The Autumn Garden

Crocuses have been flowering at the base of the old oak tree by the drive but after just two weeks they've withered and disappeared back into the lawn. Meanwhile the red hollyhocks and roses still look lovely while everything else begins to look tired so that the entire garden resembles a large dried flower arrangement. To be proactive this morning I dug over two of the built up gardens in preparation for planting some winter veggies as well as cutting back the larger sage plants.


The grape vine on the front pergola is laden with fruit. I have encouraged visitors to pick themselves a couple of bunches before they leave while the thrushes have been picking single grapes from high up on the vine. Even the landlord hopped over the fence one morning to help himself to an armful. Whatever is left drops onto the concrete to be picked over by the chooks. There have been a few drunken hens staggering about the place while some others have developed mild cases of the runs.

With all the harvesting going on around the farm there are hundreds of birds feeding in the fields. Most of them roost in the oak tree and a thick layer of guano is forming a nice abstract painting on the driveway. Being severely outnumbered the cats just stare in awe at all the bird life. One negative aspect is a hawk that has decided to hang around in order to feed on the small birds. Unfortunately he took one of Gine's chicks on Tuesday so she is now down to six. He was is cheeky that he flies down into the backyard and scares the hell out of everyone including me. Fortunately this particular bird is too heavy for him to fly off with.