Life seems to have been incredibly busy these past few months. Two family members have been desperately ill. I’ve sat by their beds and held their hands. Willed them to stay with us. One emerged from a deep deep coma, and returned to us. The other one passed away, peacefully in his sleep. And so, I sit in the garden now and think of them. Hoping the one returned to us as fragile as a butterfly, will spread his wings and fly, and mourning for the one who did not, although it was his time to go and we must celebrate a life well lived, well loved, happy and fruitful. The garden, as ever, becomes a place of solace. I’ve ground to a halt after months of literally running from one place to the next, almost in a permanent panic. Back here, in the shade of the trees, there’s peace and calm. Whilst I’ve been busy, the nesting birds have raised their young, and many have fledged. A highlight of a particularly difficult and stormy day was suddenly finding six long-tailed tits, newly emerged from the nest- all gathered along a hazel branch, at eye level, fluffing up feathers, preening, eager darting eyes. Almost like pom poms on a string. What a day to fledge! We had 40 mile per hour winds and torrential rain. With the storm coming from the south east, the westerly edge of our wood was weirdly still and silent, and this is where our little flock gathered. The parents desperately calling to them, ‘tsuk, tsuk, tsuk’ but the chicks totally unafraid, studied me as much as I studied them. In all the excitement of leaving the nest, I was just one of the new wonders for them to discover. I’ve stored up this moment as a happy memory during a difficult time. It’s amazing the little things that give you hope in times of need. You never know when or where these moments will come from, do you. And often it’s the simplest things that provide a balm.
Enjoy this week’s views of the garden and ramble along the back field footpath where there’s masses of white cow parsley and the last of the hawthorn blossom now festooned with ribbons of fragrant dog roses. Thank you for reading my blog.
White Roses. Pearl Drift requires minimal pruning and no chemicals. It is resistant to blackspot due to it’s LeGrice breeding. Grows to 4ft and is reliably repeat-flowering. Highly recommended.
Semi-double flowers allow bees to access the pollen. Sweetly scented.
Dianthus Mrs Sinkins. Another highly-scented flower in the June garden. Repeat flowers if cut back and dead-headed. Grows in the overspill gravel alongside the drive.
White campion – Silene latifolia alba- arrived by itself and grows amongst the cow parsley. Much less rampant than the pink variety.
Wild dog roses, great big swathes, overhang from the top of the high hawthorn hedges. There will be plenty of bright red rosehips.
Along the holloway walk. The pathway is edged with snowdrops in winter, and white starry stitchwort in summer. I’m adding white foxgloves for next year.
I’ve left gaps in the trees to look out from the pathway, towards the back fields, this year planted with spring wheat. I’m looking forward to having a golden backdrop for the garden. Wheat and barley are my favourites.
Step out of the top five bar gate, and on to the lane. The cow parsley has never looked as lovely. Or maybe, I just haven’t had time to stand and survey the scene before.
Looking across the fields towards Bunny Wood. There’s an ancient footpath to the woods.
A well-trodden path, very popular with hikers and dog walkers. We sometimes see deer. Usually there’s hares – more this year than usual. At dusk we watch the barn owls quarter the fields. At the moment they are out in the day as well as at night, which means they are probably feeding young. Tawny owls also call out across the fields at night.
A hawthorn ‘archway.’ A favourite viewing point.
Plenty of cow parsley. As pretty as any florists’ flower.
Thank you for reading my blog. Let me know what gardening jobs you are doing at the moment. I’m catching up on planting and weeding. Everything is very late this year, but I expect things will catch up in time. Have a peaceful happy week.
Bramble Garden 
Karen I am deeply sorry for the loss of your family member, Rest In Peace. She will continue to accompany you from Heaven. And your other familiar heartfelt wish that he soon recovers all his health. Karen I’m sorry she didn’t write earlier, but I’m very depressed and don’t pick up the computer. The one who needs all the attention now is you, my dear friend. You have all my support. Your beautiful garden full of wonders in the form of flowers and a haven of peace, is the best place to recover from all the “panic” you have been through. Karen encouragement and a lot of hope, do not let yourself fall. Help yourself with the gardening. The walk through your garden is fabulous, I would like to take it with you so that I can talk and enjoy all the divine flowers that you have: I love all of them, especially roses and viburnum. The landscapes are magnificent like the cow parsley in your fabulous vase that I love. I am in Madrid and I think I will go to the country house in August, nothing more. A lot of health, a lot of strength, a lot of encouragement, a lot of hope, a lot of positive thinking and a lot of love for your whole family, Mr B and for you. Take care. Hugs. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita xxx 💟🙏😘
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Thank you Margarita. I’m so sorry you are ill. I’m hoping you are getting help from the doctors. Sending all my hope and encouragement and positive thinking your way too. Thank you for reading and getting in touch, even though it has been difficult for you to do so. Take care. Many hugs and affectionate greetings. Love from us all xx 💜🌸💜
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Karen thank you very much for your words of encouragement. Yes, I am with a psychiatrist. The one who needs hope and strength is you, after your great loss. And I am here to help you whenever you want. It is a pleasure to read your blogs, I am very encouraged by the photos of the divine flowers in your garden. Many hugs and affection for everyone. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita xxx💚🙏💟🌺
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Many hugs and affectionate greetings in return. I’m so pleased to hear you are getting some treatment. It will be successful and you will soon be back to feeling much much better. I hope and pray for your return to good health. Love from karen and the garden gang xxx 😘 💚🌸💚
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Thank you very much Karen for your beautiful words and wishes. Much love to the Three Musketeers, Merlin and the two Hens: and of course to you. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita xxx 💚🙏🍀🌸🌺💟
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Xx 😘
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So sorry to hear about further family sadnesses, Karen. The photos you shared with us all suggest places of calm and solace and I know you will spend restorative time amongst them
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So sorry to hear of your sad time. We are lucky to have our gardens to find solace and our own space to reflect and live in an area surrounded by countryside.
Lovely pictures.
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Thank you for your kind words. It is much appreciated.
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Hi Karen. Our gardens and the countryside are the one thing we can rely on in difficult times to provide us with calm and hope. You have such lovely countryside around you and the footpaths must be wonderful at this time of year. I like the idea of white foxgloves. 😃 My sympathy for the loss of a loved one, and best wishes for the other family member.
I am currently breathing out a little after all the work in spring. A bit of weeding and staking plants – we have had lots of rain which is great, but my Alchemilla is smothering everything now under the weight of the raindrops! Keep smiling and happy gardening!
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Thank you Cathy. Enjoy your garden. Thanks for your kind words. I’m finding the garden a lovely calming space after all the rushing about. The weeds have really taken off, but will soon be under control again. Love Karen x
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I’m so, so sorry for your loss 😦
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Thank you. It’s a lovely sunny day and I’m feeling grateful for the garden and all it gives us – flowers, fruit and veg. It’s certainly keeping me busy. Have a lovely week, and thanks for your kind comments, which are appreciated. Karen
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IT’S JUST ME
I’m sorry you’ve had a difficult & sad time. I hope the other person rallies round dgets better. I loved reading your blog. Isn’t nature wonderful – always surprises you when most needed. How fabulous to see LTTs & owls. What a lovely place. Just gorgeous and peaceful. Such lovely photos. Felt at peace reading it. Take care of yourself & thank you for posting it.
Shelagh. Xx
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Thank you very much Shelagh. Yes, nature is wonderful and all the tiny things we see around us bring us such joy. Thank you for taking the time to get in touch. I really appreciate it. I’m so glad you enjoy reading the blog. I do find it helps to put thoughts down on paper. I’m pleased you felt peaceful reading it. I felt quite peaceful writing it too, after months of turmoil. Take care, and thank you again for your kind words, which have made a difference. Xx
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So sorry you’ve been through some difficult months, Karen. Your garden’s a natural haven, especially in times of sadness. When reading your lovely descriptions, I always enjoy being transported there (whatever my own mood or situation!). Hope you can find time to relax just a little more now – and play with your four-legged friends! See you soon! xx
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Thank you Mary. I’m glad you feel transported here. I am looking forward to sitting in the orchard again with you and enjoying the summer flowers. Take care and lots of love. Don’t worry, I’m catching up on ‘Monty and Meg’ time Xx
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The garden is indeed a place of solace, it gives us quiet time to reflect … and to regain strength. So sorry for your loss Katen, sending hugs a’plenty X
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Please forgive my typo Karen!😣 Old fingers xxx
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Made me laugh. That’s usually me, pressing the wrong keys. At least you don’t get unicorns….which I sometimes do and can’t get rid of 🙂 xx
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Thank you very much. That is so true. Time to reflect and recover. Gardens provide a healing space. Thanks for the hugs. Sending some in return. Thanks Xx
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I am sorry to hear of your loss and of the knife edge days you’ve had at bedsides of loved ones. I was there a year ago, gloved hand holding hand. The natural world has been of great cheer to me since. Go easy on yourself. Ceri
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Thank you Ceri. Sorry to hear of your heartbreaking time too. Glad you’ve found solace in nature as well. Thank you for your kind words. Take care. x
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I’m sorry for your loss. It sounds like the person lived a full life, and was well loved. I hope your other person recovers fully, without further issues. Your woodland is beautiful. Thank you for the pictures of your lovely and peaceful retreat.
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Thank you for your very kind words. We never realised, when we planted our wood, how much we would need it. Currently there are two tawny owl fledglings, fresh out of their nests, branching in the trees. It’s fascinating watching the parents flying across the back fields. They are working really hard at the moment. Thanks again for your kindness. It’s much appreciated.
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Sorry for your loss. I hope the other patient gets much stronger soon.
Gardens can be very comforting and very absorbing. X
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Thank you. Very true. Thank goodness for our gardens. Thanks for your kind words. Xx
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