Monday 6 April 2015

The Restorative Power of the Garden …

Since my return from the coast I have been in bed ill with a nasty virus.  It has laid me low – I have slept the clock round, not eating or thinking about blogland or how spring was rushing along without me.  I had nothing inside my head at all – just a desire to get through this and back to my normal self.

Easter Monday was my first day back to normality – almost – I am a little weak and tired, but have been out in the garden for the first time in two weeks – the sun shone specially for me, the wind dropped and I began to realise that nothing has the healing power of the outdoors and the garden for me.  Little jobs have been completed – little jobs that would still have been there whether I worried about getting them done or not.  As I moved my kneeling mat around the beds – pulling out old winter veg, weeding out those forget-me-nots that seem to get everywhere – it felt good, really good, to be out there – the sun on my back, the dirt in my nails once more. 

1-SDC14315

1-SDC14314

And, although the holiday seems a long way off now – these are a few things I collected whilst walking the shoreline.

1-SDC14296

1-SDC14288

1-SDC14281

1-SDC14289

1-SDC14291

1-SDC14277

1-SDC14284

‘Til next time enjoy the fine weather and the lovely flowers that are blooming right now.

47 comments:

  1. Hello Elaine,

    We are so sorry to read that you have been ill. These winter viruses can be so debilitating and just take away every last bit of energy that one has. But, it is good that you are now feeling more yourself and have at least managed a little pottering in the garden. It does lift the spirits to be outdoors, working the soil and taking note of what new shoots are appearing. Take care of yourself and get fully well soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I must say it took me by surprise and knocked me for six including my taste buds - tea and coffee taste awful at the moment! I am well on the mend now thanks.

      Delete
  2. I was already wondering where you were, so sorry that you were so ill. So glad you are recovering now, just now the weather is becoming more springlike, the garden is the best therapy there is. You show us a lovely collection of shells and feathers from you holidays, I can imagine that after illness this seems already far away.
    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the illness just made the holiday fade pretty fast - it feels as though we never had the break - oh well there's always next time.

      Delete
  3. Hello Elaine,
    I was starting to worry where you were!
    Let the spring heal you x
    Love the mussel shells like birds flying...
    Nicola x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your concern Nicola. The lovely patch of gorgeous spring weather is making me feel so much better already.

      Delete
  4. Sorry to hear that you've been poorly Elaine and hope that you are back to your 100% self now.
    Wonderful seaside photographs and your garden is a study of Spring !! So pretty. XXXX

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jackie - I certainly could have done without it I must say but day by day I am beginning to feel like my old self - I just don't want to overdo things too quickly.

      Delete
  5. I am glad that your are feeling better. So often after we come home from a perfectly lovey vacation, we fall ill, making us wonder if the trip was really worth it, which it was. Love your variety of treasures that you brought home. Your garden is so pretty with lots of spring color. It looks lush with vegetation all shiny and sparkely from rain, a look that we could use a little of around here. Stay well, dear friend. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whilst I was laying in bed I was afraid I was going to miss spring all together. Luckily the nice weather has lasted and everyday something new emerges and flowers - lovin' this time of year.

      Delete
  6. So sorry to hear that you have been so poorly Elaine. Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Do be careful though, nasty virus sometimes return when we do too much before completely recovering.
    I agree nature is the greatest healer................and the warmth of the sun on the back of the neck is a tonic.

    Love your seaside collection...............I collect feathers and shell with little Poppi.

    Your garden looks beautiful...........enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been taking things slowly even though I am eager to get on and get stuff done. My husband had a milder form of the virus so between the pair of us we were in a right old state - hopefully this this be the last time I will be infected - I seem to have been constantly ill this winter.

      Delete
  7. I do hope you are on the mend. I see that virus knows no boundaries and freely crosses the ocean at will for I too succumbed to it two weeks ago and the cough seemed to take forever to leave.
    Finally I am happy to report my snowdrops have bloomed and the garden has been overturned for the first time. Were still had some light snow on the weekend but alas it did not stay. Spring hopefully arrive by weeks end.
    Take care.
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am pleased for you that your snow has gone now and that you will be able to enjoy the rest of the spring blooms. These virus are so debilitating that you think you will never be well again - luckily after a couple of weeks you start feeling normal again - which, believe me, feels wonderful.

      Delete
  8. Sorry that you have been ill but glad that you are on the mend;

    ReplyDelete
  9. I was wondering where you were!!! I am so sorry you have been sick my friend...if you were closer I would drop by some soup. Glad that you are regaining your strength so that you can take in all of that beauty from your garden! Your collections are stunning as well by the way!! Here is to a week of getting back on your feet and back in the garden! Nicole xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it does seem ages since I have been around but the computer has been firmly out of bounds - I just didn't have any interest in anything - not even reading - which is unusual for me. Now the garden calls me - so blogging seems to be on the back burner for now,.

      Delete
  10. Hi Elaine, So sorry to hear that you haven't been well. I'm glad the sun shone for you on Monday as you ventured into the garden. It is the wrong time of year to be laid low with some much to do in the garden! Take it easy, as you don't want to over do it. Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Monday was an absolutely gorgeous day it was lovely just to be outside seeing what was going on and how much had changed since my last walk up the garden path - things change so quickly don't they.

      Delete
  11. Hoping you are now feeling a little better, I love all the things you have collected, especially the razor shells, they look lovely in the photo..
    Amanda xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amanda - The holiday seems so distant now - I am glad I collected all the shells etc. just to prove that we actually did go away.

      Delete
  12. Oh Elaine it's good to see a post from you! I was about to launch a search party. I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell. I hope that the garden and this lovely spring weather continues to work its magic on you so that you are soon restored to good health. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How could I fail to feel better with this wonderful weather we are having - my appetite is finally returning as is my taste for tea and coffee - strange how a virus can mess everything up. I'm glad to see the back of it I can tell you.

      Delete
  13. Oh...SO good to hear from you, I have missed you and was trying to email to check all was well, but I couldn't find an email address on your blog. You poor thing, sorry to hear you've felt so rotten, but lovely to know you've been able to get out in the garden, it is so healing isn't it! Look after you, hope all tastes well soon and you get back to being fit and healthy.Huge hugs...xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your concern Dina - I have now put my email at the bottom of the page. - just so you can check if I am in the land of the living.

      Delete
  14. Pleased to hear you are recovering from that nasty virus. The collection of shells and feathers is just wonderful and so carefully arranged.

    Ms Soup

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like your mussel butterflies, Elaine and hope you're back to full health soon. I'm off to Norfolk in a couple of weeks - thanks for the taster! Dave

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your header photo is beautiful, and it's very true that there's no peace like being down at weed-level, under the sun. I'm glad you are getting better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your kind thoughts Mise's.

      Delete
  17. I'm sorry to see that you were laid low on return from your holiday and hope that you're now feeling better. At least the weather has been good this week so I'm sure that you've spent time doing some gentle gardening.
    Take care, Flighty xx

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Flighty - yes I khave been doing some gentle gardening - retreating indoors from time to time when tiredness overtakes me - little by little one day at a time as they say.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well its almost week's end and I do hope you're feeling much better. All the lovely shades of green does much to mend the spirit.
    Susan x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Susan - I am happy to say that I am back to my old self and enjoying every minute of feeling well again.

      Delete
  20. You are so creative in your photography! Beautiful. Am so glad to know you are recovering, with the help of your garden and the sunshine. Enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Freda. My recovery is complete and I am enjoying the weekend sunshine - although it is a little blustery today - perfect for blowing away those cobwebs.

      Delete
  21. I'm so sorry to hear of your recent illness and hope that you are well on the way to recovery and full steam ahead in the garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Back to normal, thank goodness - and yes it is now full steam ahead.

      Delete
  22. Oh dear, so sorry to hear that you have been so ill since your days away - hope you are feeling much better now and that this warmer weather and being out in your garden have helped build your strength up again:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your concern Rosie - I am happy to report a full recovery - the weather has been so lovely - I am so glad not to have missed it all.

      Delete
  23. So sorry to hear you've been unwell - hope you are back to full health and vitality soon.

    You seem to be doing well in the garden ..... a lovely place to be in the fine weather.

    Have a good weekend

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jan. It is lovely to see the garden full of spring blooms - it is enough to lift anyone's spirits.

      Delete
  24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Now that's what I call a garden! : ) What lovely collections in your photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Deb - the garden is looking its best at the moment.

      Delete