Monday 29th September 2014

A warm overcast day, temp' today reaching a high of 17c.
Some serious branch pruning today dealing with the Bean and Oak Trees. Three large bags of shreddings to spread about the borders.
The cross beaked Blackbird acted strange today. Appears to be eating going by the size of him but walks more than fly and spends a fair amount of time under the bandstand. Sad, but think his days are numbered.
Within a few hours of clearing out the Starling nest box yesterday they were back. Can't imagine the Swift will ever use this box now.
Picture 1 - Serious pruning.
     "      2 - Beaky.
     "      3 - Moth seen in the Ivy Hedge.
     "      4 - Pumpkin Flower.
     "      5 - Bug on front door.
     "      6 - Starlings return.

Sunday 28th September 2014

A very, very warm day reaching a high of 27c this afternoon.
Up early for a dawn walk at Fobney. What a morning, misty with the most spectacular sunrise. What a way to start the day.
Did nothing today but enjoy the garden. So many Butterflies about, Dragonflies and daytime Moths. Loved days like this.
Did clear out the nest boxes, nests now placed in the wood stack for hibernating Mice.
At 5pm, just thinking of calling it a day outside I was aware of movement in the Critter flower pot. It was the Rat that I see from inside the pot on the monitor. Local cats missed an opportunity here?
Pictures 1 - 5 - Fobney & Southcote.
        "   6 & 7 - Moths from last nights trap.
        "          8 - Clearing Starling nest box.
        "          9 - Jay enjoying a drink.
        "        10 - Blackbird with a cross over beak on the pond bridge.
        " 11 - 13 - Ratty.

Saturday 27th September 2014

A very warm and sunny day.
Day spent producing my Willow Chair. Fun to make, end result pretty good but perhaps a little risky to sit on?
The family of Crows drove the neighbourhood mad today. Never stopped screaming all day made worse this afternoon when the Magpies joined in.
Good to see the young Jays back in the garden enjoying a good feed of monkey nuts.
Pictures 1 - 4 - Willow Chair in production.
      "            5 - Crow Family.
      "    6 & 7 - Moths from last nights trap.

Friday 26th September 2014

A very warm and sunny day.
Day spent trimming and shredding the Willow Tree. Retaining the longest/thickest branches for my next project, a Willow Chair. Look forward to starting this tomorrow.
Garden Shrubs and Trees showing Autumn colours now. A lovely time of year made more enjoyable by such beautiful weather.
Enjoyed an evening with Jill and Geoff, last get together at the New Year. Where does the time go. Have booked another New Year trip, this time a visit to Bristol.
Pictures 1 & 2 - Back Garden Autumn colours.
       "             3 - Close up of a Crane Fly.

Thursday 25th September 2014

Chilly morning and evening but day once again very mild with a fair amount of sun.

Have come up with another project. Shame to shred all the Willow trimmings so am saving them in order to produce a seat once I have enough. Leaving the stalks soaking until ready.

Spent the day cutting down branches, should finish this part of the job tomorrow.

           Strange happening this afternoon, early afternoon 4 Helicopters flew in formation at a very low speed then late afternoon 4 more appeared. Strange?

Picture 1 - Willow Tree.

      "     2 - Willow Stalks soaking.

      "     3 - Hope to produce a Willow Chair to this design.

      "     4 - Helicopters on manoeuvres.

Wednesday 24th September 2014

After 2mm of early morning rain the rest of the day was once again pretty sunny and warm.
Wednesday always a disturbed day as committed to helping with the Morrisons shop. Afternoon was spent trimming the Holly Tree, will be shredded tomorrow. Willow Tree will be a serious job, can't believe the growth from last year.
           Unusual to see a Monkey Nut had taken root after being buried by the Jay or Squirrel in a patio rose pot. Now re-potted so I can watch progress. Never seen this before.
Amazed at the amount of tomatoes we are picking. All self seeded from last year, not fed or mulched. Just re-planted into the greenhouse early summer.

Sad to learn of the passing of Bill a neighbour this morning. Bill was a good neighbour, making me feel very welcome when we moved to 479 forty years ago. Many stories he has related to me over the years. Will miss the chats over the fence, the local wildlife will also miss him. The one enjoyment Bill had in recent years as he became more unwell was to watch the Birds feeding and the Fox Cubs playing in his garden. RIP Bill, you were a goodun.

Picture 1 - Latest bird feeder. Peanut Butter, just fixed this and already Blue Tits and Robins are feeding from it.
Picture 2 - Tomatoes from self seeded plants.
     "      3 - Shreddings from just two Shrubs.
     "      4 - Monkey Nut, now re-potted.

Tuesday 23rd September 2014

A glorious autumn day. Warm and sunny all day. Getting chilly in the evenings now.
Happy Birthday to me - day spent in the Village of Wisley and RHS Wisley. Perfect weather for such a trip, leaves just beginning to change colour, lots of fungi in the woods and autumn bulbs at their best. A good day to be out.
Finished the day with a pint and fish pie at the Anchor on the canal at Pyreford a village close to Wisley.
Picture 1 - Happy Birthday to me, rude not to celebrate?
     "      2 - Pyreford Lock.
   " 3 - 13 - RHS Wisley.