Old memories

A dull start to the day, even a few micro-spots of rain for a while. Spent the morning with my sister and her two cats, then after lunch decided to visit the Woodland Garden in Bushy Park where I worked from 1971-3. I had a good wander around, not too impressed with the standard of maintenance! Lots of memories and I had a chat with a couple of volunteer wardens who when I told them that I used to work there, suggested that I write down some of the stories! I suppose I should as I'm always asking others to do so! 

Walking over to the other Woodland Garden, the Waterhouse Plantation, I tried to finds the stream that we'd dug for overtime on Saturday mornings, but it's so overgrown I couldn't be sure of the course. My Blip today is of the flower of Pickerel Weed, Pontederia cordata, growing in a large clump in one of the smaller ponds, with a couple of what I think are Small skipper butterflies feeding on the nectar. The green background is duckweed!

On the way back I popped into the cafe, which wasn't there in my day, for a cuppa, drove out of the Park via the Chestnut Avenue, and turned into Sandy Lane. The house where our grandparents lived, as we did for a time in the early 1950s, is now a care home and I'd always wanted to go back to see the garden. I tapped on the door and the staff were really friendly and allowed me through the house into the back garden. Much has changed, but some recognisable features, such as one of the original Philadelphus I blipped on 9th July, remain! A good day, and a sunny evening so far!

Quote of the Day: 'There is no land like the land of your childhood.' - Michael Powell.