My name is Geoff Le Pard. Once I was a lawyer; now I am a writer. I've published several books: a four book series following Harry Spittle as he grows from hapless student to hapless partner in a London law firm; four others in different genres; a book of poetry; four anthologies of short fiction; and a memoir of my mother. I have several more in the pipeline.
I have been blogging regularly since 2014, on topic as diverse as: poetry based on famous poems; memories from my life; my garden; my dog; a whole variety of short fiction; my attempts at baking and food; travel and the consequent disasters; theatre, film and book reviews; and the occasional thought piece. Mostly it is whatever takes my fancy.
I avoid politics, mostly, and religion, always. I don't mean to upset anyone but if I do, well, sorry and I suggest you go elsewhere.
These are my thoughts and no one else is to blame. If you want to nab anything I post, please acknowledge where it came from.
I’ve always loved your garden photos. Each spring, my favorite thing to see is tiny shoots breaking through the warming earth. Like your daffodils (though those aren’t shoots anymore). But magnolias are stunning, especially against the blue sky. When they blossom, it’s glorious.
This blog post put a smile on my face. Love the daffodils, the green grass, the blue sky, the white clouds, and the hint of magnolia blossoms. Please tell/remind me more about the wonderful being who is Vicky. Has she been hibernating all winter somewhere?
Vicky is an 80 year old female tortoise who we’ve fostered since her last carers moved to California in 2000. She hibernated in straw in a rabbit hutch in that garage between late Ocotbrr and mid march. Every day, if the temperature is above 5C from 1st March we put her hutch outside until we hear her moving. Then we put her outside during the day until we’re fairly sure the frosts are past. At that point we have a fenced bed where she stays outside. We feed her daily – cucumber soft fruit like plums or peaches and some specialist tortoise food made from dandelions. If we are working in the lower garden we let her roam the lawn. She loved clover. But she will disappear if we don’t keep and eye out and test the fences. We’re known locally as the tortoise people so if she escapes out neighbours bring her back… I think we may donate her to a tortoise sanctuary given her age. But we shall see.
What a fabulous place, your garden. Even with Vicky crawling around, or maybe because of her. Our Bradford pears are in full bloom, along with redbuds and tulip trees (of the magnolia family).
One of my favorite memories of England in the spring is the park in Liverpool with the acres and acres of daffodils.
Your yard looks so Springy, Geoff, and beautiful. The blooming magnolia is wonderful. Ack, I’m jealous as we are still gray, rainy, and well, gray. But I did see one solitary daffodil this morning… so it’s trying. Beautiful post.
Wow. Well, I had no idea, and you just made my day, Geoff. Time for a happy dance. Thank you so much for letting me know, and of course, I’m honored that you’re taking the time to read. Hugs.
TanGental 
Congratulations, als to a great garden! 😉 Have a nice day! Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
:-)) Always with a great pleasure, Geoff. Have a nice day! Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous! Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Will do!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay, Vicky!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And she’s off…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, Vicky. 🙂
I’ve always loved your garden photos. Each spring, my favorite thing to see is tiny shoots breaking through the warming earth. Like your daffodils (though those aren’t shoots anymore). But magnolias are stunning, especially against the blue sky. When they blossom, it’s glorious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s the perfect time when that new growth bursts.. so worth waiting for
LikeLiked by 1 person
This blog post put a smile on my face. Love the daffodils, the green grass, the blue sky, the white clouds, and the hint of magnolia blossoms. Please tell/remind me more about the wonderful being who is Vicky. Has she been hibernating all winter somewhere?
LikeLike
Vicky is an 80 year old female tortoise who we’ve fostered since her last carers moved to California in 2000. She hibernated in straw in a rabbit hutch in that garage between late Ocotbrr and mid march. Every day, if the temperature is above 5C from 1st March we put her hutch outside until we hear her moving. Then we put her outside during the day until we’re fairly sure the frosts are past. At that point we have a fenced bed where she stays outside. We feed her daily – cucumber soft fruit like plums or peaches and some specialist tortoise food made from dandelions. If we are working in the lower garden we let her roam the lawn. She loved clover. But she will disappear if we don’t keep and eye out and test the fences. We’re known locally as the tortoise people so if she escapes out neighbours bring her back… I think we may donate her to a tortoise sanctuary given her age. But we shall see.
LikeLike
What a fabulous place, your garden. Even with Vicky crawling around, or maybe because of her. Our Bradford pears are in full bloom, along with redbuds and tulip trees (of the magnolia family).
One of my favorite memories of England in the spring is the park in Liverpool with the acres and acres of daffodils.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The daffodils have been exceptional this year. One of the joys of our parks but lockdown has kept me local sadly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morning Vicky💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Morning ladies…
LikeLike
Bless 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
What about Dog?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was watching her rather scornfully if truth be told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Such beautiful photos–made my morning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent
LikeLiked by 1 person
Charge on, Vicky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s off and… well, not running, but fast strutting…
LikeLike
Happy spring Geoff and Vicky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you John. We are pleased!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine.
LikeLike
Your yard looks so Springy, Geoff, and beautiful. The blooming magnolia is wonderful. Ack, I’m jealous as we are still gray, rainy, and well, gray. But I did see one solitary daffodil this morning… so it’s trying. Beautiful post.
LikeLike
Thanks so much. Enjoying book three with Naj and Alue and Talin right now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. Well, I had no idea, and you just made my day, Geoff. Time for a happy dance. Thank you so much for letting me know, and of course, I’m honored that you’re taking the time to read. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t even realize that tortoises went into that kind of torpor. Maybe I was born into the wrong species.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re inner turtle is coming out, is it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy spring! It’s my favourite season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!! Vicky as well!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome spring! It’s good to see Vicky up and moving around.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello, Spring! And hello, Vicky!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mike. Hope you enjoy my nonsense
LikeLiked by 1 person