Update

I thought I should probably post something at least, even though very little is happening…

For the past couple of days I’ve been ill, it started on Thursday at work. I noticed my nose was a bit runny – although not actually needing to wipe my nose as such, suddenly at lunch time my nose dripped without any warning. Alarm bells rang and I went out on the hunt for balm tissues knowing what was coming.

Finally 4pm arrived and I was out of the office like a shot to take a bus as quickly as possible to begin pumping drugs into my system.

I had planned on going into work on Friday because I didn’t want to miss the last day before Christmas – lots of people are off next week so wanted to be able to wind down and relax. I’m in only on Monday, as decided to take Tuesday off as I didn’t fancy working pretty much on my own for two days with no one to talk to.

Friday morning arrived and I got up at my usual time to assess the situation with a view to going into work at the latest point I could and again running at 4 – lots of flexi built up so can afford to have a short working day.

It was quite obvious that wasn’t going to happen as my nose and eyes were still constantly running.

One highlight of being home was the visit from a flock of LTT’s,

So from Tuesday I have almost two weeks off over Christmas – so there is a good reason to work at a University!

Saturday we went out for our Christmas meal with most of the immediate family including uncles and their wives – not often we all get together. This Christmas meal actually turned into pretty much a normal meal as mum had booked it incorrectly, or the person on the phone had misunderstood I’m not sure. *and here I was saying to people it was odd we hadn’t been asked to book our food and put down a deposit. Now I know why!*
So it was a chance to see my grandparents before Christmas as we don’t get to see them on the day, we also got to see William as they’re spending Christmas with my brother’s wife’s parents before going up to Cumbria for a wedding on Saturday. Of course he was dressed up as Rudolph – why else would anyone have children if they couldn’t be dressed up as reindeer or Christmas puddings? :D

Today has been a relaxing day, I finally feel better other than living off Sudafed as my head hurts from the pressure. It’s been fairly mild, there was some sun but it dulled over and ended up raining. I managed to plant some bulbs early on though – tulip, snowdrops, anemone and iris.
Foxy has attacked some of my other pots too, still unsure what he’s going for. Does he want the bulbs? If so, why doesn’t he go for the smaller pots which must be far easier to get at the bulbs than the larger ceramic pots?? I don’t get it. Fairly annoyed at having to push the cyclamen back in though when he does!

Well, if I don’t see you before Christmas, I hope you all have a wonderful time spending it with those you love.

Gwirrel's Garden - Literally

Since this blog is supposed to be about my garden perhaps it’s time I actually posted something about it??

Let’s have a look at its progression from April to August – haven’t taken any photos more recently, perhaps I should?? Hmmm, not that there’s anything to see anymore since most plants have died away.

First we have April:

Onto May and things are beginning to flower

And onto July

As you can see a great deal hasn’t really changed, but it’s a start and as the plants mature I’m sure things will get better. I plan on extending some of the flower beds and such to allow for more, but these are the more long term plans.

I have a lovely book for planting natural gardens, as I want a garden for wildlife but also something that’s romantic and dreamy. So lots of soft flowing grasses, fluffy seed heads and such. Oooh it’s so exciting.

Frost

Well, this weekend has been somewhat frosty!

Saturday I went to a Carol Service, it’s become a tradition to go. Just a shame it takes all day, as it’s down near Nottingham so must be 30 miles away. I set out of the house at 10:15 and didn’t get back until around 4pm, all that just for an hour actually in the Minster.

We stopped off at Rufford Park too, my favourite park rather than Clumber or Sherwood. I took my Holga along, so will have photos at some point :D

I *think* I heard a Goldcrest, as it wasn’t a song I recognised. Never did see the culprit though, so I can only go by the high-pitched song. There were plenty of tits too, with piles of food on seats around, as well as birds on the lake – swans, moorhens, Canada geese, mallards and other um, water birds lol.

This weekend has brought with it some surprises.

The return of Goldie – been fairly rare since October.
Our first Crow in the garden – usually stick to the trees or rooftops.
Lots of other visitors, we have a number of Robins visiting now too.
Return of Bulliefinch, haven’t seen them since September/October.
Blackbirds finally eating my berries on the Firethorn and Cotoneaster, both are only small shrubs still but have put berries out so it was nice to see them going for them.
And the newbie:

A Chaffinch! Yay. Let’s hope she brings along her friends.

But then she could’ve been visiting for weeks now without me knowing as I never get to watch the birds anyway.

It’s just a shame I’ve been so busy all weekend, as today I’ve been out shopping with my friend and then off to see his parents and to buy our Christmas trees. (they’re like second parents to me, we grew up together. Been friends since we were 4/5)

Today remained pretty frosty, certainly on my road. The sun doesn’t get the chance to melt it – living on the hill is good for the views, not so good this time of year though! Our hoses stop the sun casting onto the road, it’s going to be fun tomorrow morning if the frost is still there, I’ll have to cling to the walls/fences again like last week when it snowed.

Anyone care to guess just exactly what this Blue tit found???

It seemed to find a sunflower heart?? Why was it in the buddleja?? I’m sure you’re aware they’re rather tall shrubs, and this must be 7’ tall, and not even close to the feeding station – it’s down by the house, feeder is at the back of the garden.

Anyway, Robin has been close to the house too this weekend:

Sorry about the poor quality, it wasn’t even fully light when I took them, around 8/9am.