May 1906

7th May 1906
"Weather very close and sultry.  I discovered most carefully hidden Robin's nest today in a marshy spinney in Elmdon Park.  I was stooping down to gather some cowslips, when a robin fled out over my hand, from under the roots of an Alder tree growing close beside me; it was quite a small tree, supported by four strong roots, which held it up clear of the ground, forming an archway.  In this cavity, right under the centre of the tree was placed a nest which contained five eggs.  The Crab apple trees and bushes are looking very beautiful now, covered with pink blossom and crimson buds."

The above is an entry from Edith Holden's nature notes "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" which was published in 1977 and 1978.  I still have my book from 1978 and love it as much now as I did then. Edith Holden recorded in words and paintings the flora and fauna of the British countryside through the changing seasons of the year. The book was so popular at the time that it triggered a whole range of kitchen accessories - I still have two flan dishes, a butter dish and we did have a duvet cover and matching curtains!!!  I wonder what Edith would have thought of all this.

The weather is so lovely today and I leave you with some photos, one of our own flowering Crab apple tree and other garden beauties.

You can just see Jasper's mini football - here in the bottom right .

Comments

[julie]

beautiful pictures Zoe - the garden is looking wonderful and your strawberry plants look very healthy. I love your little veg patch - it looks like you'll have some delicious things to eat from your garden as well as enjoying the beauty.

[alison]

Lovely garden you have. Enjoy.

[Cornflower]

I still have my copy of The Country Diary from the late 70s too!
Wonderful pictures from your garden.

[Kate/Massachusetts]

Wow! Your gardens are gorgeous! What is the potted tree with the red leaves? It is stunning. I think I have seen that type of tree as a bonsai.

[Gemma]

Oh wow you have been busy - your garden is a picture.