curiouswombat: (notes from a small island)
curiouswombat ([personal profile] curiouswombat) wrote2012-06-17 05:44 pm
Entry tags:

Sunday Pic Spam

Hmm - life has been busy, but without any excitement, recently. Back at work - playing catch-up, but not exciting - just got a few 'thank you's which make me happy, but are not really shareable.

The weather has been wet and windy - but wetter and windier in the south of England than we've had it - I do hope it was not too bad for the wedding, [livejournal.com profile] jay_of_lasgalen!

But today it is, at least, dry.

There are a few pictures under the cut - one is a shot I have taken before - but I think this version is even better, there is one showing why we should be flattered by our neighbours, and just a few of the few flowers that have managed to bloom despite the weather.



So - I have taken this shot before - it is taken from outside the clinic where I work, looking down to the sea with the Ben-my-Chree coming in on Tuesday morning - it was an unusual time of day for her to be doing this - she was late due to a technical problem, and seems to be closer in to shore than she was last time I took a similar picture.

Ben my Chree down Murray's Rd

Back in March I posted a couple of pictures showing the demise of the triffid out the front of the house. But it has only been in the past couple of weeks that we have finally got the paviours down and the work complete. At the moment there is only one small tub of flowers out there - it will look better with just a couple more, I think - but here we are - job done;

Front of house

Now - they do say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery - so here is our next door neighbour, flattering us -

Next Door

They started within 3 days of ours being done... and then it occurred to me that the white chippings that had been between the plants in their garden were put down with a couple of weeks of the chippings in ours, years ago! Just call us 'The Joneses'!

This is the small plant under the window in our garden -

flowers out front

I am not sure whether to take a couple of plants from out the back and relocate them, or get some new ones. There were a couple of privets in tubs out there before, which are currently out the back, which I might put back, but I think they need a bit of TLC first.

This one could go out there, perhaps - it would need a bit of a trim, first, though -

back yard 2

There is less in flower out the back yard than usual at this time of year - just a few spots of pink - a few monkey plants, ans some stocks -

Back yard 1


stocks

And the clematis growing in the pear tree - but this year it has flowered so far up, and so deep in the foliage, that it is hard to make out the flowers -

clematis

I am hoping for enough sunshine, sometime this summer, that I can sit out there and the pots be full of flowers! Maybe some scent, too. I live in hope.

D-d and a couple of her friends arrived in Rhodes this morning for a week - at least they will have some sunshine!
ext_93291: (Coldagnir)

[identity profile] spiced-wine.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
I am hoping for enough sunshine, sometime this summer, that I can sit out there and the pots be full of flowers! Maybe some scent, too. I live in hope.

Me, too! It was windy for three days, and our fence was creaking alarmingly. Kev temporarily shored it up.

Flowers are slowly coming out in the pots, but I can't sit out and enjoy them :\

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I actually remember sitting out in March... but there were no flowers then either!

Here's hoping we get some nice, warm, summery days to sit outdoors and laze a little.

(no subject)

[identity profile] spiced-wine.livejournal.com - 2012-06-17 18:54 (UTC) - Expand
shirebound: (flowers magenta - primula_baggins)

[personal profile] shirebound 2012-06-17 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Such lovely flowers! I was just outside taking pictures of some of the blooms in our neighborhood.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:54 pm (UTC)(link)
It would be a lot better if there were more of them in flower... but we can live in hope.

[identity profile] dawtheminstrel.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Every time you post pics, I realize again what a beautiful place you live in.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
I am fortunate to live here. And yet it is one of the interesting effects of the internet - the chance to see ourselves, and our locality, through others' eyes. To me these pics are pretty everyday - and I find pictures of where you live fascinating!

[identity profile] petzipellepingo.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd say that your garden is coming along nicely so sending along sunny vibes.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
It really needs a bit more colour - there are a lot of plants (like nasturtiums and sweet peas) that are just sitting there at the moment. But hopefully both you and I will have some good warm summer days soon.

[identity profile] kortirion.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Flowers in my garden - not so many. My roses have taken quite a bashing from the rain. But long long, bright green grass... you can have plenty of that!

Yes I should go for a few extra pots out there, your daisies look a bit lonely on their own. Nice pavoiurs though - I like your grey better than their yellow. *g* Strangely, although maybe not because it is another sea-side town... your view down the street reminds me of the suburban area between Penzance and Newlyn. And apropros of nothing... D-in-Law has expressed a strong desire that when their lease is up in Greenwich (a year or so) that they move to Brighton - I can go with that... I get to go down to the sea-side! ;-)

PS: Did you see Gillo's jpg? About summer being a 404 failure to launch? I loved that!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I liked Gillo's jpeg, too. (She and I have decided to go to this (http://www.returnofthering.org/) - do you fancy joining us for some, or all?)

I don't have any grass at all now - I don't really pine for it.

I have just got to organise myself a bit to get some pots out at the front now - blue ones, maybe, with the grey paviours. I have a couple of blue pots out the back...

And as for the colour of the paviours - Patrick, who did it for us, said he thought the yellow ones looked too much like the ones the council use at crossings so that those with limited sight can spot them. I think he is right - but I am genuinely pleased that you agree with me!

And having a son and daughter-in-law in Brighton sounds like a very good thing.

[identity profile] just-ann-now.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Oooh, monkey flowers! I haven't seen, or even thought about them in years; we saw them all over the in place in pots and window boxes when we lived in Alaska. Very pretty!
Edited 2012-06-17 17:38 (UTC)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:13 pm (UTC)(link)
They are such fun - and seem to flower no matter what which, in this weird spring-summer, is a good thing. I guess that might be why they are popular in Alaska,too.

[identity profile] nutmeg3.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely! I especially like the clematis hiding in the pear tree. There's something wild and fantastic (in the sense of "like fantasy") about it.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:39 pm (UTC)(link)
The clematis is simply let to go wild in the pear tree - I don't know if it should be pruned or anything - I just leave it be. So it really is just doing its own thing up there! It does earn some odd looks from anyone who spots those flowers up there.
ext_11988: made by lmbossy (Default)

[identity profile] kazzy-cee.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
I like your new front courtyard! Pretty flowers too!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:40 pm (UTC)(link)
it is going to be much easier to keep looking nice - but it would benefit from another plant or two, I think.

[identity profile] chaotic-binky.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Your front garden looks lovely - much better than the gravel crap my ex got some cowboys to put down a few years ago.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
I am really pleased with it - it will be much easier to cope with than gravel would have been, too.

[identity profile] brutti-ma-buoni.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
*Grump* "Busy but not exciting" is all too familiar for the past couple of weeks. And it's now warm enough for me to be suffering quite bad hay fever but nowhere near nice enough weather to want to be outside.

I blame the Olympics. Or the Euro. Or *something*. Grump grump grump.

I like your paved area and flowers though!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 07:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Life is just 'proceeding' at the moment. There is a good deal to be thankful for in that, of course, but it would proceed so much better if the weather was more seasonal.

It seems so unfair to have the hay-fever when there is no proper summer weather. I blame the Greeks...

I do rather like the front 'courtyard' - another plant or two will improve it even more, though,I think.

[identity profile] pondhopper.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I would fill your front space so full of pelars that you wouldn't even see the nice pavers.
:D
Does it get sun? If so, how about container roses?
I like the colour I'm seeing, though. And I am envious of your clematis in a tree. It's too hot for them here and I have tried but no...they wither away. Still 31ºC here at the moment and it's nearly 10 PM!

I would love to live within view of ships coming in and out of port.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 08:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I think a couple of container roses would work well, as it does get the sun for part of the day.

The clematis was planted under the tree about seven or eight years ago and then just left to grow up through it - the big pink flowers in the tree, after its own flowers are over, are rather fun.

I tend to 'boat-spot' quite often - she is often on her way out as I go to work, and coming in when I am on my way home.
gillo: (Bear with quarterstaff)

[personal profile] gillo 2012-06-17 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Very nice paviours - the grey is definitely a better choice than the yellow. It would look better with a few more pots, though, I agree - possibly a larger one in the same sort of pattern? The tubs in the back garden look god too, mind you. Dave spent much of today repotting our bay tree (we brought it with us to Kenilworth 18 years ago!) so now we have a rather snazzy big tub to put something else in. I'd take a photo, but guess what the weather is doing now?

I love the ferry pic - it looks for all the world as if it's balancing on the building at the bottom of the street!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 08:37 pm (UTC)(link)
The white metal planter is about five or six years old - so I won't be able to find any more, sadly. But it does need something. Once I get something I will post pics for comments!

And yes, I rather like the way the Ben is balanced on those two turrets and a chimney stack, too.
ext_47048: (Default)

[identity profile] jay-of-lasgalen.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 09:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I love the pics, especially the pink flowers!

It was wet - but not too windy - for the wedding. And the weather didn't matter anyway! :>)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so glad the wedding went well - it would have been wonderful no matter what - but no howling gale would be a distinct advantage.

[identity profile] estelcontar1.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely flowers. I'm keeping all my fingers crossed you start getting lots of wonderful sunny days so that you can sit out there and enjoy a riot of flowers and colours.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
I would really like some nice warm, dry days this summer. It is so nice to be able to just sit out after work and relax - but such days seem to be few and far between these days.

[identity profile] myrhiann.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
The paviours do look very nice indeed, and much easier to maintain than grass or garden. I do think a couple more pots would add interest. Perhaps something colourful that is easy to grow.
I love your pic of the ferry coming in. Hobart is the same; hills running down to the waterfront, and wharves at the bottom.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-17 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I will certainly put another pot or two out there - and will post pics when I do. I am thinking something evergreen might be a good idea.

As for the boats - it is such fun, isn't it, to be able to look down the road and watch them come in and out.

[identity profile] engarian.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
The weather may not be cooperating, but the pavers are quite lovely and I adore that pot of pink flowers.

- Erulisse (one L)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 04:34 pm (UTC)(link)
We had sunshine today... for a couple of hours! I think I will look this weekend for a couple of things to compliment the pink daisies - they make a nice focal point, I think.

[identity profile] zanthinegirl.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 03:49 am (UTC)(link)
I have pavers in my back yard; it makes a nice area for a small table and chairs. I love them! So much less upkeep. I didn't put them in though- they came with the house!

Gorgeous clematis!

It sounds like you're having the same summer they're having in seattle. I talked to a friend today and it was 54f/ 12c and raining. She wasn't sympathetic when I wanted to whine about the heat at my mom's! (For the record it was 94f/ 34c which is too hot for me!)

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Our back yard is paved, but with big paving slabs - and has a table and chairs. I am almost in two minds about putting a chair out the front - but the street can be quite busy, and one of the neighbours has one which I notice they never use...

I'd swap you temperatures for a day or two, even though that would be over-hot for me, too.

[identity profile] bojojoti.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
I wish we could share some of our sunshine--we'd be happy to send you some. We average over 11 hours this time of year, and we really could use a break when it's coupled with the high temperatures.

That's so funny about your neighbors!

Is there some building or restoration going on with the blue on the left in your first photo?

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 04:56 pm (UTC)(link)
I would happily swap you a couple of days of weather...

And yes, next door on the other side had scaffolding up whilst they did some repairs to their upstairs window ledges.

[identity profile] x19narya90x.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 10:24 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely pics :) we bought some pots of lavender for our balcony at uni, thinking they might attract some bees and that they'd smell nice in the sun. Unfortunately they don't appear to have thrived...maybe students and horticulture don't mix!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't do very well with lavender either - although it would be rather nice out there, so maybe I will try again. Someone told me once that you really do have to cut all the flower stems off when it flowers for it to thrive - and I do tend to forget, so maybe that's where we are going wrong.

[identity profile] ayinhara.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Too bad that you cannot send us your excess rain. In the American Southwest it is too dry, which is not only bad for the garden, but raises the forest fire danger.

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
You'd be very welcome to it - even the south of England that was heading into drought would doubtless be happy to send you a few wet days!

[identity profile] inzilbeth-liz.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
That top shot especially is just wonderful!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-18 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
She seemed to be in closer than usual as well as it being an odd time of morning, so it made for a really good picture - and I was just lucky to be returning to the office, and so outdoors, at the right time.

[identity profile] lindahoyland.livejournal.com 2012-06-19 11:19 am (UTC)(link)
Love your photos!

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-19 07:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you.

[identity profile] bojojoti.livejournal.com 2012-06-22 03:58 am (UTC)(link)
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/mass-grave-giant-wombats-discovered-australia-201621035.html

Thought of you. Can you imagine a human-sized pouch?

[identity profile] curiouswombat.livejournal.com 2012-06-22 11:04 am (UTC)(link)
Oh my! And even Oh My Goodness!