Afew photo's of a small nature reserve only 5 minutes down the road from me



One of two information boards

I think this is a Pochard(gladly accept correction)

A Coot

One of a pair of Mute Swans

The reserve is based around a balancing pond( part of the flood defences), a large amount of work has been carried out recently plus much replanting.This is a credit to Gloucester city council and the department of the enviorment. I don't believe theres any thing rare to be seen, how ever theres diversity.

No. two information board

Bloody weather, nothing is growing properly

Nearly the end of May and most plants seem to be lagging. The brief hot spell in late march got things moving only for them to be checked by cool weather and cold nights, drought then strong winds.Hopefully June will be kind and the garden bloom and develop better.Sadly only about four weeks until the longest day, how quickly time flies as you get older.
                                                                                            I was amused this morning sat in my hide, a Magpie landed on the over head trellis, cocked his head to one side and gave a long stare at me,proceeded  to pull a piece of bark off then dropped it on me! perhaps he wanted too see if I was living .Strange that when I'm sat in there birds don't immediately notice me, Ive had tits feed as near as a couple of feet( 60 c.m.)

Another gorgeous cactii in flower

                                                                                                                                                            

Sweet William

 The Sweet Williams have done well this year. Their scent is a joy, a member of the Carnation family and easy to grow.                    

The humble potato has a delightful flower

My beloved hide with protected veg patch in the foreground

I always grow a few buckets of potato's in my green house. Grown in peat and sand planted the second week in January I get some nice tasty new pots around start of June.

An interesting fact is that you can graft tomato's onto potato's

I have started the year off with Peas, Salsify, Cos lettuce and Carrots(James  Scarlet)

Some photographs of my hide(not yet covered by growth)

view west-------------

view north east

                                 

view north

viewnorth east

view north west

conservatory from inside the hide

My animal family (tame)

Babsy (16 years old)

1 lazy cat (Bubbles)

5 baby rabbits (no names yet)

Bugsy (Lion head)

Sheila(Old English X Angorra)

Dealing with a dreary day

Although this time of year is full of expectations,the weather is"up & down" and can be depressing, so I decided on a clean up and prep day.Out came the spent daffodil grass, chick weed and rogue pansy seedlings,some compost spread and granular fertilizer added to my main summer annual boxes. This year I decided at the rear to have Zinnia (Chiltons seeds "Queen Lime" ) Then at the front Silene and Violas, in the secondary box Zinnias( dwarf type -Lidels only 28p per pkt) and French Marigolds . Sounds good but will probably look a mess hahaha . All my tubs have just been planted with Geraniums(100+60 free -Jersey plants direct) Bloody good buy only lost 6 plants(plugs) As I am suffering bad today I shall publish a photo of my efforts tomorrow, such as arthritis is .

an expanation of my self

All my life as far as I can remember, I have been fascinated with nature, probably due to my Father being a keen gardener,my mother a soft as they come animal lover.Not to have some plants or animal to care for has never been the case. Recently ,due to ill health, I found myself less active and sitting around more than ever before in my life,consequently I have decided to blog my observations and antics in hope I feel more positive about life again and along the way give some interest and pleasure to my fellow humans.