Trains, dogs and more bird feeders

The weather was beautiful yesterday, a perfect day for gardening. Instead, we jumped on the train and headed for the coast, laden with a champagne picnic for a belated birthday celebration. It was the first time that the dogs had travelled by train and I’m proud to say that they were both impeccably behaved, no mean feat for two young springer spaniels. I didn’t feel guilty abandoning the garden though as we’d spent last Sunday afternoon doing autumn maintenance jobs, e.g. removing brambles, pruning Buddleia and Lavatera. The dogs love gardening; Sami thinks that weeding is the most interesting activity in the world (and she’s meant to be highly intelligent!) whilst Megan, the pup, does her best to help but as I deadhead the roses she beheads …

The major change to the garden this week has been the installation of the new feeders – see below. The birds seem to appreciate them, not that you can tell from this photo. Jon certainly had fun dismantling the stand then putting it back together again.

It will trash the grass beneath but, fortunately, we’re not too lawn-proud as it’s bumpy and full of clover. We also have a bird table, just out of view, but the combination of squirrels, woodpeckers and our cats using it as a scratching pole have detracted from its looks over the years, so it needs a bit of TLC before its ready for its photo to be taken.