I haven’t been busy in the garden. Post the wedding we decided to just let it go…. and go. Mostly laziness? Probably.
7th September
The Textiliste who hates the idea of time wasted is curating a community textile show this coming weekend so the house is full of stands and racks and props and plans.
The operations centre aka the dining room
The venue is a super-dooper house in the centre of the village, Bell House. Currently it’s a film set for some costume thingy but they promise to be out by Friday so we can set up.
More on that later. For my part I’ve been writing a fair bit – I have decided to turn the posts I wrote under the title of The Secret Diary Of The Father Of The Fiancéd into a short book – and finalising the launch of the latest book. The test copy of the paperback came back today and looks pretty fine.
And the garden? Here are a few shots from the last fortnight. You can see we’ve gone rather mad with the peppers…
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.
As always, lovely garden! And I want more peppers. They were the one of only two veggies I was able to grow well this year. The other was okra. So, I can’t complain.
I know, that’s a bit of a misnomer, given the efforts before the wedding. But, yes, it’s just running under its own steam, a bit of dead heading and mowing the lawn but no watering or spraying etc. We’re experimenting really, aiming to find the most robust approach to a colourful meadow garden.
Therein lies the adventure and fun. In late summer-early fall, our garden is definitely running under its own steam, but I’m glad I dead headed the phlox some weeks ago, because its second blooms are gorgeous and I need that colour at this time of year.
If that’s a neglected garden, i’ll eat my straw hat! How beautiful! Has your canine companion unusual gardening skills we need to know about?! Cheers. x
He’s a great cheerleader, but the lack of opposable thumbs and an inclination to burn the lawn rather limits his usefulness. My wife, though, has proved to be a shrewd bargain…!! Dad said when they first met how lucky I was. I don’t recall him telling her that!
Excellent idea about the book! 😀 … Dog’s Garden Maintenance Service seems to be keeping its head above water. 🙂 … glad you’ve take the season off, mostly, you’ve earned it!
TanGental 
If that is neglected I reckon Dog has been deadheading and cutting the lawns!
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Well, ok we do deadhead and mow… but apart from that what have the Romans ever done…?
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Have you seen the state of Hadrian’s wall since he stopped the maintenance?
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It’s his people that are the problem. You just can’t get the staff…
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Dog was saying the same thing!
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Perceptive canine…
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Yours is by far my favorite corner of England. 🙂
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Thank you. There are many more equally delightful but we are glad we have ours…
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As always, lovely garden! And I want more peppers. They were the one of only two veggies I was able to grow well this year. The other was okra. So, I can’t complain.
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We’ve managed a crop of tomatoes that dodged the blight others endured and some custard marrows but veg was a bit on the back burner this time round.
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Such a lovely garden. Sounds like you two are staying busy.
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I’m dithering if I’m honest. Mrs LeP, though is whirling dervishly…
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Who needs Chelsea (Flower Show)?!
Please pass on my best wishes for a successful textile show 🙂
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It’s pretty spectacular even if I say so myself… we’re planning on collecting as much seed as possible and seeing what we can do with it.
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You could be charging $$ for people to meander through (Dog could lead the tour) AND you could sell the peppers too!
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Yes, though the son and heir is keen on the peppers which we are now freezing. I’d throw it open in a heartbeat; Mrs LeP not so much.
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Wow. That garden looks beautiful AND prolific. You call that letting it go?
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I know, that’s a bit of a misnomer, given the efforts before the wedding. But, yes, it’s just running under its own steam, a bit of dead heading and mowing the lawn but no watering or spraying etc. We’re experimenting really, aiming to find the most robust approach to a colourful meadow garden.
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Therein lies the adventure and fun. In late summer-early fall, our garden is definitely running under its own steam, but I’m glad I dead headed the phlox some weeks ago, because its second blooms are gorgeous and I need that colour at this time of year.
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Woo, woo, woo and good luck with the books , if I can help in anyway please just shout 💜
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Ta everso!
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Garden looks fabulous. Good luck with the textile show. You live a charmed life as does dog.
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I do, it’s true. It must be the oofle dust trees….
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Your garden still looks so beautiful. I already started to clear it out. The cold and too wet summer caused an early withering for many flowers.
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We’ve managed to hold it back so the current warm dry spell here is doing wonders. We’re betting how long we can eek it out…
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Sending nurturing thougjts to your plants. Thank you so much for sharing this beauty with us, Geoff😊🌻🌼🏵️
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Sure they’ll listen, thank you Erika!!
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😊
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Beautiful, Geoff.
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Flatterer… oh, the garden? That, too!
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😁
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If that’s a neglected garden, i’ll eat my straw hat! How beautiful! Has your canine companion unusual gardening skills we need to know about?! Cheers. x
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He’s a great cheerleader, but the lack of opposable thumbs and an inclination to burn the lawn rather limits his usefulness. My wife, though, has proved to be a shrewd bargain…!! Dad said when they first met how lucky I was. I don’t recall him telling her that!
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The garden is still stunning Geoff and a riot of beautiful colours.
Hugs
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It’s gone bonkers, as if it wants another wedding…
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Absolutely stunning. But enough about Dog, the garden is look blooming lovely too. And those are well deserving of the book treatment.
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Thank you. Dog is touched…
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Hurray for your long-suffering wife then.Geoff! Hat off to
her. x
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Still looking splendid. Good to see unlighted tomatoes
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Lazy or not, your garden is looking splendid, Geoff. Congratulations on another new book.
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Your garden is apparently doing fine without you – except for mowing. You and it are an inspiration to all us wanna-be’s. Congrats on the new book!
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Thank you all round
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Excellent idea about the book! 😀 … Dog’s Garden Maintenance Service seems to be keeping its head above water. 🙂 … glad you’ve take the season off, mostly, you’ve earned it!
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It’s hard not to potter…
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