Our new garden

We have lived in our house for approximately 25 years now, and never did anything much with the garden. It's a small garden that wraps itself around the house on three sides and when we first moved in, it was all paved,  the camellia being the only exception. We created a border at the back and planted some trees as we did not want to be overlooked by the neighbours, planted a few shrubs, but we are not gardeners and we just left the garden to its own devices. 

But, we did want a nice garden that we could enjoy so we got a team in who landscaped it, and it was finished a month ago, and this is the result. We wanted something that is very low-maintenance,

and we think we have achieved this.

This is the side of the house, as we come out of the front door.

The opposite view, looking towards the back garden.

Through the gate

On my right, a plaque I made when I was still able to do pottery at the local college.

On my left, a fairly formal border

at the end, an L-shaped border.

Looking closer

It will be good when things grow

This is a climbing hydrangea - I am looking forward to seeing what this looks like when it's grown.

Looking back - the wooden box for the recycling bins keeps everything tidy.

Turning right, and now we are at the back of the garden. Here is where we will put our garden furniture and sit when the weather gets warmer.

The camellia dominates this border

Stepping stones to make looking after this flower bed easier.

Turn right again, and the last bit of the garden

Quite a bit of colour which is good

Looking back

Turn left and we are at the back of the garden again.

We are very pleased with it and looking forward to seeing things growing and maturing, and of course, sitting in the garden enjoying it when the weather permits.

First outing

This was my first proper walk after my operation, and it was such a delight! I drove up to the middle of Old Milverton village, parked the car, and we made my way towards the church and the fields. A sunny, glorious day, not many people about, given the restrictions due to the coronavirus, and I was in ecstasy.

Cottages hidden behind hedges and tress on one side of the road

the magnolia just starting to bloom

on the verge

and a field on the other side of the road. I could see some sheep in the distance, but no new-born lambs

We reached the old barn

this is apparently a copy - the original sign is in Warwick Museum.

Daffodils on the verge

The Community Hall

A clipped hedge - they have a pond and water feature in the garden, and we could hear kids having fun with the water

St James' Church

The Old Vicarage across the road

We entered the church grounds - Vera Britain is meant to be buried here, but I have never been able to find her grave, even though I have looked many times.

I love the spire of this church

We reached the gate that leads

to the fields and ultimately to the river and the Saxon Mill, a very popular pub and restaurant.

But, I had walked too long, on my single crutch. We retraced our steps, had a last look at the church and walked back to the car.

A lovely day out.

Ceramics in Gallery Nine, Bath

Ceramics in Gallery Nine, Bath.

We discovered this gallery on our way to the Royal Crescent and were pleased with what we saw.

Sue Binns:

Ashraf Hanna:

Walter Keeler:

Justine Allison:

Christiane Wilhelm:

Elisabeth Renton: