Out-and-about again

Yesterday we decided to see what the roads around our local area were like after the heavy rain and potential flooding. Floods are an ongoing, severe problem for those further afield.  We didn't know what to expect and, therefore, stayed on the high roads where we live with the aim of doing a circular drive stopping briefly at the nearest garden nurseries for some more hyacinth bulbs and plant feed to put under the fruit trees.

We stopped on the brow of  a hill and I walked down to take a look at the view of the Don Valley 

from the top road making sure I didn't slip on the wet leaves on the pavement.

These chickens and geese were roaming around and the geese started to follow me although they could not get too near because of the high retaining wall.  Their hissing was disconcerting.  A lady who was walking by down the hill laughed and told me that the geese always hiss as locals go by this house and land. 

We drove down into the next village that merges with ours and along another lane that overlooks the Don Valley and by this time dark clouds were rolling over.

Along this lane we encountered some flooding and back in our own village/suburb the weather had certainly changed so that by the time we arrived home the drizzly rain meant we were pleased to have gone out, but also glad to be back home again.  Thankfully the rain didn't last for too long, but the weather remains unpredictable.

Friday Bliss #45: Visits to our local garden centre

A short drive from where we live is a reservoir and two garden centres set in extensive grounds overlooking the valley.  There's a café in both garden centres so we're drawn there often for a few hours of relaxation without having to go far to find beautiful views and ideas for our garden.

There are many mature trees and areas where plants are growing so one particular garden centre is a favourite as it's more like wandering around a park and you can sit outside at the café and watch the birds feeding from the bird feeders surrounded by beautiful plants.  It also has a loyalty card system so if you go often you can get a little off the price of plants and there's a good stock of unusual plants. At the moment I go and look for bargains in the end-of-season sale section.

Usually there are different varieties of bird. The little sparrows are

just as welcome as the more colourful ones.

I 

I like the way the garden ornaments are displayed alongside pots of plants that would look good together to create a themed area.  The peacock was standing on a display surrounded by bonsai and Japanese garden accessories. 

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Delphinium 'Excalibur Pink and White', 

'Excalibur Dark Blue and White'

I found two delphiniums in the bargain section £2.50 each

and also a yellow hollyhock for the same price.

Yesterday we went back to the garden centre to get a lining for a hanging basket  and there were lots of new plants in stock so we chose a tray of mixed Sweet William. Thinking ahead for next year I chose a packet of oriental poppy seeds 'Lauren's Grape' and an aloe vera.  The aloe vera has seedlings that I can transplant later.

Joining Riitta's Friday Bliss # 45

Friday Bliss # 40: gardening, local neighbourhood

Many of the delicate flowers in the garden are looking a little bedraggled after all the rain that we've been experiencing lately.  On the other hand, the plants in the shelter of the covered area are doing well and there have been more blooms to delight us. Even the cherry tomatoes are ripening.  

fragrant longiflorum lilies

We had an amaryllis that was given to us for New Year 2018 on a table in the covered yard that we hoped would come back to life and produce flowers again. After stripping back some of the excess leaves and leaving it for months it recently produced two buds so I brought the plant indoors to enjoy.

Amaryllis 'Dancing Queen'

 oriental poppies 'Royal Wedding' in our garden 

oriental poppies in the local churchyard garden

Joining Riitta's Friday Bliss linkup