Friday, February 05, 2010

One dam thing after another!

Way back when I was a member of the Garden Group in TWG (Town's Women's Guild ) I had this arbour and terrace built. It seemed a good idea to use the expertise on hand so with the chairman's permission( Margaret and yes she's settling in nicely in her new home) I offered a prize for the best planting design for my new toy. The entries had to be anonymous to avoid any hint of favouritism and there were some excellent entries. One of them stood out because it included New Dawn - my favourite rose - so there was beauty and fragrance - then there was the blue potato flower - so prettty with the pale pink, a honeysuckle and a winter jasmine with lots of suggestions for b
etween seasons plants.

I didn't recognise the handwriting so was genuinely surprised and a little dismayed to find the winner was Margaret. It's been an absolute joy over the years and I was upset when Karen told me the rose was dead and she had dug it up. It was discovered the year I was born so it felt personal. Anyway there is sun today so we shall go over to Exford for lunch. Must support the locals - heard the other day that The Notley Arms at Monksilver had closed its doors. Let's hope it's only temporary
Have a nice week-end - I plan to finish a next batch of chapters.
P.S. I googled
fruitlessly for the name of the potato plant - I'm sure you'll know it. Apparently that also is on the way out - the one in my garden I mean. Too cruel!
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20 comments:

Queenie said...

Sun? Blimey! It's grey as a dishcloth here. I know nothing about plants, so I'm probably wrong, but could it be borage? Your arbour is beautiful. Best of luck with the chapters, keep on truckin'!

savannah said...

i'm clueless when it comes to outdoor gardens, sugar! yours looks delightful! all the best with the writing. (and thank you for your kind advice re: sleeping on it before i said anything.) xoxoxoxo

lom said...

No idea either, no sun here either.

AndrewM said...

Re Notley Arms...

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said it was “surprised and saddened” at the closure, adding that it “occurred without warning.”

The spokesman concluded: “We will be working hard to reopen the premises to the local community as quickly as possible.”

DILLIGAF said...

A closed down pub???

I am in formal mourning......

My cacti never seem to survive for more than a month once I get hold of them. I love them but I think I must make them suicidal or some'at

Unknown said...

Those petals need sweeping up! *ducks*

Pat said...

Queenie: no not borage. Hope you get the sun this week-end.

Savannah; glad it was useful - I'm a fine one to talk:)

LOM: it's coming - be patient.

Andrew.M yeah we were surprised and saddened also. Let's hope it's an isolated incident - I really liked that South African dish they did.

Four.D you're hopeless - you don't even have to water cactii do you? Try having a chat.

John'g: you've got no soul - that's half the beauty:)

Pat said...

John.G: just realised that's not a term of endearment.LOL

sablonneuse said...

Hope you get the chapters done. When can we look forward to seeing it published?

angryparsnip said...

Absolutely Beautiful !
Love, Love, Love the rose petals, don't sweep them up!

Good luck on the latest chapters.

cheers, parsnip

Kim Ayres said...

I keep wanting fragrant roses for the garden, but I know nothing about gardening and only remember to mention it to Maggie at inappropriate times when nothing can be done about it

Kevin Musgrove said...

At the risk of being boring: Solanum jasminoides. Definitely a "doer."

OldLady Of The Hills said...

So sorry to read about the loss of your Rose, my dear...It is so personal, isn't it? And many people don't understand...But, I do, and I feel for you...!
I've has some losses like that in my garden and I took them very very hard...!

BTW: I have some pictures of a most BEAUTIFUL flower on my blog today.

Pat said...

Sandy: if it were up to me - within a year of finishing it. In its original version it gained an agent, approval and an interested publisher but didn't get published. When I've finished the new version it'll be in the lap of the gods but never say die;)

Parsnip: thank you - the next bit is a difficult bit.

Kim: I believe roses can be planted anytime but if you put one in now it could bloom this year. Just don't put it where an old rose has been,

Kevin; you're the man! Thank you. Mine is Solanum Jasminoides.
I've always called it Solanium rather like Hillier for Wendy Hiller. I seem to suffer from the intrusive i.

Naomi: thank you - I know you understand. I'm just coming over.

nursemyra said...

what a gorgeous photo

Pat said...

Nursemyra: it's got a nice air of decadence hasn't it?

Dorothy said...

What a great photo and beautiful garden makes me wain for spring here in Western New York oh did I add snowy and cold.

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

Pat said...

Dorothy: hi and welcome. At least in the States you don't get the horrid damp cold we get and are usually well protected with central heating and double glazing. But don't despair - Spring will come- sooner or later.

Anonymous said...

That bench looks like a fragrant place to sit during the right time of year.

Cheers, dear.

Pat said...

Randall: it's where I pray/meditate and I'm longing for the warmer weather- it's not the same doing it in the house.