Christmas Cometh

What a terrible week it has been for Cumbria with the extensive flooding in many areas of the county. The river Eden burst its banks in many places including at Lazonby.

The flood water rose so high that part of the bridge's supporting wall was washed away

The power of the water has to be respected.

Look at the height of the flotsam and jetsam

A landslip in a field caused by the flooding.

Mind the gap

On a recent visit to London I visited the iconic Liberty's store. The shop is located in Regent Street and the building is unique.

Stunning

They had on display some amazing paper flowers made from Liberty fabric designs. 

So beautiful

A fushia.

What an lovely creation

Pretty in pink.

Pink power

In the shop were dazzling chandeliers.

It reminds me of a flappers gown

Circles of light

A decorative stained glass window.

Lovely Autumnal colours

London has some lovely Christmas themed windows.

Balloons in a box.

Surprise, surprise

The Statue of Liberty.

Taking a liberty

The world goes round and round.

Globe dancer

This polar bear is a long way from home.

Bear with me

I saw this shoe shop in Rugby.

A boot for a giant

Cobbler, cobbler mend my shoe.

No job too small or too large

"A new suit Sir? Just let me take a few vital statistics."

Does Sir want a top hat to go with the tails?

Britain in Bloom

On Monday the Artful Garden had a visit from the Britain in Bloom judges. They very much enjoyed all the artwork and had their photos taken amongst the scarecrows pretending to be scarecrows themselves. Luckily the weather stayed dry as we have had two very hot days this week and we are now back to rain.

I made some new artwork for the visit. Large paper flowers. I perfected the design from when I made them before for Cumbria in Bloom. It is difficult to keep the flower shape when competing with the rain.

Flower power greets you as approach Kirkoswald

I made a variety of flowers in plant pots to hang from the flower tree.

Crazy Maisie basking in the sun next to the flower tree

Flowers made from garden wire, string, straws, milk bottle tops and pom poms.

Daisy wireisus

Made from silver wire, straws and bottle caps.

Daisy metalisus

A wooden birdhouse which I have designed and made.

Home alone

A flock of hens arrived in the garden. Two French inspired hessian hens, a rare breed that I have recently made.

Now let's get the pecking order established

Oh la la I have just flown in from the Pyrenees

A straw hen arrived and took up residence next to the willow pheasant.

Clucking good

Bluebells are just appearing in the hedgerows.

Dainty blue bells

The purple vetch looks very pretty.

A lovely mix of colours

The verges are pink with rosebay willowherb.

Pink fronds

Purple wild scabious floats in the breeze.

Purple pom poms

I have pink and blue cornflowers growing in the wildflower bed in the orchard.

I love the colour and shape of cornflowers

A sign of summer meadows

The white daisies are thriving.

Golden button centres

It has been a good year for poppies. Their fragility and colour is always so appealing.

Vibrant

My wild flowers are growing well in the allotment wheelbarrow.

A riot of colour

I have picked my first lot of runner beans. There should be plenty more to follow that I can make into Runner Bean Pickle. 

Delicious