In between the rain, sleet and hail I biked out to the allotments. The path was foggy and actually looked quite interesting, but because at the time it was misting, I did not stop to take a pic. Later I was sorry that I didn't, but I just wanted to get to the lotties and back without getting too cold. It was that type of cold that is moist. You know the type--it seems to penetrate any clothing that you have. We call it, "water-cold", translated. Well, when I got there, the misty-drizzling rain had covered my face with a film of fine water droplets. My wax coat was dripping in the front and just plain cold in the back. As I biked down the paths of the complex I saw the sad sight of dead and dying plants left and right. Some folks have their ground ploughed and the clods of bare soil were beginning to "melt" with the rain from the past couple of weeks. Oh I tell you, it was a sight filled with dread and woe. I wondered how bad my flower garden would look. The long stretch leading to my plots. When I got there, I hopped off my bike and walked it past the gardens, :-? pulling up one side of my mouth, I just shook my head. It all looked dreadful to me. A little further, I noticed that the veggie section didn't look much better. Well, what did I expect anyway, it is November after all. I guess not having seen it for a number of days, I could still remember some freen here and there. I guess that not all was lost though, there WAS little pinheads of colour here and there. ...and a Knautia macedonica was the last of it's kind. Near the front thwere were a couple of frostbitten hollyhocks remaining colourful to the end. As I followed the path to the back, I saw these Heleniums looking quite valient, actually...although their petals were drooping a bit in the cold. After making the rounds of both allotments, I re-filled the birdseed containers , restrung more peanuts and made myself a cuppa. I just sat down and watched as the little birdies seemed to creep out from under every wee leaf. In no time they were softly chilping and peeping as the flew about and ate. It was all nice and cozy...but I just couldn't get warm I had not worn a cardi under the wax...a miscalculation. I finished the tea and washed the cup to put away and realised that there was nothing for it--I had to go back home. I had spent more than an hour and a half and had done what was necessary, but it was time to head back...I started having fantasies of a big, fat cup full of hot chocolate with whipped-cream...shoes off and pressed up against the heater at home. ...H had a little shivver and pushed-off... When I got home and changed into the "house clothes" I made the cocoa and once I was installed, my partner inquired, "So, are you going to tell me how it was"? I cupped the mug in my hands and squinted my eyes as I sort of sniffed at the steam rising out of the whipped cream...I cut my slitted eyes her way and said, "You could sum it up in a few words. You could say that I have seen the Good, the Bad and the Ugly today". The Good: The Bad: ...and The Ugly:
That cold rain penetrates clear to your bones for sure. It's the worst kind of weather. Take heart, spring is just around the corner. I wonder why they haven't come up with plants that grow all winter yet. They seem to be mixing and crossing so many things in the world. I'm not sure I like everything they do though. doolely
ahhhh, sjoerd! i love them all...the good, the bad and the ugly! what terrific pics! all that brightness in the cold and rain and dying plantlife. remarkable. what is a 'wax' coat? is it like a raincoat? is it made of plastic? dooley, what about the evergreens?!
We're having the same weather here in Scotland at the moment Sjoerd. It begins to get dark around 4pm which I hate. There's nothing much left flowering in my garden now except for some geraniums and fuschias in the greenhouse. I've fed the birds, tried to clear some soggy leaves from the grass area and pulled a few dead heads off plants. I gave up after that as the rain started to get heavier and my fingers were bright red. Roll on spring!!
I love your storytelling style Sjoerd. Vivid enough to take me there with you in my mind. I personally like the look of the 'ugly' picture. Still some color and a lot of texture...but then I prefer the look of leafless trees to trees full of green any day, more character. I would love to walk on the path thru your lottie this time of year.
I love that first photo. "The Haunted Lottie". I could feel the drizzle seeping through me and enter my bones as I read. Brrr. Now, what IS that lovely blooming climber?
The Haunted Lottie - now theres a fitting caption for that first photo! It's nice to have a little bit of color left in November
A fab tale Sjoerd. I don't mind this time of year, altho I am with you Eileen, I dread the dark afternoons. I do love the misty mornings and I quite like the decay as autumn and winter really get moving. I enjoy clearing beds and tidying things away, but come January, I am bored with it and eager for those first bulbs to poke through the ground.
Yes it is nice to even that little bit of color here in November. I'm hoping to have my first Holly Hock this next summer.
Thanks DOOLEY--I will indeed take heart. BUNKIE--A wax coat is a sort of cotton jacket that has had wax applied to it to make it waterproof. I have had mine sop lonf that the sleeves are shiney and sort of polished-looking...and the seams are beginning to let go here and there. I rue the day that I have to get rid of it. It is the warmest coat that I have. Here is a link to read a bit about them: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wax-jacket.htm EILEEN-- I am sorry to hear that you seem to be saring our weather here. I still have a couple of things that I want to do in the gardens, but this darned rain makes the ground too wet to do anything...and....I have a mole. I am glad you liked the description, TONI--I can't forget how miserable I felt that day there, underdressed. If I had not been cold, I would have enjoyed it all much more. I know what you mean about leafless trees having their charm, in fact I like seeing them too...it's just that I was so cold that not much seemed very nice that day. hahaha. DROOPY--"The Haunted Lottie"...You coined a new phrase, didn't you? It almost felt haunted that day. There wasn't anyone there at all, except the birdies. Now Droopy, I am surprised that you do not recognize that blooming climber--it's the Clematis "Freckles". It blooms twice a year. NETTY_-- It sure is nice to have a bit of colour at this time of year. It really is a LITTLE bit in my garden. Thanks EJ--glad you liked the posting this time. I like the last clean-up berfore the winter sets in too...I just wish it would stop raining so that I could finish. Ah well..there are always the catalogues. I just recall that I have some crocusses to plant for the bees in the spring. Glad I thought of that. Petunia, I am really hoping that your first hollyhock will be a success next year. Just don't forget a foto or two...oké? My fingers ate crossed tightly for you.
I like this post too... You know, I'll try not to get too corny here, but the most important lessons that I've learned about life have been learned in my gardens. To me, gardens are all about resilience and NEVER giving up, even when it's cold and things look bleak on the outside. There is always the promise of Spring and new beginnings, you know? And even this time of year, underneath all the brown, crusty stuff... we all know how much life is continuing down underneath, quiet and busy. My fondest thrill is to find the smallest tiniest shoot trying its hardest to make it under difficult circumstances. Or a sweet little bloom holding onto its color till the last possible moment. All of these things make me love my garden in all the Seasons... On the other hand, I'm warm and snug in my little house right now having these ideas... Would I have ridden my bike in the cold rain? Not sure.... So my hat is off to you Sjoerd!!! I like your lottie all year round.
I'm with Bunkie, the photos and storytelling are wonderful. The lottie walk looks like a place I'd love to walk through. Those misty mornings are always awe inspiring, and I always wish I had a camera when I see them (on the way to work), but sleep in every time I have the time...maybe you have inspired me to get up tomorrow and take some photos ( :-? ).
After reading your post Sojerd, I am really glad to be living in a tropical country and having my mini-farm right in my front yard. :-D Sometimes when it is really hot and humid here I do wish I am in a temperate country which I had not been to now for a very long time. Your description of the cold really remind me of the time I was in Germany a long time ago ..... sigh!!!
