All Of A Flutter

Oh what a to do. Goings on here this week included the demolition of 'The Temple' resulting in an unexpected hospital visit and a discovery. We erected the temple some ten years or more ago or so, in an effort to create some privacy at the back of the house. We live down in a hollow and are are overlooked from behind. 'The Temple' was one of himself's do it yourself creations and when completed was home to a clematis montana, clematis macropetela 'Markham's Pink', a clematis tangutica, a honeysuckle and a variegated ivy which I for some unknown reason let himself chose and have detested it since. It has now taken over the garage and some tendrils invade the interior. We are going to replace 'The Temple' with a taller structure which we hope will deal with the privacy factor better than its predecessor.

The above photo was taken last May a week or so before our garden club plant sale so there were plants and bags of compost everywhere. The clematis made a show of colour for two or three weeks each May and was scented. I am going to miss it but there are plans to plant another one. I do not know which montnana it was but will have fun doing some research before we purchase.



Himself's first job after removing much of the growth on 'The Temple' was to remove the trellises which acted as support for the plants. In doing so a lump of concrete landed on his temple ! One of the plinths at the top of a column had shattered and it was that which made an impact. I do not know why he was not wearing any protective cover on his head. He is a man - need I say more. Much blood ensued which we eventually staunched and this was followed by a trip to the minor injuries unit at the local hospital, where he was checked over and had his head glued and plastered. It could all have been so much more serious. Needless to say he has been on light work only since.



Before the injury happened himself had discovered some long forgotten items, including some wind chimes, a wooden spiral, a robin nesting box and a 'Green Man' which am delighted to be reacquainted with. He also removed some pots which were lurking at the back of 'The Temple'. I discovered them the next morning. One of them contained a little bowl which I must have at some point planted some snowdrops in. There must have been something else in the bowl too but I don't know what. The snowdrops were all leaning towards the light but am sure will right themselves up now they can see daylight. In the same small bowl were four young hellebore self seedlings which will flower this spring. I have cut the old foliage off and will plant them or give them the luxury of their own pots when they have flowered. It never ceases to amaze me that despite my efforts to thwart them that plants have such survival instincts.