Spring

 

Spring arrived yesterday but sadly it didnt stay and there is a cold biting wind again today, I made the most of yesterday's sunshine by visiting the Walled Garden at Sunbury-on-Thames and for the first time this year I was able to sit outside in the sun to drink a cup of coffee.

 

Here are some of the flowers in the Walled Garden

 

 

 

Another attraction in the walled garden is the gallery which houses the Sunbury Millenium Embroidery - an amazing  village project which celebrated the new millenium and was worked on by 160 local people

 http://www.sunburyembroidery.co.uk/

 

Alexander and Pebbles keep warm by sitting on top of the boiler 

I really enjoyed watching the television series 'Mr Selfridge' and decided to go  to London last week and revisit the store.
I was fascinated by this decoration on the side of the store near the entrance to the Food Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

More flowers

This variegated wallflower ( Erysimum linifolium)  grows on a raised bed on our patio and I can see it from the kitchen window. It has been flowering for several weeks now. 

Scillas add a welcome touch of colour

 

This beautiful planter with Violas and Muscari was a Mothering Sunday present from my daughter Emma

 

and this lovely posy card a present from our kind neighbour

 

Bobby won first prize at nursery in this Easter Bonnet made with some help from his Mum

 

Irises

I hope to grow lots of irises this year, They are one of my favourite flowers and I dont think deer eat them, This is especially important as a pair of deer seem to have taken up residence in our garden. My first purchase of the year was an Algerian Iris bought at the Hardy Plant Society February meeting



http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=3291


Iris reticulata are always one of the first signs of spring,


http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Harlow-Carr/About-Harlow-Carr/Plant-of-the-month/March/Iris-reticulata


I would also like to grow Tigridia again. I grew them in pots on the patio in the 1990s when we had a spell of hot summers and mild winters and they self seeded in the patio cracks, They have all disappeared so hope to be successful with new bulbs


http://www.google.com/imgres?

The sun is shining and today it really does feel as though spring is coming. The last week has been bitterly cold. We were on the Isle of Wight visiting our son's family yesterday and it was just as cold there with icy winds. We went to the Chequers in Rookley to eat in the evening and I had a delicious 'veggie roast' from their carvery.  

http://www.chequersinn-iow.co.uk/index.php

 

My small grandson Bobby stayed with us for 2 nights last week. I took him to our local Farm Shop. As we arrived there I heard a little voice from the back of the car saying 'Polar Bears Nanna'. He had seen the alpacas ! He really enjoyed his visit especially as he was allowed to feed the chickens and look for eggs

 http://www.elmnursery.co.uk/Elm_Nursery/Home.html

 

 

Our first taste of spring last month was a visit to the Central Parks in Southampton

http://www.southampton.gov.uk/s-leisure/parksgreenspaces/citycentreparks/default.aspx

 

Here are some of the early spring flowers Bobby and I  saw there 

Victoria Garden in Farnham is a delightful Town Centre Garden. I visited it on my way home from 'Unravel' a fantastic knitting/crochet show held annually at Farnham Maltings

These Daffodils were one of the first signs of spring in my garden

 Broad Beans plants in a tub in the greenhouse

This is my first post for a very long time and I will give a quick resume of some of the events of last year!

The Queens Diamond Jubilee was celebrated last June. You have probably read or seen some coverage of the magnificent official events.

There were celebrations all over the country and I think most families were involved in some way.

Guildford Castle Grounds had a stunning display of colourful carpet bedding  celebrating the Jubilee.

 

I made this cushion to celebrate the Jubilee

and this one to give to a friend who is moving away from London, 

Our daughter Susannah and her husband Jon, who live in Wisconsin, USA celebrated the Jubilee with a tea party for their friends. One of her cats is helping to decorate their home with the Union Jack.

Roger and I and our friend Julie went to the Big Picnic at Hampton Court Palace. The Queen wasn't scheduled to attend but we caught a glimpse of her and the Duke as they drove past Hampton Court on their way to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Epsom Racecourse. The Big Picnic was a great success with over 13,000 people attending. Entry to the gardens was free. Stalls sold delicious food and there were traditional games and races for the children.

Roger and Julie getting ready to enjoy their picnic at Hampton Court Palace

The Jubilee was celebrated in our road with a Big Lunch .

Here is Roger and some of our neighbours

Grandson Bobby enjoyed the party

 

 

 

Son Charles and his wife Maria were thrilled to be able to attend the picnic and concert at Buckingham Palace

Here is Charles at the Palace entrance

 

 

 

 

Maria collects the picnic hamper

 

 

 

 

 

Guildford Institute celebrated with a 1950s tea party

 

Here are some of the early summer flowers in my garden last year

Here are some of the flowers I saw when I visited the London Squares Open Day last June

 

 

 

 

My New Years resolution is to be a more frequent blogger!