Inspiring Path

Via Pinterest

Some lovely shapes in this path. 

This would be a good way to develop my garden path, 

adding to my ceramic "stepping stones".

On the look out for (more) interesting junk to bring home : ) 

Lovin' it

The sun shines on and warm weather continues

 so I can do some of my work sitting in the garden.

While others enjoy the facilities too.

Nice here isn't it!





Clay in the garden



Chamomile and thyme grow between slabs and creep over the edges.

 

Stoneware fired with oxides - needs more colour.



 

Bluebird, I think this will go in the kiln again to add more colour.



The path, and indeed the whole garden, is a work in progress

 so these slabs are scattered around.

 There's an owl somewhere too.

Festive Birds

 I made a batch of little porcelain ornaments as gifts.
The designs are based on medieval stone carvings.

 As ever, my chum the robin has to be in on the scene

 - his territory I guess.



Painting on Clay

 Two little slabs of clay for the garden!

 I'm trying a variety of decoration techniques for my ceramic garden tiles.

These are painted with coloured slips and oxides - no glaze

- and then high fired, so they should be tough and weather proof.

This is a nice, quick way of decorating.

In future I will be a little bolder with the colours and marks.

I could see them incorporated into a wall

 like these in Derbyshire. 



Red Red Red

This little guy comes to have a bath in my garden every day.

He always comes to investigate what I'm up to when I go into the garden. If I start to pull up weeds or dig, he gets right up close. Today he found lots of pickings.

He's sitting here on the pot of my japanese maple which, at the moment, is looking pretty hot!

 

 

 

 





Little Bit of Paradise

 This has been a challenging year for gardening in the UK.

Two plants that have excelled in my garden, however, are the tall and airy verbena and these radiant nasturtiums. 

 All loved by bees.

The place is buzzing!.

Oh, and the courgettes have got out of hand again!



Sweet Sweetpeas

 So delicate and destined to last only a day or two.

This tiny bunch fills the whole room with it's perfume.



Sunshine After The Rain

I do hope that, no matter I old I get, I will always feel that joy of discovering new sights, sounds and changes with each season turn.

A Warwickshire view late afternoon yesterday.

My photograph does not capture the colour I saw. A lovely walk with only light showers but the wellington boots were absolutely essential.  

Cut Down in Their Prime

48 hours ago my lupins stood tall, the envy of my neighbour.

Now they're weighed heavy with rain and battered by wind. : (

Soak up the Sun!

Today was the first for weeks that I've been at home without rain. I was able to investigate the garden and discovered plenty has been happening. Whilst it poured on and on I busied myself with other things - chores indoors. I've missed the outdoors but I can see that, for my garden at least, the rain has been beneficial. 

Now we're all greatful for some sunshine - its free!

Want what you've got.



 

 I planted just four runner beans

 in the hope of getting three.

I didn't want to over do things and have a glut.

But I only got one.

I planted the whole packet of sweetpeas - I thought I might as well.

All twenty four growing strong!



Pot Sale!

The Whichford Pottery sale, Warwickshire, has begun.

A field of seconds.

There's always great planting by Harriet Rycroft.

  

 I love succulents and they look great in these pots by Gordon Cooke 

As well as the sale there's an exhibition by Japanese ceramicists in the gallery.

I had a nosey at the working pottery, enjoyed tea and cake and got lots of ideas.



May to September

Thank you to the previous occupants who planted these shrubs in my garden. Perfect blossom in spring and now a fabulous show of berries.

Hidden treasure at the bottom of my garden.

What a lovely day!

Since moving here my ventures into the back garden have consisted only of dashes to and from the bin or to quickly stash things in the shed - often in the dark.

Today I lingered, fed the birds, poked around, considered some changes and spied just a few of these little gems. It'll be interesting to see what else is hidden under the surface.

My green fingers are itching. The soil is too cold but I'm making plans.