The distant hills are calling me but I have to turn my back and put my nose to the grind stone. I have hardly stepped beyond the garden gate all week. As any of you who are gardeners know, there is so much to do at this time of year. Certainly no time for exploring and trailing the hills. Little by little the hedgerows are greening and leaves unfurling on the trees. The weather has warmed up considerably and soon I will only be venturing out in the dew-pearled morning and in the cool of the evening - the heat of the summer doesn't suit me and I stay in the shadows.
This week sees me 'under the weather' with a heavy cold; hot one minute; cold the next - bundling under blankets or streaming with perspiration - feverish. My throat is sore from coughing and my head pounds and my nose red enough to give Rudolph serious competition. But there is no time to linger in bed feeling sorry for myself - I have seedlings and young plants to attend to if I want the garden to be decorative and productive for the coming season.
Any spare time I have had I have been re-reading 'Cold Mountain' which I have to say is one of my favourite novels. The prose is exquisite, so descriptive that it just carries me away, back to a time when everyday was one of survival against the odds.
As I work the garden is full of birdsong and blossom - it really is a delight and my favourite time of year without a doubt. The early spring bulbs have all but finished flowering now and the summer pots have been filled and waiting in readiness in the greenhouse.
And when I feel my old self again and this wretched cold has run its course I hope to once again enjoy roaming the countryside looking for adventures new.
Apologies to all those I haven't visited this week - please feel free to admonish me - guilty as charged.
Elaine
I sense a secret late night post. Lovely to see those photos and you here tonight. I have had two colds in quick succession, so out of the ordinary and so annoying. I know how you feel. At last the weather is good. How lighter it makes me feel. I hope the same is for you Elaine.x
ReplyDeleteLate evening before I retire seems to be the only time I have to blog at the moment Rachel. Summer colds are no fun are they but at least the sun is shining and yes it does make you feel better that's for sure.
DeleteYour photo perked me up and I hope that although you have been ill, the promise of getting your hands in the cool dark earth gives you happiness. I'm chipping away in my gardens. Got the herb garden neatened up, tomorrow mulch.
ReplyDeleteFeel well soon, Elaine.
Jane
I feel exactly the same way as you about the heat of the summer, especially after last year when we seemed to have three months of heatwave - the worst I've ever known in these parts. This is also my favourite time of the year and I've been planting my balcony garden too, sowing seeds and trying out new plants. The birdsong wakes me earlier and earlier these day, but I don't mind!
ReplyDeleteI hope your cold will soon be behind you and you can forget the discomfort of it and enjoy the season!
Poor you, I know exactly how you feel. There's nothing worse than being incapacitated when there are exciting things that HAVE to be done. I wish you a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteYour garden photos are beautiful. I hope so much you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Elaine and become fit enough to roam the countryside once more. This week has been lovely and your garden positively sparkles in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking beautiful. Sorry to hear about your cold, you have my sympathy as I've had one too this week (in the warmest week of the year!) It's unfair, isn't it?! Hope you recover from yours soon and that you can fully enjoy being outside at this lovely time of year.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to see that you've had a cold and I hope that you feel better soon. I don't like it too warm either. Lovely pictures, especially the fourth one with the white flowers and shiny leaves.
ReplyDeleteTake care, and happy gardening, Flighty xx
Sorry you've been "under the weather", Elaine - and what weather, eh? Freezing last week and sweltering this. Temperature in my garden today is 27C! As you say, it's a busy time of year for the gardener. For me it's the best time, because everything seems so full of promise!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better soon. Spring is such a busy time of year for the gardener.
ReplyDeleteFeel better soon, and take a walk over them hills. From nothing to every day filled with nature and gardening to..
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Sorry you are not well. I hope the better weather helps you improve,
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon, but so nice to hear birdsong, and so lovely to see blossom at this time of year.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Get well soon Elaine, a little gentle pottering is just the ticket.
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. There is something very perverse about a cold in summer. Exacerbated by pollen perhaps? Is the house nearly put to rights?
ReplyDeleteAfraid not Lucille - we still haven't got the go ahead as the walls are taking their sweet time to dry out - still 50% moisture - it's going to be a long wait methinks.
DeleteI am sorry to hear you have been under the weather. I love Charles Frazier, have you read Thirteen Moons? It is a busy time for gardeners, I have spent the afternoon out there baking in the sunshine :)
ReplyDeleteHope you will feel well again soon and able to enjoy your lovely garden. It is a busy time of year and it is too warm in the middle of the day to do anything other than shelter indoors in in the shade:)
ReplyDeleteThe garden is looking pretty Elaine and yes it is getting warmer each day.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you begin to feel better soon. Lots of lemon honey and ginger. Take care of yourself xxxxx
Ah Elaine may you soon be well. U certainly relate to those garden chores. Unfortunately we ate too Have a rather wet week so not too much gardening going on here. Love seeing your lovely photos. I too love to ramble through the country side this time of the year. Take care.
ReplyDeleteOh my Elaine - if you can figure out the above message you will be doing good. Typed it on my phone instead of the computer. Hope you will soon be well. It is to rain here all week - so not much gardening happening here either. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteNow why am I not receiving email notifications of your posts???? Damn glitches, I shall just have to call by each week...
ReplyDeleteOh, you poor thing, a horrid cold on top of everything else! I do hope you feel better soon, well done though getting out in the garden. I must check that book out as I haven't read it.xxx