Nature

 As always it is that frantic time in the garden when everything needs doing at the same time and nature beats all attempts by the gardeners to keep up. The "mower man" is literally on his tractor every other day as the sunshine over the Easter weekend has been followed by warm rain with ongoing showers for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless I am pleased that I have finished setting up a number of projects. The lavenders have all been planted. 

The standard roses have been moved yet again with the three survivors being planted in pots (ever hopeful that they will not go the way of their mates!!).

 

The "old white bed", rechristened by John "the Harlequin bed", has been set up. I was fearful that I needed to move plants that were about to flower but took the chance anyway and all seems well. 

We have a lot of agapanthus which I protect in the porcherie every winter. Despite my molly-coddling we get very few flowers, so this year I have taken the bull by the horns and split or repotted them. It has turned out to be a much bigger job than I expected and may, or may not, bring better results. Finally the "wedding cake" has some flowers. The hydrangea and the roses are growing and I am about to plant the dahlias. 

Yes we are frequently exhausted and even the restorative glass of wine has failed on occasion.

The wildlife continues to give us endless pleasure. The trail camera caught the fox the other night but it also caught another visitor, a pinemarten. We are aware that they are in the vicinity but we have never seen them.

If he stays at the end of the alley that is fine.....they can cause havoc if they get into your loft!