1 EAGLETON NOTES: A Diary Entry: 21 April 2015

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Tuesday 21 April 2015

A Diary Entry: 21 April 2015

Since 2006 I've been in New Zealand during the winter so have I not been here in Eagleton in April. Yesterday and the previous three days have been perfect Lewis days for getting into the garden so I have been doing things about four weeks earlier than I might usually have been doing them. On Saturday morning when I woke my body reminded me in no uncertain terms of the 9 hours hard labour it had been subjected to on Thursday. Since then the physical labour has made me feel more alive and more fit (I did get a gym session in yesterday morning) than ever.

The reason I said this is a diary entry is that I would like a reminder as to when I started in the garden this spring. When I started the blog it was supposed to be part diary and part family communication tool.

These four glorious days have enabled me to fill a large wheelie bin twice with moss etc scarified from the grass (I'd like to call them lawns but that would be stretching it a little more than a tad). This should give the grass a good start this year.

I finished off the wind covers for the raised beds, did a lot of sorting out in the shed and prepared an old slip drum with drainage holes etc for use as a potato barrel in which I planted First Early potatoes. I planted the first rows of beans, peas, beetroot and lettuce and some herbs in the raised beds. I prepared pots of over-wintered begonias etc. It may be too early for all that up here but time will tell.

Then, with the help of a pickaxe to get at the deep roots, I took out a hedge of hebes to give light to the rockery, a better view of the perennials in the other part of the garden and generally open up the garden.

The outdoor chairs have been sanded and painted. In summer they live in front of the kitchen window giving a view over the pond, the front garden, the Bay and The Minch over to the Mainland.

Old slip holding drum with it's new use for potatoes
The back grass area duly scarified and it's first mow (it's had two more sessions since that was taken).
One of the new raised vegetable beds ready for its covers and planting 
The wind covers (which should also protect plants from the pigeons and other birds too)
The garden with the hebe hedge
and without
All ready for morning coffee in the sun (the chairs were a present from the ladies in the Pottery when I sold it 10 years ago).
They are a constant reminder of good company and are very well used.

32 comments:

  1. Hmm part dirty communication tool ~ can't wait for that bit :-p

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    1. Thanks Carol. It's duly corrected. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I check I still see what I expect to see these days.

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    2. Believe me you are not alone Graham ~ but I chuckled at the thought of your Freudian slip.

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    3. So did I Carol, once you'd pointed it out.

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    1. Thanks Sue. You'd have loved it up here the last few days.

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  3. A lot of work, but it looks beautiful. Enjoy your coffee out there!

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    1. Thank you Lisa. The work oxygenates the blood and is most invigorating. The coffee allows time for reflection.

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  4. Wow, you were busy!! Coffee (and more) with such a spectacular view is very well deserved.
    Not entirely sure about the hedge; I think it looked good with it, too.

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    1. It did Meike and it was with mixed feelings that I removed it but I think it was the right decision. Time will tell.

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  5. Oh, how I envy you that stunning view, Graham! Beautiful.

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    1. Frances I always say that if I ever put the house on the market I would advertise it as rather an ugly hotch-potch of a house but with views second to none.

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  6. I heard it said on Swedish radio this morning that 70 is the new 20. Your blog entry seems to confirm it! Lovely views of your garden, thanks for sharing them with the "extended family" of Blogland as well.

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    1. Monica 70 being the new 20 seems to be pushing it a bit but certainly 70 now is not the 70 of my grandparents' generations. I was going to say parents' generation but my parents were still climbing mountains in their 70s and were very active in their 80s too.

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  7. You have a very pleasant place to live.

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  8. Your garden is really looking stunning - a lot of work has gone into it I can see. Reminds me now I am home I need to start on mine!

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    1. Serenata I've been away and busy (as you can see) since my visitors went so I haven't caught up with your escapades. I will do so on the next rainy day!

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  9. Wonderful industry. AND gym. Ye Gods. I take my metaphorical hat off to you.

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    1. Thank you Kate. But then I know how busy you are in so many ways.

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  10. WOW!! You've been incredibly busy...good for you...everything looks super cute and ready for an incredible summer.

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    1. I do hope so Virginia. There's a lot happening at the moment. I'll email soon(ish).

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  11. Looks wonderful! How satisfying to have done it. It all looks great. One of the photos reminds me of Sorrento. I bet not many people have said that about Lewis!

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    1. Jenny I've not been to Sorrento but as a lover of Italy I take it as a great compliment. You are, though, almost certainly correct in your statement that few will have said that of Lewis.

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  12. Looks wonderful to me, too, GB. You certainly have some spectacular views from your house. And your gardens look lovely. xoxox

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    1. DeeDee I am exceptionally fortunate in both respects.

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  13. Anyone would agree that is a view second to none. Can't wait to park my butt on one of those chairs and enjoy the fruits of your labour. On a day such as that one was, hopefully.

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  14. My oh my you have been busy! Weather like this brings people out and recharges the old batteries. I did five hours in our garden on Monday and felt quite saintly afterwards.

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    1. Up here YP when one gets weather like this I spend as much time doing outside jobs as I Ça va?. Today it was fence painting.

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    2. Well the spillchucker excelled itself there then.

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  15. It looks perfect.....In fact too perfect. Let us hope for a wind, rain and midge free summer so that you can enjoy it.

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