I am now a great grandfather!

Skye Lily Barrow-Weir met Val and Derek, whilst great grandfather had his Nikon handy at the Barrow Garden today, Sunday 20th August.

The mosaic takes a step towards completion

The final stages of making the mosaic for the new Community Garden at St. Peter's Aldborough Hatch drew closer today - Saturday 19th August - as we carried the completed quarters from the vestry in the church halls to their final resting place. Kristy had done sterling work during the week in preparing the base with a membrane, rubble and cement - the area having been dug out and measured with considerable accuracy by Chris. Sharon - as ever - supervised and where a piece was not quite right it was removed and replaced forthwith. The photographs tell the story and while this was going on gardening continued with Sue, Lorraine and Christine. Jenny and Kristy were up to their elbows in cement - whilst Revd Lovesey made the welcome lunch and kept a wary eye to make sure everything was being done properly. More work to be done this week completing all the pieces where there are joins. The grouting is scheduled for Saturday 26th - and that should see the completed work in which so many residents have been involved. It will be covered for the coming week to protect from the possible rain storms.

Fox in garden at 6am!

This morning at just after 6am I walked out into the rear garden to check on a line of washing I had foolishly put out almost 24 hours ago - which has hung there in torrential rain! But today sun is forecast so it should dry. As I took this shot with my iPhone I sensed movement by the garden bench - and there was Socks' friendly young fox who sleeps in my wildflower garden on warm nights! I fear the photograph may not be fully in focus but you will see the young fox taking a glance at me before he scampered off to the shed-with-the-overhang (summerhouse!).

Tea towels - again!

Today I have washed three towels and some ten tea towels. And I can understand your concern so I will hasten to add that I am now on the Tea Towel and Towel Washing Rota at St. Peter’s Aldborough Hatch. My decision to join  this illustrious band of pilgrims is simply because I learned to my horror (and yours too, I would guess, Cedric) that many ladies hereabouts do NOT iron their tea towels. At least when I am on rota the tea towels will get a good ironing!

The ironing took place this morning. There is some question as to whether or not all the tea towels are tea towels for they could well be towels - but I decided that when in doubt they should be ironed and ironed they were! All this means that for the St. Peter’s Summer Lunch next Sunday the tea towels will be crease free and sparkling!

The St. Peter’s Church Hall tea towels are a motley bunch. I enjoyed the Butterflies of England (noting that it was made in Ireland) and leaned much about Derby and its Cathedral. Others were less enlightening, but a joy nonetheless. Speaking personally I have some interesting tea towels. One gives me the shipping forecast areas around the British Isles, another spells out the delights of Hereford Cathedral, one tells me about goings-on in the North East and another (that I bought with my own money and gave to Yvonne) is all about her home town of Aldeburgh on the Suffolk coast. So, Cedric, I am sure you will see why it is that I enjoy ironing tea towels for I learn something every time I do so.

The London Overground Line to Kew!

If you have not travelled on the London Overground Line, you have not lived! 

I boarded the train mid-morning at Stratford, journeying through such exotic places as Hackney Wick, Gospel Oak, Homerton and Hampstead to Kew Gardens where the colours blew your mind away. 

The hothouses were just too hot for me and the camera lens steamed up - but there was so much to see and enjoy - including the structure new this year. This is The Hive where living as a bee in a hive is simulated in sight and sound. I was amused to see trees propped up - just as we have done in the Cuckoo Hall orchard. 

The rose garden and the rock garden were my favourite places. But I could not resist buying a plant or three - one new lavender and two salvia that I have not seen before plus some wildflower seeds for the wildflower meadow.

I will go back to the London Overground Line - but next time I will alight at some of the stations and have a wander around before getting back on and dropping off at another station down the line. I could spend all day doing this - and it does not cost me a penny with the Freedom Pass! Gospel Oak is a must, surely!

Sunshine for the Garden Coffee Morning!

These shots were taken on Saturday 5th August in my garden when I staged a Garden Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy Sale to raise funds for The Children’s Society. This is an event that my wife, Yvonne, ran for many years - and I have carried it on. 

In two hours we raised £422 to support the Society’s work with vulnerable and abused young people. Over the past three years we have raised nearly £1,500 at these events. Some 50 friends enjoyed the garden during the morning - either calling in for a few minutes or staying to sit in the warm sunshine. 

The team who worked to keep the visitors supplied with coffee, tea and cakes included (from left to right) Lee Hawkes, Jenefer Allen, Jean Sibbald, Linda Bowley, Sue Paddon, Shirley Rudge and Val Smith. Linda is also seen with another Linda - examine a mobile - as you do!

Nearly ready!

The garden is almost ready for the Garden Coffee Morning next Saturday in aid of The Children's Society. These shots were taken about 7am - as Socks came home for yet more breakfast and the two Norwegian rabbits continue to snuggle up! Benches have been teak oiled and there is an addition - the mosaic made during the training session for the work we are doing in the new garden at St. Peter's - can you spot it?