View from the shady seats, August 2011

This looks wonderful! I know what you mean about things being scorched and starting to fade :(

But the anticiapation of next year is half the enjoyment! Your garden still looks good, you have a lot going on.

looks wonderful K, you've done a great job there...

Thank you all :)))
Although the end of the flowering season is a bit sad, I have to admit that I am really looking forward to seeing everything again next year, a bit more mature and maybe even in the right place...since there was nothing there but grass in March!

Looks great Karen, you should be very proud of yourself. My back garden was all lawn in March - it's starting to take a bit of shape and will need a few more visits to the GCs and nurseries next year.....yipee!!!!

Seconded, Scottish, yipee!! lol!! :)))

Really nice Karen. Just think you can bring back some interesting seeds from your travels!!!

Thank you Alex, I have been thinking that very same thing! :))

Looks a lovely place to sit and chill :o)))

Thanks P :)))

It is gravel, J...but it was all done in a hurry to get a garden started quick...next year will start to see it evolve...I'm having a little more work done whilst I'm away - stone and oak facings... and the lawn won't stay as it is!

It looks beautiful already. You have done a great job in a short time.

Thank you, Constancep :)
It was incredibly hard work in April and May!!
But, although I have moaned about the heat and the rain this year it has been good for getting things established...not the flowers, maybe, but the roots! :))

That looks so tranquil there Karen..and I see you hvae a statue!!!!!! Take a pic please? x

Hi Pixi! That's Apollo! Will do!!x

Nice cool place to sit....:o))

I love it! :)

I just wish that I'd taken more account of the fact that it is the only shady part of the garden before I laid it all out...still, there's time yet for change!!

I think it looks perfect..lovely garden :) If I was nearer I would have come and looked after it for you!

Thanks Pixi, the thought is much appreciated! :))

It's far from perfect, though...it's the ONLY shade in the garden and at the moment it's too hot to be outside much...:((

Might rearrange things a wee bit next year so we have a little bit of respite!!

Lucky you its damn cold here today!

I know, Pixi :(
So I know I really shouldn't really complain, but we're in the midst of an 'exceptional heatwave'...
...and, dare I say, I'm off over to the pool now...cold dip required!!!

OOOh I'm so jealous! a pool too! oh well I supppose if it gets hot I could dangle my feet in the wee pond lol ;)

I'd love to see your pool area Karen. You don't see too many on this site.

It's an above ground pool, girls semi-interred...but fairly large. We've decked around it to a height which was acceptable to the neighbours and enclosed it with lap fencing. Around the outside I've planted photinia and ligustrum to eventually hide the whole thing. Inside it's very bare...I would have planted big pots of palms and things but since we're going away, I didn't think there was much point as they would probably die...
You'll probably be disappointed, but I'll post a pic if you like... :)

Yes please :) Have yet to be disappointed by you!

No plants! but okay... :)))

It looks amazing to me !! Stunning view

You graden must be HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Thank you Paul...the countryside around makes a wonderful backdrop! :))

indeed yes :)))))

:)))))