Gardening

[Linda]

If they flowered & the flowers/fruits dried up, then it could be that the ground dried up.

Re: gooseberries  -  My major prob is the green caterpillars from the cabbage white butterflies - they can strip thewhole plant bare in a few days - I dont like to spray, so i pick them off one by one & relocate them.

I think thats sounds about right with mine altho i didnt see many green catapillars just a couple but had loads at that side of the garden last year spent a lot  of time collecting and humanely relocating to the top of a local hill
so could be the caterpillars responsible for the gooseberries but the rasberries havent produced any flower or fruit so i guess next year maybe.

[hollins]

I am back from visiting some stunning gardens in South West Scotland complete with walled gardens, huge lily ponds and even some with their own lochs.
Here are some photos.

[hollins]

These next ones were taken at Dunskey Gardens near Portpatrick.

[hollins]

Dunskey again.

[hollins]

The sweet chestnut trees are looking good at the moment.

[Hugo]

The leaves are already starting to change colour in the garden and it will be interesting to see if the dry Summer has made a difference to the Autumn colours this year.

[hollins]

Gorgeous colour there Hugo but a bit sad to think the summer is over and all those leaves will be waiting to be cleared.

[hollins]

The Chinese lanterns have gone mad this year!

[hollins]

Nearly November but don't tell the garden!
Ooops, just realised the seagull pots might not go down too well, don't look!

[Linda]

Stunning displays Hollins, I love to paint when time allows me too and these wonderful colourful flowers and foliage are crying out to be painted (probably someone better than me)  but would love to try. Also what camera are you using ,looking for something to give me detail etc but not hard to use.

[hollins]

Hi Linda, Good luck with the painting. I used to paint for a job (textile design) so regrettably I don't do it any more. Still feels like work, but I think I might take it up again one day!
Regarding the camera I am indebted to DaveR who recommended a little wonder camera! It is called a Sony RX100.

[Linda]

Thankyou Hollins for info on camera , Christmas is coming  Also i can understand your reluctance to paint if it was your job. I feel like that over cooking as OH had a pub for many years there are only so many steak and kidneys pies, apple pies etc etc you want to make
so marks and sparks here i come 

[Nemesis]

See where you are both coming from-- the only hair I cut these days is my OH's and the only cooking I do is for us !-- Apart form full English of course!

[Hugo]

I wish I had this tree in my garden.  I saw it from the road as I was driving past

[Jack]

Wow, stunning colour