genialgemsandothergabblings

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly feeding on a Sedum at Myerscough plant centre yesterday and also there, was a Red Admiral. I have seen a few of these in our garden but much more common to see has been the Peacock butterfly this year. The Tortoiseshell is found in almost all seasons of the year and hibernates in caves , lofts and outbuildings. it can be seen out on the wing from march onwards even in big city parks. The spider was just about to catch a Bee that had got caught in it's web but maybe I dislodged it as I was about to take the picture , as he luckily flew off and the Spider had to do without lunch. The spiders webs can be easily seen now that dewy mornings are more common, in fact you have to be careful not to walk into one as you venture out in the garden! I bought some bulbs to plant up a container as you always have a better display if you use fresh stock each year . On the way back home on the boat it began to rain and by the time we were about to moor up it was la...

It may still feel like summer down in the South of England but this week I can feel a change to a touch of early Autumn. This morning we had a really heavy dew and the flowers are all going over now quickly. The bees still come to seek out nectar when we have a bit of sun and the last butterflies go to the apples fallen on the grass but it no longer feels like Summer to me. Last week I cycled down to Longton B rickcroft nature reserve and took the swan pictures .I shared a little bit of my lunch with the swan family but they are well looked after by local people who go there walking their dogs ,or just for a lovely stroll. At the weekend we went out for a day on the boat up to Garstang , which is where I took the butterfly photo, down on the nettles by the river. There were fewer swallows out on the wing but we did spot a couple of large brown dragonflies while the sun was out.

We headed to the coast today following the sun but first we followed a trail from a book we picked up a week or two ago, that led us to a farm shop and restaurant nr Burscough where we had a delicious lunch. As we drove up and got out of the car, we were greeted by a cheeky and very friendly Collie who dropped his ball at our feet in the hope we were the kind of People he liked[we were] and that we would take the hint to throw it! Then a little family of chickens made an appearance . On the way we came across a stall selling Great big beautiful Sunflowers which I couldn't help but stop and take a photo of. They are grown on the farm there. Then we were off to our real destination 'Another Place' ,Anthony Gormleys Statues on Blundellsands beach nr Liverpool. It was perfect weather and we had a lovely walk along the sands taking pictures and breathing in fresh air which was what we both needed after a rather horrible week. There are some great places on our doors...

After the rain this morning it was so nice to see the sun later this afternoon.A little bit of warmth from it's rays soon has the bees out buzzing over the nectar laden plants and at last today, I saw a few butterflies. One ,a lovely Red Admiral landed on a white plastic bag I was taking down to the summerhouse, much to my surprise and later there were two or more Painted ladies on the Buddleja [ yes I spelt it wrong the other day!] a couple of large bees too. Maybe the answer is to put some white plastic bags all over the garden... they might have a use after all! The teasel is a real insect attraction, every time I look over it there are bugs and bees, it just looks so fascinating and it has a way of collecting water in the large cups that occur on the stem and in this water drown many insects that attempt to ascend the tall stem and their remains are absorbed by the plant as a food. Clever stuff ! The apples on the tree must be liking all the rain as they are much further alon...

When I was up in the lakes recently I picked up some leaflets on a couple of garden centres that were new to me and yesterday we decided to have a run out and visit them.Ashton Hall Garden Centre was one and very nice it was too. I was looking with the intention of buying some plants that attract butterflies into the garden and bees too. The bee in the photo here was taken the other day in our garden on the buddliea but I haven't seen many butterflies around yet. I actually ended up buying some herbs as the bees were all over the flowers on them. After an afternoon stop down by the canal at Galgate for tea and cakes we headed home to do a few more garden jobs, hedges and weeding and I found a few things ready to be harvested. The peas have been good and an easy crop so I will definitely be growing more of them, then I picked a some herbs and lettuce for a summer salad. Now I wouldn't mind seeing just a bit more summer sun!

I have been having a change and as you see the blog looks slightly different. Last week I took myself off for 4 days to the Lakes, only 40mins from here and a completely different world. Walking boots on I had a lovely time walking along the meadows and lanes , stopping to sit and take in the wonderful views. The exercise and fresh air and scenery soon recharge your battery and off you go again!