In a week where the light levels have been low, and days short, it has been warm and without rain, so a little planting out, and tidying up has been possible. I came across a small slow worm probably seeing its first winter, and as it started to move in my warm hand, I moved it towards the edge of the garden to some soil with a good covering of leaves.
On Thursday morning we enjoyed a fine looking fox as it jumped onto the top of the stone wall where it stood looking around for two or three minutes. Looking straight towards us it effortlessly jumped down, walked down down the path, explored the area close to us, then both sides of the house which ,to the fox who cannot open a gate, are in effect dead ends. Because he reappeared he obviously had not jumped over. His return did not follow the garden paths as he first did, but took a straight line across the garden. Just like out view of the badger in the garden in June 2020, this close up view of the fox will be cherished for a long time.
1.' Purple 4 Polio' crocus bought at the local 'Charity Market' last Sunday are either Crocus tommasinianus – Ruby Giant (deep purple) or Barrs Purple (light purple).
They have now been planted and that clump of crocus will be forever called Purple 4 Polio Crocus 2021.
I hadn't realised the market was on, and having just gone out for a leg stretch was delighted to find the town in a friendly buzz. What a great idea to raise funds, the link above sends you to where you may choose to buy 4000. I remember Polio was around when I was young in Mauritius, and all of us at school we given the sugar cube and the purple smudge. That was the first time I had seen a sugar cube! When I was older we had a very good young Geography teacher, and she had callipers on her legs, yes polio had ravaged through the population and I thanks to the vaccine I and most of my friends had been spared.
2. All the winds and the rain over the past few weeks meant that all three pots of Japanese Grass Hakonechloa macra Albostriata were starting to shed, of course it could just be that time of the year, luckily it does regrow its being foliage each spring.
With the possibility of all the garden being covered, it was a swift 'back and sides, and top'.
3. Pseudowinteria colorata Red Leopard is adding a nice splash of colour and 'evergreeness'. This shrub is ever patient and resilient, having been moved in and out of pots and around the garden.
tall enough to escape the slugs, or maybe the slugs and snails have a special table set up with Christmas goodies?
5. Down at ground level, buoyed by the recent balmy, damp long nights, the slugs and yes caterpillars have plenty of time to much on this pretty little primrose. Port and Lemon reminding me of 'old fashioned drinks', and being a little worse for wear the following day. Except I drink very little and I don't think I have ever had 'Port and Lemon'. A decent local apple juice suits me very nicely or else a local cider. Party games: hunt the caterpillar there are several kings, the large ones gain extra points.
I didn't know the Pseudowinteria colorata, it's true that it gives a beautiful red colour in winter. About the Hakonechloa
ReplyDeleteit remains a favourite for me! ( I have to add one !)
Happy Christmas to you too and yours and take care
I wasn't aware of the Purple 4 Polio campaign though I had heard of the difficulties that have meant that Polio continues to spread in certain parts of the world. Encouraging the planting of Purple crocus is a lovely way to highlight that campaign.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wildlife treat for you, as you say, one to cherish. Inspired crocus idea, I also remember the sugar cube and thinking what a treat. Love that pseudowintera, fabulous winter colour. Have a great Christmas Sis, hears to a brilliant 2022. We can only hope x
ReplyDeleteHow interesting to read about your childhood in Mauritius, must have been lovely there. I think Frida Kahlo got Polio as a child, so devastating. Good luck outwitting the squirrels!
ReplyDeleteOh to have slow worms. I saw one many years ago when out on a walk in the country. Fascinating things. The Japanese Grass is lovely. My Bellis daisies were looking very ropey the other week. I must check on them tomorrow. I hope the oyster shells work.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to see a fox in your garden! There are reportedly a few red fox on the peninsula where I live but I've never seen one. We have plenty of coyotes, raccoons, skunks and possums, though. Last year, I had a number of visits by peacocks, introduced here early in the last century, but none paid a visit this year. As they shriek horribly and can wreck a garden, that's just as well ;)
ReplyDeleteYou certainly have a wide range of mammals of course quite exotic to us, except we have the US grey squirrels now instead of our smaller red ones.
DeleteInteresting to hear about your time in Mauritius but polio is an awful disease. You certainly entertain plenty of wildlife. I do like your Number 3, much more than an evergreen. Have a Happy Christmas 🎄 See you next year.
ReplyDeleteYou have me at an advantage, I cannot guess who 'unknown' is.
DeleteOh I've never seen a slow worm in my life Noelle - you areso fortunate to have them as garden visitors. Not so sure about the foxes though. Foxes visit us ocasionally - one year with cubs in tow. I remember a boy at my primary school whose mobility was affected by polio. I had a polio vaccine at a young age along with various other vaccines for childhood illnesses. Lifesavers as they still are now.
ReplyDeleteI too hope the foxes don't make a habit of coming into the garden, with no lawn, they would really cause havoc amongst the plants.
DeleteNever seen a slow worm here, but that's not to say there aren't any! Interesting to read about the polio camoaign - I have vague memories of receiving some drug taken with sugar... Your jasmine looks cheery
ReplyDelete