Cloncaw's Journal

Christmas Lights

Christmas is Coming

Trees on the edge of the village have been decked with lights, glad to see they've changed the bulbs as the last couple of years it was a red light district. Put up a few more photos of the last November sky, have to say yesterdays was best I've seen this year so hot and blue cold of the snow

Take Your Breath Away

Last November sky shot

Just been outside and the sharpness of the air would take your breath away, no really spectacular sunset this evening although looking out now sky is on fire behind the trees. This evening clouds look like snow on the way to further south, the sky was pink all around much pinker than other evenings, set off the clump of trees in the distance on the hills framed by the poplars behind the pond. Wonder what tomorrow will bring know one thing I'll be dressed for the Arctic conditions to teach this evening.

Amazing Sunset

Amazing Winter Sunset

This wintery weather has certainly provided some fabulous sunsets over the last couple of days. Temperature here was just above freezing yesterday with so a bit of a thaw, roads were not great once you left the main roads. On returning from Monaghan around 4pm the sunset was just amazing had to capture it on camera, this weather means most riders won't travel so while waiting to here from those who hadn't cancelled took this sunset shot from stable yard thought the trees against the vibrant colours was spectacular. Wonder will today's be as good lovely and sunny here with a breeze little snow over night it is beautiful but not good for business so hope it changes soon.

Fire on Ice

Fire on Ice

Saturday morning greeted by snow and freezing conditions beautiful but not great for business as driving conditions were poor. Have put up photos from the first flurry on Friday morning to what is now a big freeze. The pond is totally frozen over and this morning I atually thought the huddle of ducks was frozen solid but luckily that was not the case. The severe weather conditions meant no work today, frozen water pipes in the stables and farm mean back to having to carry water, temperatures really didn't change much all day even though the sun came out was -6c at lunch time just hope that this isn't the start of a winter like last year. This evening the setting sun was beautiful looking like Fire on Ice.

Snow is Falling

Snow is Falling.

Cold morning here very dark and then it started to rain, sleet next it was snowing. Stopped now but sky still very black hope we're not going to get the weather forecast. Missed getting a photo of the sun surrounded by a halo through the clouds and snow.

Kalanchoe from Clare

Kalanchoe potted up

Ended up doing no outdoor gardening as by lunchtime the day had changed with the sun disappearing and becoming very cloudy. Then after lunch discovered the package from Clare, was taken aback by the amount of seeds and the little Kalanchoe all carefully packed. After goggling some details on it found a little pot and used used some of the John Innes compost to plant it up now safely installed on the window sill in the kitchen, hope it likes it's new home.

Postman Delivers a Treasure Trove

Treasure Trove From Clare.

Thank you Clare (Clara) for your package that arrived in today's post. Initally reaction was that the rubeckia Cherry Brandy seeds were getting really special attention with the packaging I was really taken aback by the contents in the box packets of seeds, home saved seeds including the Cherry Brandy all neatly packed and labelled and a small Kalanchoe plant. The generosity of members on the site is brilliant and hopefully I'll be able to meet up and pass on the plant divisions to new homes in the near future. Must go through all the seeds I saved and see what I have that can find new homes.

Once again Clare thank you for all the seeds.

Moon Shot

I See the Moon

While out taking photos of the ducks walking on water took this shot of the moon over to the west.

Walking on Water

Walking on Water

Looked out this morning and couldn't believe my eyes there on the middle of the pond ducks walking on water. I hope that this isn't the start of another winter like last year was freezing yesterday evening but temperature must really have dropped to put a layer of ice across the pond, I know that the invasive weed probably helps the freeze but even still the middle of the pond is pretty clear. It's now a beautiful morning sun shining so once I've organised chicken, ham and leek pie with any luck it's off the garden for a bit more of a tidy up.

An Hour or Two Chilling Out in the Garden.

November Sun Set

Have been unable to get out into the garden at the weekends due to work and managed only an hour last week on Monday so was really fed up as the weather during the week was very rough. Only managed an hour yesterday but at least it was a start finished clearing away dead stems in the NW bed and then onto the front of the house was a really nice afternoon. This morning was frosty so planned to organise lunch and then escape but these plans fell by the wayside due to various problems that arose. After lunch post arrived and there was a package from Fran of Carex and Squirrel grass seeds so first job was to pot up the carex now safely in the tunnel. Still pretty chilly but lovely afternoon spent a couple of hours cutting back plants, slowly everything is beginning to look tidier. One problem I noticed is lots of little ivy plants am wondering if these have appeared from the woodchip that I used on the beds. Have weeded out lots of little seedlings has anyone else had a problem like this?

Thank You Fran a Man of his Word.

Carex from Fran

Opened up the long package was it going to be a photo of Martin in his togs? Eased out the contents to discover Carex as promised by Fran, inside the note were Squirrel Grass seeds. As I cannot make the Christmas get together Fran very kindly posted the plant division to me made my day. Now potted up in the tunnel I hope that it likes it's new home and that by next year it will be established and move outdoors. With the Squirrel grass seeds should I plant them now? Once again thanks Fran you are a man of your word and definitely brightened up my day.

Surprise Surprise What Did The Postman Deliver?

What Can It Be.

Today in the post I received a rather long package, it took a few minutes for my brain to click into gear as to who was Mr Fran Maddock. I had the same mental block last week when an envelope arrived with a tiny green package from Linda and then my delight as I realised it was from Linda B and these were the verbascum seeds. But back to todays package what could Fran be sending me?

Jacinta's Babies.

Jacinta's Babies

Became the adoptive mother to three Echium babies back on the 19th September when there was a get together at Cloncaw original Jacinta had been concerned by their punny looks. After reading the journal other day suddenly thought I must check on them and Jacinta wondered how they were doing. We've had some very severe frosts here and I thought they might not have survived so checked today and two of three have survived the smallest one has disappeared. Some thing seems to have eaten the leaves but otherwise they seem to be doing okay, am going to sort out an area in the tunnel for all the plants in waiting. After the storms yesterday the garden is well and truly trashed looking and really needs a lot of attention to remove all the debris of leaves and bits of broken plants, the rubeckia is bent over and shrivelled looking so it'll be next year before it shows it's face again but that's the ups and downs of garden life. Has been a reasonable day here today but everywhere is so wet, off to teach now won't be finished till 9:30 just hope it isn't as rough a night tonight as last night hard teaching in howling gails and the wind was biting just thankful of my indoor roof.

Gertrude Jekell

Jewel in Garden

This is one of my David Austin roses and has been flowering since early June, flowers are much smaller now but how I enjoy seeing this jewel shining in the terrace bed having come through the hard frosts, winds and heavy rain long may she continue to shine.

Back on Track

Sunset 9th November

Another great day started very cold but any day that is dry is a bonus and sunshine just tops it off. This morning had to do a bit of housework and eventually the range was serviced and turned back on makes so much difference to the kitchen and just love being able to put casseroles into the oven . After lunch repotted up houseplants that David my son had described as depressed looking happier already. Trip to the Glaslough Peat for compost to pot up the rest of the fushia and pelegoniums that hopefully will survive the winter in the tunnel other job is to plant up winter pots and bulbs. All the summer pots are now in the tunnel and Looking ar them I'm sort of thinking that rather than lift everything out and replanting perhaps I should buy more terracotta pots and insert plastic ones inside so planting can be changed easily depending on the season. Tomorrow will be decision time as regardless of the weather I can work in the tunnel really feel better for getting motivated and out into the garden. Sharp here this evening again hopefully wind and rain predicted for tomorrow will by pass here. Took this photo yesterday evening glorious sunset but none this evening.

Is This Good Enough - Fran ?

Glowing Berberis

Is this glowing berberis good enough for membership of the leaf club?  Have two in the south bed have posted up photos in November album sun shining here today but very sharp wind must get motivated and get out to have the cobwebs that are slowing me down blown away.

Rubeckia

Rubeckia Nearly There.

Have been watching this rubeckia to open slowly the flowers are unfurling with luck they will get enough sun to fully open and provide a bit of late sunshine in the garden - perhaps I'm being too optimistic.

I Spied Another Surprise

Royal Bride Poppy Buds Again

Took a wander round the garden and discovered there are three buds on the Royal Bride Oriental Poppies in the terrace bed, wonder will they open be a miracle if they survive between the frosts wind and rain. 

I Spy ...... A Rose

Look What I Spy

Looking out the bathroom window this morning I could see this white rose blowing about in the wind, showing the effects of the weather.

Sun Coming Up

November Sun Rise

Photo of the sun rising this morning around 8am cold sharp day but rather have that than wind and rain but no point complaining perhaps tomorrow will be a day for working in the tunnel potting up bulbs at least I'll get some gardening fix.

Calm Before The Storm.

Chilly Morning

Last weekend was beautiful but work meant no time in the garden and all week it rained place is saturated, then yesterday cold frosty morning followed by a beautiful day. This morning was another cold morning but had to work all day so no gardening and now it's blowing a gale think I'm jinxed as cann't see any gardening tomorrow if this keeps up and even if it blows over ground is going to be too wet. Took photo yesterday morning of the sun with the mist rising over a frosty pond not sure there will be too many more shots like this although this morning there was a lovely sunrise.

Weather Suitable Only for Ducks

Ducks on the new pond.

What a week it has been so far after the good weather last weekend has just rained more or less non stop so other than lifting a few plants in a short respite have done nothing in the garden. Flooding everywhere our ducks have decided that the new pond that covers the corner of the showjumping arena is the place to be only person guarding our pond that has risen about 15cm is Jeremy Heron and he looks a bit miserable. Hope it stops soon as everywhere is so messy with all this water lying about.

Respite Between the Downpours

Between the Downpours.

Another miserable day wet to start but it did fare up for a brief time this morning, managed to remove the rest of the blackened cosmos and sweetpea from the S bed. Removed the sweetpea from under the Betula Trista and cut back the lavender and dianthus so much water lying the ground is totally sodden. Last job before the rain started to pour down again was to remove summer bedding from the old sinks need to repot the geraniums and fushia up to try and over winter them in the tunnel perhaps I'll get time tomorrow afternoon. Need to rethink the S bed below the terrace as I had hidden lots of plants when I planted the cosmos have a few shrubs that need removed to leave a bit more room for flowers next year, oh just to have a few dry days to get a bit more tidying up done.

Wet- Wet- Wet

Brady

Change from the last two days as it is pelting rain against the windows. Only photos worth taking this morning before the rain really started were of Jeremy Heron and the ducks on the pond then the terrible two came ramping up the drive from the yard. Short time later looked out and there was Brady lying on the bridge to the island, Socks was elsewhere ravaging what looks like paper off a takeaway left somewhere by the boys.

King Heron on his Throne

Jeremy Heron on his Throne.

While other gardeners consider heron's as trouble we have no problem with them on our pond mainly because there are no precious  fish for him to poach. Somedays there are two herons but most days only Jeremy struts around and sits for hours in one spot on the bank. Used to be the slightest sound and he was off but now he rarely takes off if I'm out and about in the garden and he is certainly getting more adventurous moving further away from the water. Over the last number of weeks he seems to have made himself a throne on some reeds and this is now his favourite spot.