Last Sunday evening was so wonderfully warm that I sat outside until quite late. The moon was high in the sky and the moths were on the wing. This is Neville my black cat who was fascinated by them, captured in the lights outside our house. Nev is really is a good natured cat and he is brother to one of my other cats and was hand-reared by Jennie, my mother-in-law, after his mother died when the kitts were 3 days old. He is now 12 and is like a big black teddy bear! You can also see evidence that the builders are in at the moment from the pile of tiles and the hole in the wall. I always find the process really awful but I shall have a really useful porch to put wet shoes,coats and dogs in when the weather is bad so I have to look ahead and think positive...
My plants from Beth Chatto arrived today, beautifully packed and I am debating whether or not to plant them as we are away next week. After some discussion with my mum, I have decided to pot them up and put them in a shallow tray of water in a shady place. We have not had any rain as such for about a month and to put them in the garden when we are not here might be a very good idea. I will take some pictures of them once they are established so you can see what I have bought. I have also made a date to meet my Mum and my Sister at Beth Chatto's garden in May so that we can meet up and also have a good look around the garden. I have never seen the garden in May so I will take lots of pictures and post them so you can all get a good idea of just how lovely it is. We are off to Venice next week for four days so things may be a bit quiet on the posting front but I will take lots of pictures and bore entertain you all with the details when I return...
This is my favourite place of mine to sit in the evening complete with a glass of wine and a candle.......bliss!
Your deck really does look blissful. Have a great trip!
Posted by: Ali | April 26, 2007 at 10:10 PM
The shot of Neville is mysterious! Your porch is heaven to mee as well. I don't have a house yet, but in the late evening in summer I love to sit with my husband on our patio (really a car port but surrounded by a veggie garden and my potted roses) we sip a glass of wine, light the lanterns and dream about our own deck some day.
Posted by: Sara, The Wine Makers Wife | April 26, 2007 at 10:51 PM
That deck you have looks so wonderfully inviting! I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of the garden!
Posted by: Beachy | April 26, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Sitting outside on a warm evening with candles and a glass of wine is my idea of bliss. It is soooo relaxing.
I look forward to pictures of Beth Chatto's garden when you go ...I've never been and would love to see it in May.
Enjoy your trip next week
Alison.
Posted by: Alison | April 27, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Hi Jane
What a lovely photo of Neville! Yes, building work is always traumatic but well worth it in the end! Enjoy the garden in May - it's my favourite month - oh, and enjoy a nice glass of wine for me in that lovely spot!
Clare x
Posted by: Clare | April 28, 2007 at 10:28 PM
What a lovely pic of that deck, I can see why you it would be your fave place to sit. Thank you for the advice with regards to the "horse" situation. I have looked into a school that is nearby, it is very costly but I may give it a try and see how georgia likes it. By the way...VENICE? I am so jealous! cant wait to see pics, as many as possible please!
Posted by: kelly | April 28, 2007 at 10:44 PM
Hi Jane,
Thanks for your lovely comment! It's always nice to know that someone appreciates the same things that I do :) 16 hens - how wonderful, we're already looking ahead to Chickenopolis and a cockerel (although whether this will ever happen is debatable!), but our fresh eggs are heavenly.
You've got a lovely deck - in our garden we don't really have an area - barring the lawn - that could be used as a sit-down place, although I'm hoping to do a bit of a re-model later in the year!
Enjoy Venice and all it has to offer, you lucky thing!
Posted by: Tash | April 30, 2007 at 10:22 AM
What an inviting place to sit in the garden and relax.
I look forward to seeing your photos of Venice, as I have always wanted to visit.
Your blog is lovely.
Marie
Posted by: Marie | April 30, 2007 at 08:51 PM
Oh that deck certainly looks like bliss.
And I'm sure your trip will be also.
Mari-Nanci
Posted by: Mari-Nanci | April 30, 2007 at 09:09 PM