I’ve had a traumatic experience this week. I was already becoming despondent because I hadn’t witnessed any blue tits visiting my nesting box for a while. Then one morning while I was doing my ablutions in our en-suite, I heard a thud and realised a bird must have flown into our bedroom window. Now we …
Author Archives: ramblingrosetales
Is a tree like a cat?
Is it? I’m really hoping my ceanothus tree has nine lives, because she’s already used at least four of hers! Three years ago she broke free from her support in a high wind and was bent double. Then she was attacked by Jack Frost and all her leaves went brown and crusty – but she …
Looking ahead and a bit of nostalgia
Is it too late to say Happy New Year? Well I’m saying it anyway – Happy New Year to you! I hope you had a good time over Christmas. My presents didn’t include a bird box camera, despite the heavy hint, but it’s probably just as well because there are a number of blue tits …
Whatever the Weather
Winter is upon us, but some days you wouldn’t think so. Yesterday, for example, GR and I were out doing jobs in the garden without coats on. Mind you, I had been sweeping up mounds of wisteria leaves, for what seemed like hours, so I had worked up a sweat. I love the wisteria when …
Bracts, Bugs and Blooms
I’ve mentioned before how amazed I am that I’ve managed to keep a poinsettia alive for over a year – it lost the last of its red bracts recently but the leaves are looking exceedingly healthy. In a moment of feeling less bah humbug than usual, I decided to look up how to encourage more …
Cats on a Wet Green Roof and Rooms With a View
It’s been a busy few weeks here. Victoria and Albert have had a new summerhouse installed and we’ve had a proper roof put on our conservatory. The summerhouse was royally declared open and we sat in it with cups of tea and iced buns, enjoying the autumn sunshine. Its long windows to the front and …
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It doesn’t necessarily happen every year
I have a favourite saying, which some might say I overuse. For example when we moan that the clocks are about to change, and for a while we’re going to be spending much of the day in the dark, I empathise wholeheartedly, but can’t resist adding – ‘still, it happens every year‘. Also when some …
Birds and Beasties
At last some sun! My green tomatoes are gradually turning red but the flower on my pepper plant shrivelled up and fell off, so alas my first attempt at growing them has been a failure. The garden still looks pretty colourful and I’ve started preparing for next year. That’s probably bigging it up a bit …
All Visitors Welcome (well almost all)
In June we were crying out for rain, now I’m wondering if it’s ever going to stop. My water butts are all full and overflowing – I could do with my own reservoir! I’ve been a bit upset about the slow progress of my tomatoes this year. Friends have, cruelly I would say, been sending …
The birds & the bees
So much has been happening since my last blog! The blue tit babies have flown the nest again without telling me. One day I could hear their hungry little squeaks – Mr & Mrs BT flying constantly back and forth with tasty morsels (they were looking quite skinny by that stage) – the next minute …
Rambling Rose 