Sorry Hollins, wasn't on duty yesterday (Thursday) and did my last laburnum archer stint this morning, but I am planning to return next week as an "ordinary" volunteer!!!
The laburnum has almost gone over although digital photos are still bringing out the yellow in it. There was a bed of dark blue mecanopsis near the pin mill, but gone over.
Roses and water lilies now at their best, I spent Wednesday afternoon listing all the varieties in the rose beds!
The damsel-flies are plentiful, there are a few yellow ones as well. When we had the pond dipping for the kids a couple of weeks ago plenty of their larvae were pulled out of the pond (and put back). Down in the dell you could have seen the electric blue demoiselle caddis flies, very stunning, and if very lucky the emperor dragon-flies.
First thing this morning I took a walk to the far end, saw the female shelduck with five ducklings, Canada geese with their one remaining offspring (it is suspected that mink has taken the other two) and a rare sight, a family of goldcrests. Didn't see the kingfisher which I did catch a quick sighting of last week!
I was thinking to myself as I was there that I'd like to go back 50 years and start my working life again, but this time I'd try and get to work in the gardens (but not as a gardener!) - can but dream!!! My father and great-grandfather worked for Bodnant Estate, grandfather worked on the estate and surrounding area as a postman! Hopefully get close to that dream as a guide in the coming weeks.