Creature Comforts

With winter drawing nearer each day my conscience was playing on me to spend some time making modifications to the cubby house so that both Baxter and  Moustachio could be accommodated. Prior to this one of them needed to live in the hutch under the cubby which has been deteriorating and becoming less and less resistant to wet weather.
A trial session proved that if I let them habitate together they would exhaust themselves trying to climb on top of each other and chase each other in circles. Fortunately there was no aggression.
So much to Rod's frustration I set about attaching wire and pieces of timber to give each rabbit it's own hutch. I did not want to spend too much time on the temporary alterations so it is fairly rough - hence Rod's frustration. But I feel more comfortable knowing that they will be more comfortable.
Moustachio promptly jumped out of his hutch, so modifications and additions were needed to secure him in his space.
So now Father and son can be together, separated only by wire.

ANZAC DAY

RIP Clyde Kemp 1919 - 2008

Pot full of prickles

This glazed black pot which sits on the stone table in the courtyard has had many different plantings . The first was a miniature bamboo. Then there was an electric pink cordyline which I shifted to a terracotta pot, fearful that this one was too shallow for the plant long term. The cactus which is proving very successful is producing new growth and filling out well, despite being trimmed by my pet rabbits. My interest in cactus and succulents is growing lately as I really start to study them in detail, appreciating the broad range of shapes and forms.

Turning Japanese

Anemone x hybrida

 A recent addition of Japanese Windflowers between the Japanese Maples are looking cheerie and fresh. I hope that once they settle in they will spread and the delightful flowers will peak out over the Buxus hedge.

Archaeological Dig

 Recently whilst Rod was moving some mounds of dirt that had been accumulated when leveling  the area for the barn he unearthed a piece of slate. When he found another and then another he remembered that we had stock piled some surplus stone a long time ago. So long ago that I had forgotten it even existed. On revealing his find, I stopped work where I was and joined him in revealing what we hope is all the lost slate. I now feel another project coming on.

Gardening with Sid

 My grandfather was a passionate gardener. After he passed away and the estate was being finalised and the house and garden were being cleared for sale, this item was given to Rod and I as we had a big property and would probably find a use for it. It is now about 25 years later and only because Rod remembered how we came to have this tool that I have embraced it as my most treasured garden implement. Not only for it's sentimental value but because I find it easier than most tools to dig holes for planting. Before my acknowledgement Rod had been using it to dig many a trench. The shaping on the end is just the thing for making a start, even in our hardened, clay soils. I like that not only have I Pop's tool, but I also have his passion.

Trenching Shovel

Sidney John Roe's Stetson 

I also have one of Pop's hats. It is well worn and probably the one he wore in the garden, not the one he would have worn for best. My appreciation of this item was immediate from when I took possession of it. It sits on a reproduction luggage rack and looks quite the part. 

The Real Deal

The green green grass of home