Various
Brythen is still creeping about looking somewhat woe, but he is a bit brighter. Ten days without walks is going to be... difficult, I suspect. But at the moment he's being surprisingly good and quiet. Unlike some of the other residents:

I did the Big Butterfly Count today, but given the number of supposedly butterfly-enticing nectar-producing plants in my garden, the number of butterflies was disappointing: one Tortoiseshell, one Small White and one Meadow Brown. Plenty of bumble bees and hoverflies though, which I suppose is still a win.


In other garden news, I have with the help of the Victoriana Nursery determined that the Actinidia Arguta that I foolishly bought from the Thompson and Morgan catalogue was in fact a male plant. Which is all very well for the flowers, I suppose, but it was the only actinidia arguta listed, and it was in the fruit section! Being a boy, it's pretty useless in that department. So I have now bought (from the Victoriana Nursery) a pair of Lady Argutas: one Actinidia Arguta Issai, which is the variety I thought I'd bought in the first place, and is self fertile, and also another wife for him, Arguta 'Jumbo'. And I have severely cut back my boy Arguta, to make room to plant Madam Jumbo next to him. I hope these plants will be more successful in the fruit department.
We've also been out hacking at the jungle. There's still a great deal of jungle left, but the bonfire heap is starting to look like a young Greenwitch, so some impact is being made.
And now Rosie is squeaking at me so I'd better trot her down the lane before she breaks out into full-fledged Saluki Nose Whistle mode.

I did the Big Butterfly Count today, but given the number of supposedly butterfly-enticing nectar-producing plants in my garden, the number of butterflies was disappointing: one Tortoiseshell, one Small White and one Meadow Brown. Plenty of bumble bees and hoverflies though, which I suppose is still a win.


In other garden news, I have with the help of the Victoriana Nursery determined that the Actinidia Arguta that I foolishly bought from the Thompson and Morgan catalogue was in fact a male plant. Which is all very well for the flowers, I suppose, but it was the only actinidia arguta listed, and it was in the fruit section! Being a boy, it's pretty useless in that department. So I have now bought (from the Victoriana Nursery) a pair of Lady Argutas: one Actinidia Arguta Issai, which is the variety I thought I'd bought in the first place, and is self fertile, and also another wife for him, Arguta 'Jumbo'. And I have severely cut back my boy Arguta, to make room to plant Madam Jumbo next to him. I hope these plants will be more successful in the fruit department.
We've also been out hacking at the jungle. There's still a great deal of jungle left, but the bonfire heap is starting to look like a young Greenwitch, so some impact is being made.
And now Rosie is squeaking at me so I'd better trot her down the lane before she breaks out into full-fledged Saluki Nose Whistle mode.
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This is the first year I haven't seen our local White Admirals, though.
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Rosie really does do excellent smug face :)
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Today's the first day of the school holidays and it is of course raining, so the butterfly count here will probably be "one soggy meadow brown".
I'm glad to hear Brythen's feeling a bit brighter, poor lad. Rosie does seem to be rubbing it in a bit though...
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Maybe they have all followed the whippet and gone to the pub. I hope the pub has enough tiny tiny glasses...