Such a treat!

FREEDOM at last. I know it is not total freedom but it was lovely travelling along through the countryside to see animals in fields again and those plants at the garden centre Sigh! I am looking forward to my first trip out to a garden centre but it may be a while yet as the restrictions are not lifted for us. I worry that the mixed messages are going to send us in to deeper quarantine than the spell we are enduring now. I do like that Scilla peruviana. Mine seem to have vanished which is very disappointing but my golden crab apple 'Golden Hornet' is looking spectacular. It seems to be a very reliable flowering tree and the golden apples last right through the winter. Thank you for sharing. I enjoyed my outing with you.

Lovely views Shirley, there's something very restful about cattle grazing in a meadow. You live in a beautiful area. I'm glad you went to the garden centre.
Ours are open but I don't know when I'll go.

Lovely blog, Shirley. I’m pleased you both enjoyed your first taste of freedom in some time - especially to a garden centre. Your garden centre looks a lovely one, full of fab plants too! Pleased you managed to purchase things you need plus some extras too!
The picture of the cattle grazing is beautiful. Such lush green colours around..

Sadly, we northerners must wait....but I loved your blog, especially the pictures of your beautiful countryside. Its not bad here this morning..I will go out and do a few jobs I think. I am very lucky..only have to look up and there’s beauty all around. :)

Now that does sound like the perfect day out and you must do it again one day soon.
To see such lovely scenery and to see such colour at the garden centre and to get a latte made by someone else was a treat indeed!

Oh my, thank you all for your lovely comments on our GC outing.

As to the cattle in the field,I have just read in our local newspaper an article by the owners of that farm saying they are having to pour away thousands of litres of unwanted milk after a plummet in demand. "The re-opening of cafes, restaurants and other businesses will be a trickle, and the problem is we can't trickle our milk."

Sheila, that's interesting about your Crab Apple tree. We want a yellow fruiting on as OH is colour blind and red fruits are just not visible on a tree to him. We have found a couple of dwarf ones which would suit our small garden. I shall investigate further ...

Shirley, delighted you had such a great day out and lovely for us to share it with you 🙂. We have the same neat water butt, but more than anything I envy you that REAL coffee! x

Oh what a fun set of photos - we have the exact same garden centre - without naming it, I recognise all the signage!

We can go to a GC but I'm not in too much hurry yet, it's very windy today so maybe next week - this 'virtual' trip will do me nicely for now, thank you!

Glad you had a lovely day out,and got what you needed..We aren't going to one yet,as no rush..too many people at the moment,so will pick our time . It does feel good to be able to go out a bit further though,instead of the allowed food shopping trips,so that's a bonus.both our water Butts are the same size as yours,Shirley..one either side of the shed,and very useful they are too..

I'm looking forward to a nice coffee too,really missed being able to do that.Don't think any of ours are doing take away ones :o(..Happy gardening with your new purchases ..:o) x

Sheila, we do have two water butts, side by side and out of sight from the garden but the amount of rain we saw spilling from the polycarbonate roof above the vine made us think of attaching guttering and a downpipe to a slim line butt. This should have been done pre-Lockdown ... :o(

Sunny, this GC used to be part of the Wyevale group but has been purchased by a Sussex company, this being their fourth GC now. Lots of changes, for the better ... :o)

Sandra, there were very few people while we were there, which made it a good visit. Glad to read we're not the only ones to miss real coffee! A couple of places nearby, at the beach end of the shops, are doing take-away coffees now so it seems another beach walk is on the cards soon! :o)

Very envious! Our favourite nursery has been doing deliveries during the Lockdown but, sadly, only within 8 miles of their location - and we're 15! They opened to visitors yesterday but, wisely, strictly following the guidelines. Unfortunately, we're still unable to go anywhere as one of us is in the 'shielding' group! But, you know what? we're so grateful to have a garden to potter about in so I'm not actually complaining!

How glorious to get out and about again, and the sun's shining. Stay safe.

Lovely blog, Shirley, I have so missed my trips to our local GC. Went for a walk at 6,30 yesterday morning . with my daughter down to canal which was lovely. I looked longingly through the GC gates as we passed! Take care.

What a treat Shirley! Just to be able to walk around looking is so refreshing.

Twiggy, I feel so sorry for those folk who have no garden or balcony.

Thanks Siris ... we were very careful whilst out and about yesterday.

Gee, 6.30am sounds a good time to be out and about. Have you noticed the air is clearer without so much traffic? We certainly have! Many more cyclists too.

Stera, it was good for the soul ... :o)

Great you were able to go out to the GC, Shirley!

One close to us (a couple of miles) has opened & my son went along on Friday but the place had such a long Q he turned around & drove back home!

I really enjoyed " sharing" your trip out Shirley, especially to the garden centre! I think I might venture out to ours which is only down the road from here.
The one you went to looks really nice and very well organised.
The countryside near you is lovely and I too love to see cows in the field. It was a good picture even though you were travelling.

Balcony, I think we would have driven off if there had been a long queue!

Rose, so long as you observe the social distancing measures I'm sure you'll be fine! We noticed that all the staff members seemed to be really happy in their work too ... :o)

It is lovely to be permitted to get out to the GC's again, isn't it? Yours looks particularly good and well stocked.
We went to one near us and the place was a shambles. Didn't look like they'd done a thing since the lockdown. A plant graveyard. Very upsetting to think that even the dead things hadn't been cleared away in all that time. they seemed to be relying on the sales of annuals as everything else was smothered in weeds. Astonishing! We wont be returning.
We got our compost elsewhere.

That's a shame ... :o(

Wonderful outing Shirley. We have to wait until the end of May here in Scotland before the garden centres are open.

Thank you Linda ... it will be wonderful for you when the restrictions are lifted.

Lovely blog...thanks for sharing.