The Garden is one of our favourite things about Towancott. Now that summer is properly on its way it is really starting to shake off the effects of a long, hard winter.  It snowed here over the winter for the first time in 10 years and a few of the plants have succumbed.  Nothing that a quick trip to the fabulous Chancewater Garden Centre can’t put right. The oxeye daisy is looking very pleased with itself at the moment, and seems to be on a mission to take over.

Having a kitchen that opens onto the garden is such a treat in the summer. New to the garden this season is the wooden picnic table which we have put just outside the kitchen. Being able to step outside to enjoy a meal or an early evening drink is a lovely thing to do in this secluded garden. The strong, coastal winds and salty air are a challenging environment for any garden furniture, so we hope our new acquisition, will last a few years.

The lawn is growing at an alarming rate, as if it’s trying to make up for lost time.  Not only does in look great, but we have three wild baby rabbits who like to visit the garden to nibble the fresh shoots. Early morning is a good time to spot them through the kitchen window.

The local finches and tits were in full flow during the springtime competitive nesting season and boy how they liked to tell each other about it!  We usually have three or four nests in the garden during spring time, and the early morning chorus is really quite something!  This year we had a family of wagtails nesting in the wall of the laundry, and the diligent parents were very busy delivering what seemed like an endless supply of nutrition for their young.

Our neighbours in the field are lovely boys, and quite like to peep through the hedge when there are people in the garden. Towan farm, across the road, is a beef farm these days and these chaps are put out to fatten up on the lush new grass at this time of year.

 

The climbing frame has had a mini facelift, too, and we have added a new swing, and a rope ladder above the climbing wall. All set for the summer! Hope it’s a good one!