Tuesday 31 August 2010

Tuesday 31st August 2010



We went to Sidmouth and had a walk around Connaught Gardens. Then we called in at Otterton Mill on the way home.

Monday 30th August 2010

We went to Chudleigh Knighton Heath and Stover Country Park today.

Monday 30 August 2010

Sunday 29th August 2010


I didn't go out today but as always the garden provided plenty of interest, especially when Helen dipped the pond and we found lots of darter dragonfly larvae.

Saturday 28 August 2010

Saturday 28th August 2010


A Mgrant Hawker in Helen and Ian's garden.

Friday 27th August 2010



We had a walk around Venn Ottery nature reserve.

Friday 27 August 2010

Thursday 26th August 2010


We went to Buckfastleigh where Ian looked at the otters while Helen and I wandered around the butterfly house.  Then we had a walk at Buckfast Abbey and in the evening we went to Escot Park for a beaver watch.  Two hours in the pouring rain and no beaver - perhaps he didn't like the idea of getting wet!.

Wednesday 25th August 2010


A wet day so we relaxed, played on computers and read.   I also had a wander through Helen and Ian's bookshelves and admired a painting by Ian's father, Martin Elliott.

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Tuesday 24th August 2010


Wall art in Helen and Ian's kitchen.

Monday 23rd August 2010


A beautiful Glasswing butterfly (Greta oto) at Chester Zoo.

Sunday 22nd August 2010


Flowers for Jo from Helen and Ian.

Friday 20 August 2010

Wednesday 18th August 2010


We have a few tortoises scattered around the house.  I think they are supposed to bring good luck.

Tuesday 17 August 2010

Tuesday 17th August 2010


We moved into The Willows six years ago today.

Monday 16th August 2010


Cones forming on the Atlas Cedar in Ashton Park, West Kirby.

Sunday 15th August 2010


This artifical flower arrangement has brightened up the conservatory for some time now.

Saturday 14th August 2010


The Teasels self-seed all around our back garden.  This one is on the path by the shed and is over six feet tall.

Friday 13th August 2010


There is still  the occasional Superlambanana around Merseyside.  This one is currently at West Kirby station and was painted by Candida Boyes.  Called Tiger in the Woods it is the team lambanana of Tranmere Rovers Football Club.

Thursday 12th August 2010


Danger - Tesco is taking over the world (and building this new store near us - having knocked down some of the local shops).  And yes, we will be keeping out, on principle.

Wednesday 11th August 2010


White-tailed Bumble Bee on Knapweed in the back garden.

Saturday 14 August 2010

Tuesday 10th August 2010


A trip to Chester Zoo - sometimes the inhabitants are as interested in us as we are in them.  This is a White-crested Turaco.

Monday 9 August 2010

Monday 9th August 2010


The Black Grass (Ophoiopogon) is in flower.

Sunday 8th August 2010


Scallops, salmon, cabbage and samphire - I enjoyed my lunch today.

Saturday 7 August 2010

Saturday 7th August 2010



I went to the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum in Birkenhead.  One of the best pieces of historical significance is ouitside rather thsn inside - this 1856 fluted letter box with a vertical slot and a door at the rear.

Friday 6 August 2010

Friday 6th August 2010


We had a pair of Southern Hawkers hawking around the garden in the rain today. This one settled briefly before they eventually flew off after twenty minutes of elusive flying.

Thursday 5th August 2010



Michaelmas is not until 29th September and I tend to think of Michaelmas Daisies as being autumnal flowers but they are already out in our garden. Don’t tell Jo that summer’s gone!

Wednesday 4th August 2010


I grew up knowing these flowers as Montbretia but nowadays they are called Crocosmia. There’s plenty of rain around at the moment.

Tuesday 3rd August 2010



I love Portmeiron Pottery’s Botanic Garden series and I’ve sent off for some sandwich plates that I found in a sale on the internet.

Monday 2nd August 2010


I decided we should win the Lotto or Euromillions this week. If the blog posts stop at the weekend you’ll know I’m off spending it...

Sunday 1st August 2010


Some books shout out to be read because of their title and book jacket – I didn’t even bother reading the blurb when I saw this in a library book sale; I just grabbed it!