I realise that it is months since I reported on the goings on around the heath and in the cemeteries – so here we go with a quick round up. And while the weeds with which we battled throughout the spring are always with us, I am happy to say that we have now largely …
The garden at Hampstead Lane – stage 3 – autumn 2021 to summer 2022
The autumn of 2021 started well in the garden. My first thoughtless purchase of trellis to separate us from the garden at number 31 was replaced by proper fencing that I painted charcoal grey to match the back wall. Defying the builder’s predictions of destruction, I then splurged on three jasmine officianalis (two white and …
The garden at Hampstead Lane – stage 3 – autumn 2021 to summer 2022Read More
Fly With Me – Afghan kite festival on Parliament HIll
It was on the 20th August last year that the chaotic Western withdrawal from Kabul returned Afghanistan to the rigid rule of the Taliban, precipitating the flight of millions. Yesterday, all over the UK, The Good Chance Theatre, Afghan Aid and Afghan artists, actors and sports people came together to celebrate the ancient art of …
Fly With Me – Afghan kite festival on Parliament HIllRead More
The garden at Hampstead Lane – autumn 2020 to summer 2021
In due course the autumn of Year 1 arrived, the Virginia creeper turned crimson and COVID restrictions banished all social events to the garden – requiring the acquisition of a firepit. Logs from the local hardware shop were supplemented with some of the ‘trunks’ of ivy that I had cut down which, somewhat startlingly, went …
The garden at Hampstead Lane – autumn 2020 to summer 2021Read More
Managing the Tormented Heath
Actually, it was introduced to us as the Tormented Slope but Tormented Heath has so much more of a ring to it. In fact, charred slope might have been closer, as burnt to a crisp it certainly was. However, the ‘tormented’ had nothing to do with its scorching and everything to do with the tormentil. …
The Garden at Hampstead Lane – Year 1 – arrival
I have been promising for some time to bring those of you interested in gardening up to date with the garden at Hampstead Lane. So for those who love to watch a garden being created, posts over the next few weeks (or possibly months) will take you through its evolution from spring 2020 till now …