"How does your garden grow..."

Well, dear friends, here we are but a few days later and oh my, the difference one can see within the garden landscape. My previous missive enclosed a few small pictures of the beauty to behold as one strolls amongst the estate but, my dears, that was nought compared to the delights that the spring rain has bought forth; why the roses are in abundance, the hydrangea positively beautiful in its maidens blush of colour, the geranium aglow with colour. Indeed, one is reminded of the eighteenth century nursery rhyme with question" How does your garden grow" - well, dear souls, I have to admit, bountifully and beautifully. However, I do such wonders of nature little justice with the inadequacy of my script therefore I will merely add further pictures for your own delight.

 

How delightful to listen to the sound of the bee as it moves amongst the blooms; the excited buzzing when a new source of pollen is found and the drowsy droning that fills the air is redolent of a warm English day. How perfectly divine, do you not agree?






Whilst the moment presented itself amongst the spring weather, I permitted myself a brief respite in which to renew my vigour for further searching on your behalf ; my only wish is to bring the very best of blooms for your perusal. I do hope you enjoy them.

Busy as bees

Dear reader, your patience is most, most appreciated during this time of
preparation for "the visit" from the Australian contingent of the family. Why such a frenzy of activity is to be observed; indeed, best viewed from the highest perch for ones own safety. The windows have been thrown wide at the earliest opportunity, there are lines of washing blowing in the breeze, much discussion regarding bed linen, beds to be aired and such like. Why, rooms have been cleared, cleaned and decorated in preparation, furniture moved and positioning contemplated. It is quite, quite exhausting - I have fallen exhausted in to my bed each evening with the whirlwind this activity has created. However, it must be said, dear reader, that the estate is looking most becoming if I say so myself. The gardens are at their most plentiful at this glorious time of year; there are roses aplenty, ladies bonnets, hydrangea, iris and many more. The air is redolent with the most becoming of natures scents. Today, my gurdian received a most delightful posy of rocket from one of the gardeners, the most delicious and heady of smells that fills a room; absolutely charming and so beautifully "country" in a simple cream earthenware jug; quite, quite delicious.

 

 


The kitchen garden has been transformed with the recent warm weather and crops are growing aplenty. Such is the success thus far that some most serious discussions were had, heads scratched and much consideration undertaken, whereupon a plan was hatched to create two, yes, two further raised beds! Well, my dears, I did not envy the task ahead and I will tell for why.  The soil was heaped waist high topped with borage, nettles and weeds aplenty that needed to be parted through the middle to allow the building of the beds in the first instance, all the while weeding and sorting. Once this had been done, the rest of the soil also required digging, weeding and sorting. One can only admire the way in which the shoulders were squared, backs straightened and thus they set about that very task. The soil was parted just as if Moses himself decreed it, allowing raised beds to be built. There was not a cloud in the beautiful blue sky for the two days this work was  undertaken, frequent breaks to slake ones thirst were had and on the second day a joyous moment when golden scones of the savoury cheese variety were partaken - a welcome repast for the workers. There is but a relatively small amount of digging yet to be completed. My brother and I offered our services but, for reasons not quite clarified, we were shooed away to "rest awhile and save our strength", which of course, one adhered to with utmost stringency and alacrity.

Now that the electronic billet doux machine has been sited once more, I will endeavour to keep you abreast of the goings on.  I leave you sadly for I have sight of my female guardian with that look in her eye I have seen too oft these last weeks and fear I must secrete myself somewhere comfortable and safe before a further frenzy of activity ensues. Until tomorrow, dear friends...

Oh my, my.....

Well, dear reader, firstly apologies for the lack of missives but oh my, my what a busy time we have had with the visitor from America. Lunch was enjoyed and much merriment was had by all concerned. Lunch was partaken by various members of our guardians family, much news exchanged and tales told. There were many years on which to report (to be exact, 43 years since our guardian had met our visitor last) and photographs to be taken. Once luncheon was completed, the visitor from across the water accompanied our guardian home and spent some hours conversing with our guardians. I, of course, felt duty bound to introduce myself, as all well bred felines should, and spent some time being duly admired, of course. For my dearest brother however, this was a most difficult occasion being naturally shy and retiring. Our visitor was most complimentary about our heritage and on a number of occasions commented upon this. Dear reader, I bore this adulation with great dignity. My brother however, once introduced did what all self respecting males have a tendency t'ward when faced with a gathering of largely chattering females, and withdrew to his private suite until the all clear was sounded. He only resurfaced once calm was restored and hunger drove him out. 

 

Such is my brothers fear of social gatherings that he only felt truly safe once the estate was secured for the night. Then and only then did he fall in to an exhausted sleep and slept the night fully through. I felt myself drawn to him in his hour of need and comforted him with my physical presence as he slept.

 

Dear reader, we thank you for your patience during this visitation. 

Tempus fugit

Dear reader, apologies for my tardiness in maintaining my correspondence but oh, how time flies. Barely does one blink and we have sprung forward, the Spring Bank Holiday almost upon us. What a busy time it has been with preparations for the visits from the American and Antipodean branches of the family; the kitchen garden to continue and the spring clean all requiring urgent attention. Further to this, the local contingent of guardians have enjoyed an early spring break in foreign climes that required extra duties on both estates for my guardians. Dear me, such a frenzy of activity; I am positively exhausted with it all.

The American contingent arrive the latter part of this very week and great excitment this has caused. Many of the guardians have not seen these relatives for, well it must be 40 years. Oh, my, my, I cannot contemplate such a length of time, however over the water they are bound and will receive a great welcome on their arrival. I will of course keep you abreast of the latest snippets for your perusal.

For my brothers' part, he has sought sanctuary wherever and whenever possible, being a quiet and homely individual. Here, he is seen in quiet contemplation, safe beneath the Lutyens bench.

I, on the other hand, have been hither and thither taking interest in all preparations for the visits; no inspection too small in which to consider the welcome and comfort of our family. It is on this very note, I bid you adieu dear friends, duty calls.

At the crack of dawn....

Alas, duty calls even for our male guardian who, with our female guardian, so kindly keeps us in a manner to which we have become accustomed. This does sadly mean that when many are enjoying the Easter Time break, our guardian rises early to go about his work. Today was one such day; however, these early starts are not lost on our female guardian who relishes in the quiet morn with not a soul about bar the birds, bees and animals of the countryside. The cuckoo has been heard a number of times over this Easter time and the wood pigeon has cooed at us from its lofty perch, the sound resonating down the chimney whence it sits. Despite the forcast, the sun has risen and the dew is glistening. Our footprints as we walk the estate making darkened furrows in which my sister and I delicately trip behind our guardian, with her cup of early morning tea in her hand, as we survey the land. As the sun rises, dew laden cobwebs and glistening diamond moss upon the apple trees are revealed. The apple trees appear to have burgeoned overnight with both acid green young leaves and the most delicate of pink and white apple blossom from which the hum of a busy bee can be heard. Such a glorious time of day in which to muse upon the delights the day may behold.

My guardian takes great delight in the natural flora and fauna of the countryside and cannot contain her joy at the sight of the cow parsley - a delicate white frothy flower, typifying the english country lanes in spring. I know of old that great jugs of these flowers will appear at regular intervals until the very last blossom has waned. Such simple pleasures to be had.

Happy Easter

Oh the joy of Easter time, dear friends; everything abounds. Spring is well and truly here and the activity upon the two estates is exhausting to behold. My brother and I have been hither and thither keeping abreast of it all, adding a little request here and tweak there. All so very exhausting, dear friends, that you will excuse my odd respite, in the form of a quiet contemplation on the verdant grass.

The new gate post to the estate has been restored, much to my brother's most ardent relief; the relatives of our guardian complemented our male guardian on how well hung it was - praise indeed,  dear friends! Thankfully this means that my brother's fears of unwanted guests are in abeyance and he can rest easily at night.

The kitchen garden is coming on in leaps and bounds with asparagus, potatoes, onions and beans all planted. The greenhouse has also been a hive of activity with potting on of leeks, squashes and tomatoes aplenty to feed both households. There are plans afoot for more fruit trees, a larger greenhouse and the possibility of chickens and so much more. There has been much discussion regarding the usage of both estates, both modest affairs and the potential need to expand but the how and where causing a conundrum. My brother, in his wisdom, recommends patience and a watch and wait policy.
 
For our part, whatever keeps our human guardians hale and hearty, is the ticket. We are blessed to have kind hearted guardians who wish for a quiet and peaceful country life, to enjoy the seasons in a small but charming country home. This quiet and peaceful haven, however, will see over the coming months visits from both the antipodean and American contingents of the family. My brother, I fear, awaits these visits with increasing trepidation - reader he is not a man of society however well blessed with manners and courtesy he may be. Alas, he will endure them rather than enjoy, seeking solace with our female guardian when and where he can. To say that they are devoted is perhaps to understate the fondness they have for one another. He is at this very moment ensconced upon the lap of this very guardian, enjoying the peace, as I write. What better way to spend this Easter Day than with a loving embrace from loved ones - one of which I duly shared with my brother last evening, as you can see. He is, perhaps, one of those delightful males who is never too busy for such niceties that are all so important to the female of the species; a little reminder, gentleman, if you please.
 
It is on this note that my brother and I wish you a very Happy Easter, hoping that you plans for the coming season reach fruition. I beg to remind you that too many confectionaries can take the shine from your festivities - moderation in everything, dear friends, moderation.

Eggs at Easter time

Dear reader, one cannot tell the joy I have in telling of this delightful little discovery on the estate of my guardians' dear relatives this very evening. Our female guardian was once again gainfully employed within the garden, filling the compostery, when the D-O-G-S became a little excited and somewhat agitated before chasing after one of the Pheasant clan, much to the consternation of my guardian. It is a key time for breeding and nesting therefore the shout went out for search parties to ensure any fledglings were cared for. Lo and behold, dear friends, there amongst the undergrowth was the very thing we feared. A nest of twelve warm eggs; the D-O-G-S were swiftly taken away and calm dutifully restored in an attempt to try and encourage our poor dear Pheasant friend to return - only time will tell. I do so hope that neither the the Brock nor Fox family are in the near vicinity this spring night. With Easter so near at hand one can only pray for the dear little things; a victory for life in the face of adversity would be a true Easter tale.