In The Garden

Over the past two years the local deer have 'dined out' on our flower filled garden urns. In late spring, just as the plants mature and flower, the deer arrive and completely demolish them. But how to defeat them? From what I have read there are very few plants that deer will not eat, but I did find two perennial plants, supposedly deer averse - Nepeta and Lupins, so we decided to give them a try.  We set off early one morning to a garden centre in the valley and found exactly what we wanted.  With time to spare we decided to take a walk along the nearby canal tow-path. 

There is something very peaceful about walking besides these gentle waterways, the bird song sounds clearer, the bees buzz seems louder, the banks strewn in wild flowers, and the occasional puttering noise as a boat glides past through the water.

Years ago the bridge keeper would have been busy all day long opening and closing this white swing bridge using a hand-cranked system, but today the bridge is motor powered. As boats travel towards the bridge, they trigger an alarm in the keeper's house which alerts him to press the bridge opening controls so that they can continue on their journey up the canal.

This marina now resembles 'barge city'. There were many more boats than I have ever seen there before. I did wonder if maybe some had been purchased during the Pandemic as a means of escaping safely into the freedom and tranquility of the countryside.

Time to return back home, fill the urns with new plants, and here's hoping they survive.

Along the Towpath

Making the most of this late September warmth we have continued to explore various walks along the canal towpaths,

and are now more aware that autumns colours are slowly appearing.

Shall we go under, over, or around?

The Grey Heron and a Moorhen completely ignore us.

Clematis vitalba - Old Man's Beard

It is very peaceful, it feels good,

timeless,

but is it? This wretched virus is on the rise again in several European countries.

This year there is a very strong recommendation from WHO and our own NHS that we should all have a winter Flu vaccination. Have you booked yours? My husband has already had his, and mine is due next week.

Camera Woes

I have been wondering how long I should expect a camera to last? and whether, like our computers, there is an element of obsolescence built into them? 
For the past few months mine has been playing up. It has been acting like a mischievous child doing it's own thing, and certainly not what I want it to do! It seems that I shall simply have to bite the bullet and purchase another.

This almost end of February day was a perfect moment to walk along one of our many canal towpaths and take in some much needed February fresh air. According to the forecasters, our weather this week is coming up from the Caribbean!

 The Blackthorn blossom - Prunus spinosa is now fully open and busily decorating many of our hedgerows and byways. It is this blossom that produces the small deep blue damson like plums during the Autumn known as drupes or more commonly sloes.

Not much activity seen on the water, apart from much chasing and splashing about from the ducks - the drakes were busily pursuing any hen (female duck) that appeared in their view outnumbering them by at least three to one.

The canal boats were locked, shut up, and tied to their moorings following the winter months. Easter is late this year so they will probably begin sailing again before then.

It was lovely to walk in the sunshine and enjoy the surroundings which we had almost to ourselves. Birds were twittering and chirping in the hedge, and all was peaceful. There was just the occasional ringing sound of hammer meeting metal from across the water where the local boatyard were carrying out repairs.

Anemone blanda growing along the towpath.

The Kennet & Avon Canal

Begun in 1724, the Kennet & Avon Canal is 87 miles long, and has a total of 105 locks. It incorporates some fine examples of early engineering skills.

The Caen Hill, Wiltshire stretch of the canal, has the longest continuous flight of locks in England. It was begun in 1794 and took 16 years to complete. There are 29 locks built in three distinct groups which have a rise of 237 feet, and cover a 2 mile stretch of the canal. 
On the first section at the lower level there are 7 locks spread along the canal for ¾ of a mile - the next 16 locks painstakingly climb up Caen Hill in a gradual ladder until reaching the top. These 16 locks are followed by the final 6 locks which then convey the canal through the town of Devizes and beyond. For a canal boat to negotiate all of these locks it takes a minium of 5 - 6 hours.

Moored at the bottom of Caen Hill, and awaiting their accent are two canal boats, but it was late afternoon, the lock keepers gone home, so no more boating activity until morning.

The canals are a haven for waterfowl - a flock of Canada Geese along with a male and female Mallard

and a flight of swans overhead

At the top of the hill

and dusk is rapidly approaching.

The swans fly off into the sunset,

and the boats that climbed Caen Hill during the day, moor up for the night, before proceeding on their journey. 

The Walk

The guests have departed, August is over, and once again my birthday has come and gone.

Being an end of August child my memories are all bathed in fields rippling with gold - scenes of harvest time, fruits ripening, and a new school year beginning. Back then crop gathering would be in full swing, but now they ripen earlier and are already safely gathered in.
We like to take a family birthday walk together and see what nature and the countryside are up to, and every year we tend to be fortunate and have perfect walking weather. 

I pride myself on knowing most of our native wild flowers, but this one growing in profusion along the canal banks was a mystery. The flowers and seed heads appeared similar to Himalayan Balsam which led me on to the correct answer. It is a member of the same family i.e the Balsaminaceae family to which the Busy Lizzie also belongs - it's name is Impatiens carpensis - orange balsam.

The wild flowers, fruits, and berries were a delight, and youngest son spotted four Kingfishers, which made his day.

Along the canal towpath we discovered a restaurant which was perfect for lunch.

Then hastened to our next destination to see a small exhibition of iconic personal belongings which were kindly loaned by Zandra Rhodes.

    
 via wiki

'Egg Hat'
Zandra Rhodes was made a Dame in 2015 by the Princess Royal at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace, and this is the hat that she wore for the occasion. It was designed for her by Piers Atkinson which was made using Swarovski crystals.

'Blue Haired Lady at Night' - Zandra's own artwork,
signed and dated 1982 from her private collection

'Cherry Hat'
Zandra went to afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Princes Trust and wore this hat.

'Flower Hat'
from her personal collection by Piers Atkinson

'Andrew Logan Shoes'  
These were made for Zandra in the 1970s - her favourite shoes!

'Field of Lillies Gown'
Designed by Zandra in 1975.
In 1977 it was worn by Donna Summer, and used on the cover of her Album 'Once Upon a Time'.

Detail in the 'Field of Lilies Gown' 

   'Diana Dress'
One of the dresses designed by Zandra for Princess Diana, and replicated here on a stamp.

  I wonder, is this small cottage waiting here for me?