Oh my dears, what glorious weather we have enjoyed this fine weekend. Why, both my guardians were with me and we did spend the larger part of it enjoying our small estate and partaking of our meals "al fresco". There are, of course, always jobs to be undertaken but they are no hardship when the sun is shining and a light breeze prevails to keep one cool. The lawns therefore are neat and trim thanks to my male guardian, whilst my lady guardian did tidy the new front border. The new roses are in bloom, planted in memory of my lady guardian's departed mother, plus the rose planted for her father (some eighteen years ago) has delayed its blooming to flourish together. United in their beauty and the joys they give. I, for my part, ensured the standards my dear late brother did believe in.
This evening we spend some joyous hours as a family, enjoying each other's company, resting before my guardians' return to their professional toil. Oh how we do enjoy these restful hours together. For we are lucky to have one another, of that we are sure.
L
Sunday, 31 July 2016
Sunday, 24 July 2016
Rest and recuperation
For those of you who have followed us a while, you will know that I am a firm exponent of the restorative powers of a little rest and recuperation. It has therefore been delightful to have my guardian's with me this last week doing just that, away from professional toil, allowing oneself to "sniff the roses". In this thoroughly modern world it appears all too easy to set ones cast, jump on the treadmill and keep going, full pace without thought for ones peace of mind. This week has been about freeing the mind to float at will and enjoy simply being, to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and enjoy each other's company. Delight has been taken in being the three of us, free from duty, and expectation. Such a life enhancing time. Enjoying our modest home, our lives unfettered by the ticking of the clock nor demands of others. My dears, we thoroughly recommend it. So restorative.
The joy in waking unencumbered by routine, by taking pleasure in simple summer foods, a good book, the garden, glorious music, all accompanied by an English country garden at the height of summer and those important to us. Simply divine, my dears, simply divine.
My lady guardian is so very fond of the poem "What is this life so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare", a worthy read to reflect upon and one, as you know, I thoroughly recommend my dears.
Thursday, 21 July 2016
Summer
Well, dear friends, the first two days of this week did remind my dear guardian's of the summer of '76, with clear blue skies as far as the eye could see and blazing sunshine reportedly hotter than the Sahara. How my male guardian did love it, however, those of you in the know will remember my poor dear lady guardian's aversion to anything above 20 degrees. Two days to be endured and despite not venturing forth in direct sunlight, managed to catch the sun despite all attempts to avoid this very situation; alas being of the Celtic red colouring has its disadvantages. Not however to look a gift horse in the mouth with enforced static activities, some small fine knitted garments have been attempted in reference for future work and a very pleasing outcome there was, much to my lady guardian's delight. For myself, I have done my duty and kept my guardian's company whilst sat in the sanctuary garden, one under a becoming garden parasol, the other very definitely enjoying the sunshine
Today, we have had a light smattering of rain amidst the warmth, for which we are grateful, as the new hedging is still in its early stages requiring copious watering from the water butts, the contents of which are now very low. The grain in the fields surrounding us is a glorious golden and in certain parts of the county, harvesting has begun. Oh my, how the year does fly. Our small estate looks glorious and a joy to behold, much to the delight of my guardian's.
Today, we have had a light smattering of rain amidst the warmth, for which we are grateful, as the new hedging is still in its early stages requiring copious watering from the water butts, the contents of which are now very low. The grain in the fields surrounding us is a glorious golden and in certain parts of the county, harvesting has begun. Oh my, how the year does fly. Our small estate looks glorious and a joy to behold, much to the delight of my guardian's.
Wednesday, 13 July 2016
Sshhhhh..................
Dear reader, I do impart this in a whisper, for I believe the elusive British summer day did show its face briefly this very day. Quite the most delightful afternoon. I confess I did spend it in the sanctuary garden betwixt the new sun terrace and the shade of the orchard, as I whiled away my time between guardian's, taking the air, or as my late darling brother would oft be heard quoting " busy doing nothing, working the whole day through, trying to find lots of things not to do". I do, of course, beg to differ for I do believe in the restorative benefit of contemplation and where better to undertake this than the sanctuary of ones own garden at the peak of loveliness. Why the roses abound, hydrangeas are aplenty and the mock orange is quite a sight for sore eyes. It does fair drive the honey and bumble bees wild. What is more British than the sound of a busy bee perusing the gardens floral delights, the sound of its buzzing waxing and waning as it negotiates the various flowers, whilst one lies basking in the glorious warmth of a fine summers day. The crops in the fields surrounding our little estate grow steadily more golden preparing for their day of harvest and, oh my, how the apple crop does grow. How the seasons do race t'ward one another. My male guardian and I do fully intend to enjoy each joyous summer day to its fullest, lapping up the warmth of the sun. We do so hope you have the opportunity to do the same.
Monday, 11 July 2016
Oh my dears........
Oh my dears, what an awful, awful time we have had trying to understand this technology. Why, I can only apologise, for it had near defeated us. We were, however, my dears, saved from ruin by my male guardian with his knight in shining armour helmet firmly in place and lo, we are back! Such a momentous relief and all thanks to our darling man. Why, my dear lady guardian was quite beside herself with frustration. Thankfully, all is resolved and we thank you for your interminable patience.
Well, quite frankly, where to start. Perhaps the beginning would be best.
Since our last missive, our small estate garden has undergone some refashioning, as we had previously eluded to. The sun terrace has been completed and oh my, what a transformation. A little larger and LEVEL, dear reader, level. One cannot explain the joy for my guardian's in being able to partake of a much needed cup of tea without fear for the family crockery. Afternoon tea can be partaken safely.
The new border has burgeoned; the roses are out in all their glorious splendour. Why, the rose so kindly bought in memory of my lady guardian's mother (by my lady guardian's professional colleagues) is most becoming in all its beauteous pink colouring. The scent is quite marvellous to behold. Thank you so much professional colleagues, such a kind gesture.
The sanctuary garden has also undergone a small face lift, with tired plants removed and new planting now established. Oh the joy of selecting and planting anew, such a delight and it has certainly been worth the wait, dear friends.
Lastly, the boundary hedge to the fore of our little estate has been removed and replaced with a new, and, one trusts, more manageable yew hedge. The current changeable weather has been to the benefit
of this new planting, much to my guardian's relief.
The garden therefore abounds in all its summer finery, scenting the air with the most delicious of fragrances. Truly a sanctuary to revel in.
Well, quite frankly, where to start. Perhaps the beginning would be best.
Since our last missive, our small estate garden has undergone some refashioning, as we had previously eluded to. The sun terrace has been completed and oh my, what a transformation. A little larger and LEVEL, dear reader, level. One cannot explain the joy for my guardian's in being able to partake of a much needed cup of tea without fear for the family crockery. Afternoon tea can be partaken safely.
The new border has burgeoned; the roses are out in all their glorious splendour. Why, the rose so kindly bought in memory of my lady guardian's mother (by my lady guardian's professional colleagues) is most becoming in all its beauteous pink colouring. The scent is quite marvellous to behold. Thank you so much professional colleagues, such a kind gesture.
The sanctuary garden has also undergone a small face lift, with tired plants removed and new planting now established. Oh the joy of selecting and planting anew, such a delight and it has certainly been worth the wait, dear friends.
Lastly, the boundary hedge to the fore of our little estate has been removed and replaced with a new, and, one trusts, more manageable yew hedge. The current changeable weather has been to the benefit
of this new planting, much to my guardian's relief.
The garden therefore abounds in all its summer finery, scenting the air with the most delicious of fragrances. Truly a sanctuary to revel in.
Sunday, 17 April 2016
Serious designs on the estate gardens
Well, dear friends, there has been quite some consideration regarding the estate gardens. My lady guardian, despite her professional toil and charity work, has found some time in her erstwhile busy schedule to turn thoughts to the home front, in particular, the gardens of our small estate. There has been much pondering, research, measuring and head scratching. A new border has been started and work begun to remove an old hedge; measurements taken and calculations made for the order of whips for the new hedge. The small sun terrace has been reviewed; for some time it has been obvious that it would need renewing. My guardian's had put this off for some time however the proverbial bullet bitten and a date set for the upheaval to begin. Oh my goodness, the mess that will ensue. It has to be said that a low profile will be kept on my part during these operations. However, it will be a delight to partake of one's meals "al fresco" during the summer months.
The new border has been enhanced with good old fashioned scented roses of quite the most delightful of gentle shades. No plant has been left unconsidered in the search for plants that are becoming and enhancing with the added benefit of attracting the wildlife.
The sanctuary garden is also receiving a review, with old plants past their best removed and a good tidy up for the rest of the borders. Such a satisfying job with the added benefit of a beautiful garden to behold once it has established.
The onset of Spring and British summer time have put a spring in my guardian's step and our small estate is benefitting from this. One has to monitor their enthusiasm, therefore I spend many an evening and weekend with them in the garden, weather permitting. Despite the extra hours of sunshine, we still have sharp frosts, as we did this very morning, and the winds can be quite cold from the north or east. Oh I do delight in the springtime, such a beautiful time of year.
The new border has been enhanced with good old fashioned scented roses of quite the most delightful of gentle shades. No plant has been left unconsidered in the search for plants that are becoming and enhancing with the added benefit of attracting the wildlife.
The sanctuary garden is also receiving a review, with old plants past their best removed and a good tidy up for the rest of the borders. Such a satisfying job with the added benefit of a beautiful garden to behold once it has established.
The onset of Spring and British summer time have put a spring in my guardian's step and our small estate is benefitting from this. One has to monitor their enthusiasm, therefore I spend many an evening and weekend with them in the garden, weather permitting. Despite the extra hours of sunshine, we still have sharp frosts, as we did this very morning, and the winds can be quite cold from the north or east. Oh I do delight in the springtime, such a beautiful time of year.
Monday, 11 April 2016
Relationships
Relationships, are they not the most fascinating of things, my dears? I do find the intricacies of a relationship most informative and, indeed intriguing. What is it that lays the foundation for a person's interaction with others? Is it within their very make up, is it learnt behaviour; from the environment we exist in, or one's mental ability to understand and process what happens to us and what goes on around us? Or is it purely based on a primeval instinct to survive, to chop and change to match the situation.
I have to confess, like my dear late brother, I am an ardent people watcher. Such a fascinating subject with never ending potentials. I have quietly observed, and reflected upon, the happenings within our lives over the last six months. I am never surprised by humanity nor the complexity of the lives they live, how lives are interwoven and relationships created or broken in the blink of an eye. As in the words of Confucius "life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." However, the words of Maya Angelou resonate "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel."
I am fortunate to have a relationship with my guardian's that is warm and makes me feel safe. Their love for me is consistent, understanding that whilst I may change, our relationship does not. I am, dear friends, a most fortunate individual, to be on the receiving end of such unconditional love, even, it has to be said, despite my habit of sitting on my lady guardian's pillow and grooming her. Yes, I am an early bird, but one must ensure one's family are presentable, even if this means a grooming session at four in the morning. Do you not agree?
I have to confess, like my dear late brother, I am an ardent people watcher. Such a fascinating subject with never ending potentials. I have quietly observed, and reflected upon, the happenings within our lives over the last six months. I am never surprised by humanity nor the complexity of the lives they live, how lives are interwoven and relationships created or broken in the blink of an eye. As in the words of Confucius "life is really simple but we insist on making it complicated." However, the words of Maya Angelou resonate "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did but people will never forget how you made them feel."
I am fortunate to have a relationship with my guardian's that is warm and makes me feel safe. Their love for me is consistent, understanding that whilst I may change, our relationship does not. I am, dear friends, a most fortunate individual, to be on the receiving end of such unconditional love, even, it has to be said, despite my habit of sitting on my lady guardian's pillow and grooming her. Yes, I am an early bird, but one must ensure one's family are presentable, even if this means a grooming session at four in the morning. Do you not agree?
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