Rain stopped work

Rain has stopped work. At present they’re all sat in the garage, drinking their tea as the water comes down. This is going to be the chance to check all their efforts at improving the drainage have worked.

Meanwhile the frogs they’ve had to keep moving around will enjoy plopping from puddle to puddle. (Every time they put a fence prop in they had to empty the prepared hole of frogs first.)

We’ve aroused much curiosity in the neighbourhood. One of the men doing the planting has remarked every time he turns round a row of heads dips out of sight behind the new fences.

When the plants arrived on Wednesday we were suddenly visited by a range of insects. I think we had more butterflies visit than we usually have most summers. As for the bees…. The designer has clearly got it right in choosing plants to appeal to them.

Come the evening, when all is quiet, Mr Blackbird comes do his inspection. Now the soil’s being moved around with the planting, he’s having a rootle around for worms while he’s here. He’s clearly reserved his spot on the pergola for when peace returns.

After him comes the collared dove. Another careful inspection is carried out. Approval seems to be made.

I’m sure all the birds will be happier when the bird table & feeders return, and the new trees are all in, especially when they start to bush out a bit.

So far all is looking good. The courtyard garden is all paved now, along with the path around the laundry room to it. They started on the main patio area today, along with the ramps to the back door. However, rain has stopped work now. When it is as heavy as it is now, the rain tends to wash the cement away before the paving has chance to settle in it.

Next week more plants will be coming, along with the turf for the lawned area. Fortunately there’s not a lot of the latter, just enough to give a bit of extra greenness.