Hikes and Stangs

We have had two days of glorious sunshine.

Yesterday we went to Freshwinds Garden to do a few odd jobs.

I trimmed the willow arch and saved all the prunings to make pentagrams. 

When I get some good photos I will post them.

Willow prunings

I spread some more chipped bark round the newly planted willow whips.

The pile from my nephew Alex has nearly all been used.

Sorry about the blob on the camera. It is a nuisance and may be sorted soon.

The area where we sit in the shelter of the cob shed for tea, is getting quite muddy so we used some of the rubber matting from the childrens` playground to protect it a bit more..

My sister Paula, noticed a mouse going in and out of the insect hotel (plus a few flies!!!)

The turf is well and truly rooted. It`s not long before we must try the sedum idea, which involves turning the turf over and planting the sedum in the soil, ready to go on the cob shed roof.

Today we have been for a 5 mile hike through the lane to Icklesham where we had lunch at the 17th century pub "The Queen`s Head." They do very good food. Amazingly, we sat outside. It`s not often you can sit outside for a meal in February, in England.

The views from here to Rye across the marshes is quite inspiring.

The main road to Rye was busy as usual.

The lanes were full of celandines....

 

......and primroses.

On the way home I noticed this mini-world of lichen and moss.

We are also on the lookout for good stang material.

There is plenty in the hedgerows....the result of the annual hedge trimming.

Back in our own garden, there was plenty to gladden the heart.......

....including my sister`s ginger cake and banana cake which we are trying out!!!!

They are trial runs for the campers when they come.

Delicious.