Violets, Lambs, and Lily of the Valley

This afternoon Harry and I visited Arnold,  he's looking great and really enjoyed his treats - but I think most of all he was happy to see young Harry.  Then we went across to the fish pond and walked along the riverbank.  We followed the sound of bleating lambs.  Poor little Number 43 had lost his mother.  He was desolate.  

Poor lonely No. 43!  Maaamaaa.

We watched for a few minutes but there was no grand reunion.  Eventually we left them to it as we were distracting them.  I hope they have found one another now.


The hedgerows in the lanes are filled with wonderful spring flowers.  The snowdrops have given way to daffodils which are just beginning to look a little tired in places, primroses, aconites, and clumps of violets - if you look carefully.

 Sweet little bunch of violets - image borrowed

Even when we are busy in the garden I still manage to fit in plenty of walks.  I love flowers for their beauty, but I particularly enjoy them when they are scented.  I have to check each clump of violets to see whether any of them have that elusive, wonderful perfume.  So often I am disappointed.  


Today I found a tiny clump of violets which are scented!  The reward for my persistence, I guess.  

Borrowed image of an old-fashioned violet seller

While fighting dragons in the woods, with Harry, I was also thrilled to see the first signs of a small clump of Lily of the Valley coming through.  I have tried growing them for the last 16 years, without success.    I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that finally I have got some going.

Lily of the Valley - borrowed image -  as mine are not yet in flower.

Lily of the Valley was my mother's favourite flower, she died 16 years ago and it has been my personal mission to grow some in memory of her.  All those years of disappointment have been swept away by seeing those  six or seven spikes and tiny flower buds.


George is going to put a temporary, protective cage around them - I don't want clumsy dragons, or the Gruffalo trampling them.   I have my fingers crossed that these will naturalise and be happy, but I'll get some more planted and keep on trying.  

The Inside Story on the Polytunnel...

I won't bore you with the details of how we got the cover onto the framework of the polytunnel, a wonderful, humorous version can be found here.  Covering the polytunnel was relatively easy, compared to the backbreaking work of making a good level base, digging out huge tree stumps, digging 14 deep pits to hold the base plates, etc.  


Still, that is history - even if my back is still protesting!   George's sciatic problems have resolved themselves, thank goodness.


Inside is very messy, there is still a lot of work to do.  Staging to make,  water supply, electrical supply, flooring, vegetable beds to create... it will all get done as we work on it every day.


The plants are enjoying this new and wonderfully protected space. 


Harry carried his garden chair across, yesterday, and then insisted that Toby and the cats should have a cushion each.  He wants us all to have a picnic in there.   He may not be 4 until later in the year, but he is a surprisingly good helper as he whizzes around with his little wheelbarrow and gardening tools.  He was given a tiny pair of strong gardening gloves a few weeks ago - happiness!   He is very proud of them and doesn't seem to mind at all that they are a bright, zingy lime green.

This is not how it will look in a week or two.
We have just brought all the plants/seedlings out of the conservatory
and put them down where we could.

I can't believe how many plants, seedlings, trays of seeds George had managed to cram into the conservatory and the small greenhouse.  He has got us off to a flying start this year with peas, broad beans, runner beans, mangetout, leeks, tomato plants, special heritage tomato plants,  kale, potatoes, beetroot, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, lettuces, cucumbers, courgettes, herbs, etc etc.  We, and the neighbours,  should dine like kings this year!  

Salads, stir-fry's, creamy risottos, vegetable flans, soups, simple roasted vegetables...   

It was hard work.  
Was it worth it?  Absolutely!  
Would I do it again?   Yes, but not for a week or two.


PS  George has just announced that the armoured cable has just gone into the polytunnel.  We have power out there, things are progressing.


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Bonus picture, for Jonny.  This is Francesca at almost 10 weeks!  

Working In the Polytunnel

This wonderful illustration, which I bought many years ago, shows what the climate is like inside the new polytunnel - George would love to put in a few hours of this kind of work!


Okay, so I have weakened already.  I'll try just doing the occasional posting plus reading, as and when.


Hey Ho!


xx