In The Five Island Kingdom Of The Trolls--Part 2

Another day Droopy could not be with us because she had to receive hay for her horses and place it in the loft of her horse stables. We suggested that we could help and she thought that that would be nice…and extras pair of hands.

Well, as it turned out a lot of the stable renters turned up and …actually we were not really needed and I wonder if we were not more in the way as helpful. Hahaha

The truck with the hay bales was a bit late and as it turned out, did not bring quite enough hay.
The truck was loaded full though.


A stall worker getting stuck in.


I am up there working with this attractive “Viking Woman” receiving the bales. Folks switched jobs from time to time.


I had done this type of work as a child, and was pleased to see that I could still lift a bale.

Near the end of out stay we were taken out to celebrate one of Droopy’s daughter’s birthday. I was a feast at a Turkish restaurant. I was in heaven and enjoyed the meal thoroughly. Those folks are so nice…and were super good to us. Unforgettable. The restaurant food was delicious to be sure, but Droopy’s man can cook! He prepared a varied menu for us every day. Just too nice for words. I had to restrain myself a bit so as not to embarrass my bride. Well, I actually did very little restraining…you know, if you eat a lot then it is a compliment to the chef—that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

When we visited, Droopy took us to meet her mum and another woman…both of which had truly remarkable gardens, rivaling Droopy’s own.

Droopy’s mum and I really seemed to hit it off and she took me around and showed and explained her plants and the layout. I could have stayed there literally for hours and hours and hours…and I think that Droopy was afraid that I might just do that! Cackle.

Droopy’s mum and I were finally torn apart and my bride and I were ushered to the auto because we had to go and visit another special woman with a special garden.

Here is Droopy’s mum preparing some cuttings of New Zeeland Edelweis for us to bring back home.


They have already begun to grow, which means to me that they have already rooted. I shall plant them out in march.

I really WOULD be remiss if I did not show some foto’s of Droopy’s garden wouldn’t I. To begin with, a couple of shots taken from outside the grounds.




Some random views.






Some grain tied in a bunch to feed the birds.




She will have to tell you which hosta that was. Droopy, her mum and the special lady all have numerous hosta’s that were such a pleasure to see.

I saw this little clump of gentian. It looked so nice there. I really do lurve the colour of gentian.


What better way to end the tour than to show one of the last butterflies showing off…Definitely not ready for hibernation yet, as there are still some plums left over by the tree for them to slurp on.


This is the final chapter in our travels this fall. I have already made it clear what wonderful and gracious hosts that Droopy and her family were, so I shan’t pile more on top of that—she’d only get a bigger head from it don’tcha know.

We did have a great time there and in Denmark—an exciting trip and I hope that you have enjoyed it too.

 

You got to visit Droopy! How marvelous, and thank you for sharing the photos and the narrative. One question, did you get to pet Truls?

 

Awww, Sjoerd, you're too nice. We loved having you, and the extra pair of hands with the hay was a big help. The stable owners thought it was great fun to have Dutch people visiting too. As for the food, it was plain Norwegian fare. Nothing fancy at all. We Norwegians like to feed people. We don't say "I love you". We feed people instead. *lol* So if you don't eat a lot we feel that we've failed. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. As for nice people, you're not too bad yourselves.

I have to say that you've made my garden look a lot better than it is. It's hardly recognizible. The hosta is Frances Williams, a nice, big, easy one. We've still got a few Admiral butterflies fluttering about, and we've still got plants blooming, but I do hope they leave before the frost sets in.

 

How fantastic to be able to visit! Nice for you. Droopy, to get the extra help unloading the hay, and helping Sjoerd keep him in shape. You and your Mother have beautiful yards. It sounds like everyone had a good time.

 

You are right TONI--her garden really is beautiful...even when it is in the process of going over. The structure and remaining blooms are smashing.

MG--It was great visiting Droopy. I did not pet Truls.

EILEEN--Yeah, it was an important aspect of the visit (meeting Droopy's mum). I really liked her a lot and being with her just that short time, I felt as if I had known her for years. That's the way it can go sometimes.
I am pretty sure that Ian and Droopy's bloke would hit it off. I mean if Droopy's chap can get along with the likes of me, Ian would be a piece of cake. Her man is such a calm and intelligent person and has a very good sense of humour. My kind of humour.

DROOPY--You say the nicest things.

2OF--It was indeed a great time. I enjoyed meeting the stable group. There were some nice and charming folks there.

 

Thanks again for including us in your travels. These last two chapters are wonderful and beautiful. Meeting Droopy was the icing on the cake.

 

All I can say is how great it was for you to visit Droopy...the photos again are beautiful....

 

DONNA--That sure was icing on the cake. Glad you liked the threads.

SHERRY--Thanks for responding to the posting. Droopy really is a lovely person.

 

Never knew what hay was really for till our experience in Germany. You have a conveyer to move the bales up to the second floor, that's cool. In Germany we had to move the bales up from the stack with a gardening fork. It was hard work but fun!!!

 

Working with hay is heavy work no matter how you have to shift it.
I have done a lot of that sort of work when I was younger.
Yeah--hot, sweaty and heavy work.

 

I'm not sure how I missed this thread, but I am so happy that I found it! I am envious that you were able to tour Droopy's gardens as well as her Mother's gardens! I probably would have been there for many hours as well!
Hay is definitely hard work, no doubt about it. Droopy - your gardens are lovely! Tell me ... is that your 'Empress Wu' in the 8th photo down?

 

Netty--It was so nice seeing Droopy's neck of the woods as well as meeting her mum. Her mum and I became so engrossed in chatting and talking plants that my bride and Droopy got antsy to leave. The time just got away with me. Gosh, I liked that woman. Her garden was so remarkable an I was impressed at the passion with-which she spoke of her plants.
Tja--what a woman.

 

Well spotted, Netty. It's next to the tipsy planter, and no, it's not as big as it ought to be yet. Next year I'm going to feed her horse manure, cow manure and special fertilizer as well as being very thorough with the water hose if the weather turns hot and dry. (Hah, as if!)