolutions for the new year, but I did say near the start of this blog that I would tackle the garden and try some writing this year.  I have also set myself the challenge of getting fit (and less fat!).   Perhaps my blog should be less eclectic.  Feedback always welcome.