Now did you have a good Christmas and New Year? I imagine you made all these resolutions which are so hard to keep. I just made one, to try to take a little time each day to be still and really look at the beautiful world of nature around us, but then that is easy for me as I have ‘The Garden’.
I see that all my old friends are already sitting comfortably, now come on new readers, take a little time to make that cup of tea, coffee or whatever you choose. Oh! You have those lovely chocolate biscuits, I love those, but remember we must not over indulge.
Since our last visit we have had some serious weather, first all the rain. Well yes, I know that it is a pain, when you have to do the shopping, get the kids to school and of course when Rover comes in from the garden with wet muddy footprints on your kitchen floor, particularly when you have just washed it. But to the garden it is life, well to us as well really, you can almost hear the plants and trees drinking and the soil absorbing the water ready for spring. The stream was singing along and the waterfall really beautiful.
As the garden is sleeping at the moment my better half and I have taken the opportunity to visit some good friends in Florida, and that is where I am now. Charlie my mascot was a little miffed to be left. I could tell by the drupe in his spines. Yes, I know it is all in my imagination, he is in the conservatory and being looked after, together with the garden by a good friend who loves the garden as much as we do. So I am afraid there is no picture of Charlie this time. If you wish to see him new readers just look at the last post.
So I would like to share with you some of
the things I have enjoyed on this trip.
When we first arrived we went on a cruise,
it was great. We went ashore on this
private island in the Bahamas, it was
wonderful all white sand and blue sea, the
plants were beautiful as you can see, the
bougainvillea and hibiscus which we all
know from the Mediterranean, so many
different colours. The other plant is the sea
grape which grows in the sand right on the
edge of the beach. It has white flowers
followed by the fruit, the leaves as they get
older turn a beautiful dark red. Boy!
Would Mr. Blackbird love these berries, but
they do have very large seeds, so perhaps
not.
Then we returned to Florida, and you
would not believe it, so cold, well for
Florida, but I will not complain hearing of
all the snow and ice which you have all
been enduring. It has been the coldest
weather known here for a long time.
The temperature of the sea dropped so much the turtles were suffering and many were rescued and kept warm until the water goes back to normal. Also there were reports on the TV ofiguanas falling from the trees as they went into hibernation, when it warms up again they said they should be OK, I hope so.
I have a picture for you from the newspaper
showing the oranges, they also had to spray
the strawberries with water at night to
cover them with ice to protect them from
the frost. The other picture is of a tree full
of berries, not just in England has nature
prepared for the birds this winter, but they
do need water so do keep the ice from the
birdbaths etc.
Well now that I have made you all feel cold,
but I hope not depressed, good news! it is
getting much warmer, the sun is shining
and the temperature is climbing fast.
From what I hear your weather is
changing for the better also.
It is beautiful here with the palm trees and
vegetation which is so different to in
England and the very different birds, the
pelicans for instance, the jumbo jets of the
bird world, they are my favourites and we
have had such a wonderful time visiting
our good friends.
I hope you enjoyed your trip with me to Florida, sorry that we did not visit the Theme Parks, but then you know me by now I just cannot stay away from plants, birds etc. Maybe we will see Mickey Mouse next time. In the next post I will of course be back in ‘The Garden’ and should have some pictures of Spring. The bulbs which are such a blessing after the winter, they always
amaze me with their beauty and strength to have survived the bitter weather. Also, I may have done the pruning required on some of the shrubs so that we get the best from them in the summer. o much in The Garden depends on the weather, but part of the excitement is every
year it is different, you can just never predict the exact time the buds will appear or the flowers open, but we know that it will happen, and I can hardly wait. My better half has lots of plans for
construction, which depends a great deal on the weather, so I will give you updates on these as they happen.
Well we will soon be going home, not looking forward to the plane but will not complain as long as it takes us back home safely as we are looking forward to seeing our family and of course ‘The Garden’.
Looking forward to visiting with you again.
Best Wishes,
Tina
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