The Good, the Bad and the Handsome!

Firstly an apology for the long gap since the last post - for some reason I have been unable to upload many of my photos, particularly the most recent ones which refer to where I've been and what I've done in recent weeks.  

So today's post may seem even more random than usual!

I had a visit from my friends and former neighbours who brought me this beautiful posy picked from their garden; they deserved my silver rose bowl, I thought.

 They also brought me some poppy seed heads to dry out and sow in my garden ready to flower next year; I have now put them safely in brown bags in the greenhouse as I don't want those seeds exploding all over the place.

Another gift from a green-fingered friend was a little cutting from a Streptocarpus which has now developed into a pretty plant bearing many lilac-blue flowers (at the last count there were 45 flowers altogether!) 

And I also received my latest order from Higgledy Garden - biennials to sow now in order to have them flower next year.  As always, there was an accompanying beautifully hand-written note from Benjamin and a complimentary packet of seeds 'to try'.  I love the personal touch and all his seeds are organic.

I took advantage of an offer in the Gardening section of the Saturday Telegraph a few weeks ago and eventually 4 little Hydrangea plants arrived in the post, carefully packed and all in good condition. 

I was so chuffed when they eventually developed blooms in this lovely colour, so I have been able to give one to each of my friends in return for the posy, seeds and plant cutting - and keep two myself!

Now this is where I am struggling for photos; Zac and I have been out and about with our friends and their two dogs, Rua the Red Setter and Goldie the Golden Retriever, but at least this shows the happy bunch! It looks as though Goldie is telling the boys to get a move on!

At present we can't go walking on Bodmin Moor in this area as there have been reports of ponies suffering from Strangles, a horrible and highly infectious disease which causes terrible suffering and often death.  It is being dealt with but in the meantime, we are warned not to let dogs drink any water on the Moor and to disinfect boots after walking there in order to prevent spreading the disease. 

So last Thursday we visited Cardinham Woods where there are walking trails and cycling routes, plus the river where the dogs can cool off.  

We chose the shortest walking trail - 4km - but as it climbed steadily, we got slower and slower and more out of puff! Eventually, L and I decided we'd had enough and left B to carry on with all three dogs for a bit further, saying we would meet him in the cafe later! At this point, Zac weighed up his options and decided he'd also had enough, so accompanied us back down to the cafe and a welcome drink. 

 I think I might be bringing my grandchildren here during the school holidays; they would definitely enjoy the play area and a good walk along by the river would use up some of their boundless energy . . maybe!  Oh yes - as we were about to leave the car park, we discovered another walking trail alongside the river . . . FLAT!!!  So a bit late for this visit but ideal for next time.
This is the little tearooms where you can enjoy an ice cream, drinks, snacks and Mmmmmmmm home-made cakes.

Heading home . . 

OH!!  Where did HE come from?