The tale of a shed (ongoing)

In our garden is a shed. For ten years it has been a repository for 'Things'.

There have been boxes of books, boxes of pictures, some tools, gardenchairs ...and so on.

Now it looks like this., due to some serious decluttering.

I had a Plan.

I have recently been funded two afternoons 'Carer-sitter' for my husband, to give me free time. I thought about what I would do in those hours, meet a friend, go walking, shopping....

I don't always want to go out, so my plan is to make this shed a space for me. It's going to be insulated and lined, and then painted. There is already electricity there.

When it's ready I'm going to bring my sewing machine/table/fabric here, together with my painting things.

Or as my daughter said ,'Mum, just take a chair and a book up there'

To   be continued.

 

Butterfly

Red Admiral in all its glory.

I wonder if it felt camouflaged amongst the French marigolds?

I have often wondered about the name, so googled it, as you do, and found that it was once known as the 'Red Admirable'. So just a shorter version.

 Her scientific name is Vanessa atalanta, which I think is rather pretty.

The marigolds, incidentally, have gone completely wild! I use them as companion planting for the tomatoes and never have any greenfly trouble

A restorative walk. (with a lot of photos)

 Take a walk with me through our National Trust gardens. I took myself for a stroll  this afternoon , leaving a very lovely carer in charge.

At one end of the car park is the Water tower, dating from the 1860s when it was an actual water reservoir. Now it is a four storey holiday cottage, with one room on each floor, beautifully decorated.

Across the yard is the little shop which looks as though  it's built into the lovely old wall.

From the shop you can access their little garden within the walls, where plants are sold.

Then wander past the tiny scented garden where jasmine climbs the wall, lavender bushes buzz with bees, and every plant is a delight to the senses. Flowers grown at Trelissick were used as models for the Spode Copeland china made by one of the original owners of the estate.

The entry to the Gardens is through this lovely old stable barn, which at Christmas is decorated with so many Christmas trees. Can you hear the clop of horses' hooves on the cobbles ?

Where does this little door go?

The Long walk leads past some very old Rhododendrons which were planted many years ago. There is a majestic feeling about the trees here. They have seen so much history.

So many years ago I brought my mother here, to an evening performance of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', all taking place around that huge tree in the centre of the lawn. Can you imagine the fairies and Puck climbing in and out of the branches? It's a Japanese Red Cedar planted in 1898.

Rhododendrons en masse.

And Banana plants.

There is so much more than I have been able to show you today, but for a finish let's go the the courtyard where tea is served under a shady parasol.

My birthday

 Another year has gone by.

I'm grateful for lovely children and grandchildren who have made this year easier, (and brought birthday cake and strawberries!)

Friends who came with flowers and beautiful shower lotions and soaps. 

Carers who brought a teeny tiny cake with candles!

I feel spoilt. 

But there is a grief in my heart that my lovely husband isnt well enough to celebrate, or even know what the day is.

It's in God's hands, He knows the plan.