Wednesday, August 06, 2008

days go by

well the days seem to be flying by, a lot of it seems unproductive. think I've seen about three days of sun this 'summer'. its a bit depressing!! harvesting: potatoes, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, peas, mange-tout, courgettes, tomatoes, beans, onions. in flower: lavendar, goats-rue, monarda, sedum, geraniums, pelargoniums, begonia, hostas, sweet-peas, lychnis, marigold, diggers speedwell, cone flower, carnations, astrantia, clematis, persicaria and the tall purple thing, sure it has a name! also the yellow thing, which begins with a p. . . .ha. . memory loss. . .
I have just spent a weekend with Katy at a natural horsemanship clinic run by Quantuum Savvy from Australia, what they must think of our summer weather I don't know! it was freezing last August when they were here. I have learned so much my brain is a bit fried now.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update, Claire! Appreciate it.

Looking good (to both you & Katie)!

Yes, this is nearly another Summer that wasn't, yet I am enjoying it, still garden obsessed despite lack of production... However, I am sure someday I'll get somewhere with it.

Anonymous said...

Er, spell that Katy instead...

clairesgarden said...

well I'm sorry I'm being confusing, I've always called that wee horse 'Katie', but recently having seen her welsh cob pedigree she is Katy-Sue, so it should really be 'Katy'. I'll probably continue to use both!!

Lowa said...

Wow, is that you on that stunning equine?? MY GOODNESS! You guys look incredible!

I admit to being a bit jealous?? Should I sign myself up for lessons?? I have not ridden since I was about 15 and I just "taught" myself all those years on the farm. I am sure I do nothing "right". When I take Princess to her lessons, it is all news to me! She starts again mid September and is OUT OF HER NOGGIN with excitement!

I am NOT jealous. Really:) I am happy for you. Just wish it was me. But I have the power to do something about that now, don't I??

This photo was very liberating for some reason! THANKS!

Our summer last year sounds like your's this year. FRIGID.

Hey, here's a question ~ How far are you from Northern Ireland?? Cryptic and I plan to travel there within the next year. Search our roots, you know. I wondered how big of a deal it would be to hop over to Scotland and have a visit?? Wouldn't that be NEAT!

Just an idea.

tlchang said...

We've been mostly cold this summer as well. Just now have picked my first two zucchinis. The cherry tomatoes are just sitting there - NOT getting red.

And pray tell an American since we don't seem to grow them here - *what* is a mange-tout? (and I apologize if I've asked before. It won't stick in my brain.)

clairesgarden said...

Lowa, think you should head off for some lessons!! I'm about and hours ferry and an hour and a half drive from Belfast. longer to Dublin.
Tara, a mange-tout is a flat pea you eat the whole pod, in stirfrys or salad.

gfid said...

we call the mange-tout snow peas.

really beautiful photo - glossy horse with a rider astride who looks very much in her element. and all that green.... we've been so dry here the grass has all but dried up.

i shall harvest my first ripe tomato from the raised beds this evening, despite the cold, dry summer.

peppylady (Dora) said...

Sound like your productive.

clairesgarden said...

GF, glad I gave the horse a bath, I was probably in need of one myself by the time that photo was taken, glad your getting some crops in there.
Dora, the garden is growing more weeds than anything, it needs some attention. its good to have the fresh food it provides.

Lynn said...

Hi Claire ~ I tried to post a few days ago and for some reason I couldn't get logged into my account. Anyway~ I can only day dream of riding a horse out in the wide open spaces!!!! As I sit at my very boring desk or out in the noisy smelly bus :(
I've sooooo got to do something about my life!
Oh, and that Monarda would probably make you a great cuppa tea.

Gary said...

Good for you Claire. And nice photo too. Have fun and rest up too!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photo, Claire. Sounds like you've been very busy, and have a most wonderful garden as usual. If you want more sunshine, come on over... and heat too. Tonight we've had some rain and I'm loving it. The cooler, cleaner air is soooo nice.

Reba says "Whoof!"

clairesgarden said...

Primrozie, haven't tried monarda in tea, yet.. no riding here this week, a sore back and too much rain!!
Gary, cheers!!
Alice, hugs back to Reba and you too!!

Kerri said...

That's such a gorgeous photo, Claire. You both look great :)
You have (maybe 'had' now, since almost a month has passed since you wrote this post) lots of lovely blooms by the sound of things, in spite of the lack of sun and warmth.
Maybe the Aussies enjoyed the cool change!
I have that memory loss thing too...especially when my brain is tired after a long day in the garden. Hence the lack of posts lately....