STILL NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE REST OF YOU!
Yes, I'm easily distracted! Also, inclined to laziness. And, to add to that mix, I'm having problems with a camera.
A last, stubborn Magnolia.
But I'll see if I can find something to entertain you. We had a whirly day of wind rushing around the yard, first blowing yellow peach leaves into a golden carpet under the clothes-line. Then, on a wind whim, blowing them all back across the yard and around the wall onto our terrace. Then a brief-but-heavy shower.
The blackbirds have been a nuisance amongst my pots of bulbs. Some now have mesh covers, which helps, but I'll need to get some more twigs, I think.
One more spot of garden colour before I brave the elements...a gorgeous bright red geranium
You've probably noticed a change in my page background? Well, my eyes were finding the colour and layout, which looked lovely in a trial elsewhere, were too glaring and I couldn't be fagged trying to make it less-so!
So, I'll post this and if anyone finds it awkward to read, please let me know.
Rainy season starting up here....diluvian downpours and thunderstorms....have to get the washing done overnight to give it a chance to dry in the mornings before the skies darken...
ReplyDeleteI risked it yesterday and got most of it in and on a rack. A few small bits are just out there...getting extra rinses! But this will see a LOT more colourful leaves blowing around...
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand weather sounds like a back to front version of the UK [or vice versa!]
ReplyDeleteYour blog page looks very clean, and Springlike.
Sx
We are, pretty much, the flip side of your coin! Well, you get more snow of course.
DeleteYour opening lines could easily describe me, too. As well as laziness & distraction, my camera's zoom is crunching & grinding (some sand caught in it, I expect) which is causing more than a little annoyance. Fortunately, I've just got a better phone (second hand) with a better camera, so that's taking the edge off.
ReplyDeleteSeeing that magnolia reminds me to try and take a cutting of one in the village. Most magnolias around here are the spring flowering ones, but this one's an autumn variety like yours.
As for blackbirds being a nuisance. Yes! And shrill. And scheming. For your sake, I hope the ones around there are not related to Beaky.
While I dislike digital phones, my last one had a fabulous camera; so good it was worth holding the damn' thing together with 2 strong rubber bands! The Man has a mobile phone, but doubt he knows about its camera;p'raps I'll borrow it and see what its like...
DeleteI think the blog looks just fine and it was a lovely surprise to have you pop up today! I hope you have more luck with the pest as the plants get bigger. This spring so far, I have yet seen at pillars or aphids yet on anything...knock on wood. It's been a pleasing garden thus far.....
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of jars with cuttings , taking root in plain ol' tap water and I'll pot them up soon, but will NOT risk planting-out in case of frost.
DeleteHurrah! The all-new-look Dinah's back! I love Magnolia grandiflora, but despite having such huge and showy flowers, all the dense leaf on the tree does tend to take their impact away somewhat.
ReplyDeletePests are the bane of our lives, too. We often find that the plants that the slugs and snails don't attack or else don't damage much - true geraniums (not pelargoniums like the one pictured), fuchsias, aquilegia, clematis - instead get attacked by caterpillars, and yes, they are devilishly difficult to find unless you go out at night with a torch... Sigh.
Still, roll on your new bulb display! Jx
Yes, good eyesight or a magnifier help when looking for the little sods! I don't like to spray so do need to be regular in looking for bugs. And the wind over the past few days has knocked off a few fuschia flowers!
DeleteI look forward to seeing what your plants are doing...
I like the green - ties in nicely with planty bits in photos! And call me weird, the weather sounds delightful. [I used to fantasize about traveling all year, following autumn around the world.]
ReplyDeleteAh...the floral fantasies!
DeleteYes, if money were no object, I'd like to travel-the-seasons. That said, we are enjoying glorious autumn days now. Early mornings? Not so much!