Passing Time at the Windowsill

Time has been on my hands, an imposed stretch of confinement, but I have done my best to keep myself occupied and life has not been unpleasant. It is now over five weeks since I had a hip replacement operation. A routine has developed, interspersed with regular short periods of walking and set gentle exercises: …

Gardenlust

Gardenlust by Christopher Woods - A Review This is a book which will gladden the heart of any gardener as we read of the vibrancy, enthusiasm, creativity and beauty of gardens worldwide. In the face of climate change, urbanisation, species loss, deforestation etc, garden creators around the world respond with positivity, a get up and go, …

At the Cutting Edge!

Two Men Went to Mow: The Obsession, Impact & History of Lawn Mowing by Clive Gravett - A Review The maintenance of the domestic lawn has been portrayed for many years as a male obsession; man and machine in a co-operative striving to produce and maintain the perfect green sward, weed-free, blemish-free, perfectly edged and …

Literally taken by the Venus Fly Trap.

The title was “Monsters Under Glass: A Cultural History of Hothouse Flowers, 1850 to the Present” and I misinterpreted it completely. I’m sure you, like me, might have expected something about glasshouse plants and their cultivation but I was wrong and it was nothing of the sort but rather a study of literary metaphors and …

Window Gardening.

These last few days have brought miserable weather, cloudy on the best days and strong winds and heavy rains on others. We have reacted differently, Mary and I; she frustrated by the lack of opportunity to be outside and busy in the garden and I with my mind somewhat consoled that I am prevented from …