Officially, autumn started nine days ago, but I am trying to look on it as just another phase of summer….. And clearing out some of the now spent summer plants has given a different feel to the garden. But first I want to share a few of photographer Marc Gascoigne’s rather lovely pics. I have …
Hampstead Heath
Jazz party and the August garden
Our jazz garden party happened last Sunday and here are the first comers getting in on that bread and cheese before anyone else arrived – or indeed the music got started. And here is our next door neighbour, Jean, trying to decide which of that pretty impressive choice of cheeses to go for…. As far …
Richmond to Strawberry Hill – by ferry
One of the bonuses of gardening at Highgate Cemeteries is that the lovely volunteer lady, Kim, arranges a lot of excellent exchange visits for us volunteers to go to other interesting houses, gardens and cemeteries around London. And a couple of weeks ago we were posted off to Strawberry Hill House, Horace Walpole’s 18th century …
Uncovering a grave
‘So what are we doing this morning Adam?’ Our usual question when we arrive for a Highgate cemeteries gardening shift – and usually the answer is ivy clearance, bramble bashing, or reducing the overhanging trees so that visitors can walk underneath. But this morning we were put on ‘special duty’ – uncovering a grave. We …
Help save the London Steam Museum
Have you ever been to the London Water and Steam Museum? It is just this side of Kew Bridge – and you can’t miss that mighty tower. Even if you have zero interest in steam engines you cannot but be charmed by its massive, polished and purring engines – the 90 Inch and the 100 …
The garden in July
Do you remember those ridiculous six foot high alliums whose stalks were reaching for the sky? Well, finally – two months later – they are starting to flower. First by shedding their pointed hats… ..and then bursting (slightly half heartedly) into bloom. Will all those tight little buds open out or is that the way …