Aren't these gorgeous? The usual plant stall was at Malvern Fleamarket last Sunday, and I fell in love with these beautiful bronze Rudbeckia (I think it's called "Toto"). I think I will put it in a tub as it stands a better chance of survival through the winter then.
Yesterday I got going down in the little patio garden that was mum's. The rambler rose, Banksia normalis, had gone mad, fallen off the wall, and all the biggest branches were growing outwards, so I have hacked it back HARD (a saw job) and have just a small portion of it going up the wall, but I need to get the ladder out and put some vine eyes in higher up to keep it out of the window. It's a beautiful rose, with a lovely scent, but a bit . . . enthusiastic in its growing habits!
I also took the saw to the lilac tree, which was shading everything out. We now have a very big bonfire at the bottom of the yard (getting very wet today, I might add). I shall rebuild the collapsing slate bed, top it up with compost, and plant up with bulbs for the spring.
Found! One of the roof sheets we had (buried) about the place. Unfortunately Keith managed to sprain his wrist as he turned this over, so the actual roof repair is on hold.
Finally, I treated myself to this new cast iron casserole (20cm size). When I make the no-knead 5 minute bread, I have been baking it in my oval Le Creuset casserole, but it is too big and the loaf turns out shallow. I was following some 2nd hand Le Creuset pans on Ebay, but they were going for around £35 including postage, and for £29.99 I could buy this one. This is made by Berndes. I read the reviews and it looks like it should do what I want as someone else had bought it to bake bread in. I shall report back.
Those rudbeckia are glorious. Sounds like a busy time in the garden. And the pot is a great find.
ReplyDeleteMy lucky day CT. We also found a great Victorian scrap book. I'll put some photos up tomorrow.
DeleteI love the cast iron casserole dish, a massive weakness of mine! Your garden is looking beautiful and I'm enjoying every second whilst we have it :)
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased with it, and tried it out today by making a curry in it. I want to try and "cure" it a bit before I try it for the no knead loaf. The garden is certainly tidier than it was but it looks best in June with thousands of roses blooming.
DeleteGpsh - love the rudbeckia - such a beautiful colour. I used to have half a dozen plants - all different varieties but all have disappeared :(
ReplyDeleteHope Keith's wrist is better soon and look forward to hearing how well the pot works.
RR - I couldn't resist it - the opposition was a deep red Echinacea, but this won hands down. Mine all disappeared too, hence keeping it in a big pot . . . His wrist was well enough for him to wash up tonight, which is a positive!
DeleteI love those stellar looking flowers.
ReplyDeleteAren't they gorgeous Simon? Wish I could have afforded more when I bought that one.
DeleteHi BB I love your garden too. Wild and wonderful. Reminds me if my grandparents garden and proper English garden where the plants did the speaking. Love rambling and ordinary roses especially if they are scented. I always wanted cast iron pans - the Le Creuset set. I just love them. The trouble is I am a weakling and I cannot lift them on their own let alone with something in them. So have had to go for practicality mores the pity. However I can well see why you have gone for one for making bread it is ideal. I Like the pan anyway. Sorry Keith has hurt himself and hope he is recovered soon. Love the flowers so cheerful told you colour lifts the mood.Take care sweetie Pattypanxx
ReplyDeleteGlad you like my garden Tricia. It just gets a bit feral - and has never forgotten it used to be a meadow. When we first arrived here, there had been calves grazing at the front of the house! I've had my Le Creuset pans all my married life and use them daily. They're heavy, but I've gotten used to them. I love the new one and made a chicken and veg curry in it yesterday to christen it.
ReplyDeleteKeith is on the mend again now thank you . It's his hip (Bursitis) which is more painful at the moment.
Incredible! That is some of the most gorgeous landscaping I have ever laid eyes on. YOu can tell that the various projects were done with love and a true skill for making everything look just right. I am so happy that you posted the pictures on here to show us all how it was done. Thank you and bless you!
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