Thursday 30 April 2009

On my way to ........


...... buy eggs and having the camera with me,  I spotted this orchid on the side of the road. It will be one of the many purple orchids, so I will have ask Tony which one it is as I can never work it out from the books. 
The other plant is dear old Alexanders which grows everywhere round here but this time it is almost on the beach. 
I think it is determined to take over the world.

Wednesday 29 April 2009

After the rain.....





... the flowers at the bottom of the cliff are starting to bloom.
 We have not had a lot of rain but it has perked up the new plants in the garden and the weeds are getting their acts together. 



                                                 A harrier, marsh or hen, I don't know which, but most likely a marsh harrier from the Broads is doing a bit of hunting on my patch.

Tuesday 28 April 2009

The wood pigeons have left .....


      

       
....  the nest because of this fellow. 
This is a sparrow hawk;   all the birds who live in the trees on the bank, opposite the back door have gone into hiding.
The sparrow hawk was not easy to photo!

Yesterday this little trawler was sailing by, not a common sight but an occasional visitor.

Sunday 26 April 2009

Spring growth.......


..... in the tubs is going on  apace. The broad beans are in flower, as you can see, and very handsome they are too.       

The potatoes are almost big enough to be earthed up; must be the sunshine.          

  The new bedding plants are growing even though it is a bit early but we rarely get frost in April, she said hopefully.

Thursday 23 April 2009

I live in a hole.....


..... at the top of the cliff, and I can see you looking at me but you are a long way off.
 There is a pair of kestrels who may be going to nest here, as they did last year,  so I will keep an eye on them and let you know.

Wednesday 22 April 2009

A plant, a boat, a view, and a plank......


Things are beginning to flower at the bottom of the cliff and I will have to look this one up. 
The boat looks like it has escaped from the Broads and I could not see anyone on board, but it was heading down the coast. 
Our view has returned to us  now we  are getting our fair share of sunshine.
 The plank is wishful thinking on my part, all that lovely timber. All I need is four strong young men, but no luck.


Thursday 16 April 2009

To see something new.....













                  .. is always exciting and to find a new plant almost on one`s doorstep is stunning. 
This is the butterbur growing happily by the River Mun. I thought it was a garden escapee, but no, it is a Norfolk rarity.  How little I know. 
We took time off to go to the Old Vicarage garden at East Ruston which just a few miles down the road.
 One of their cats was enjoying the sun and on the hedge was a new butterfly that I had not met before. This is the Speckled Wood, also enjoying the sun.

Wednesday 15 April 2009

New growth on the cliffs......











.... the horsetails are coming through looking un-plant-like and rather strange.
 The dandelion is a persistent little fellow as any gardener knows, but flowering through the sand leaving the leaves below ground is a bit much. 
The silverweed just looks so fresh and healthy in this sandy environment.

Monday 13 April 2009

Bank holiday morning....


....  he carried the chairs, she brought the mugs of tea. The sun was watery but it was mild so sitting on the sea wall was very pleasant.
      The boat has made the trip from the yard to the front garden and will soon be planted up.

Thursday 9 April 2009

Oh silver moon.....


...... sorry about that but what can I say?
 This is the view from the back door last night; not the best of night shots but they do give an impression of what I could see.
 I was going on the beach this morning but, after the fine gardening weather, it is raining.

Tuesday 7 April 2009

Tree climbing......


    ..... to cut down the branches which overhang the stream. A job that has needed doing for ages and has now been done. 
The nesting woodpigeon was not upset by the process. She nipped off for a feed and is now back on the nest; result all  round.

Saturday 4 April 2009

Molly the witch.....


..... when a garden is taken apart and then rebuilt you are bound to lose some plants. 
This one is very close to my heart and I was sure she had gone, but no, she has reappeared.
 The early red-coloured leaves will turn pale green and, with luck, the two buds will open into pale yellow flowers. I will get Sally to type in the plant`s proper name as I have problems saying it, never mind spelling it.
*Paeonia mlokosewitschii

Wednesday 1 April 2009

Spring sunshine......



                                             A nice little bonfire gently getting rid of the rubbish, so we will tidy and ready for the summer.


..... this is not moonlight but the early morning sun all looking a bit glamorous. 






                                                                                                                                                                                                              The daffodils are  standing tall on the cliff. How do
they get everywhere?