The swallows are back. So are the blackbirds. Maybe it is that above all else that proves seasonal change is, perversely, a constant. The Terrier and I walked along the beach last Monday morning and a flock of five swallows swooped and darted close to the sand, pert and teasing, resting on dessicated timbers and logs and then taking peripatetic flight again.
Here, the robins return in spring, and the osprey, along with many of our migratory species. But, the humble robin, a bird of which few take notice, tells me spring has spring. And, in fall, it is the starling. European imports that sail in great murmurations across the sky. Again, not a magnificent bird, but a predictable indicator.
Did you meet the Roberts? They sound like lovely people.
Thank you for the seasonal check-in, Prue, and congratulations on The Red Thread. Thrilling! 🎈
Thank you, Elizabeth - I love hearing of nature from other parts of the globe. I think that's why I love Tom Ryan's pieces - he has the most astonishing experiences with wildlife. His dogs are beyond gentle and all 3, (Tom, Sam and Em) sit and watch with such peace and calm.
In asnwer to your question about the Roberts, yes - we met and spoke with Mrs. Roberts. Mr. Roberts had died not long before but he was an upright, slim and very tall military figure who would stride solitary through the coastal village. I knew him from when I was a youngster.
For Mrs. Roberts, who was going in a retirement home, it was very important that her house and garden went to people who would love it. I had loved her white house with its green roof forever and when my husband saw the for- sale sign go up one evening, there was no question - we had spoken to Mrs. Roberts and we owned the house by lunchtime the next day.
When I say she bequeathed me her life - there was the garden, the framemwork of which we have barely changed. We've added plants but it is still her garden. Our big trees are the Roberts' vision and the orchard their choices. Slowly climate change has killed many of the 28 apples and pears but we are nurturing what is left and adding in all sorts of trees to create a micro-climate.
She left the house as walk-in, walk-out, so we still use her small free-standing wardrobe and chest of drawers, all her substantial Cornishware, her cast-iron casseroles from Sweden - so many things. My daughter still has her duck-down Scandi doonas with their Swedish blue and white floral covers. I have lengths of her upholstery fabrics folded in my linen cupboard in the city. There are packs of cards, even a picture.
I love that we still have that history in the house. I'm quite sentimental, it seems...
Prue, with an early-morning start on a misty-moisty autumn day on which the sky was still dark when I opened the curtains, this beautiful post about spring springing so wonderfully in Tasmania has given me such a boost! Thank you.
The story of how you inherited the garden is beautiful. Where it comes to a garden's identity, continuity is as important as any new-generation planting!
Such great links to check out, too - you give us such treasures to explore. Grateful and honoured that you've included my own - thank you.
Isn't it lovely though, having alternate seasons - your end and my end, which we can enjoy?
Our autumns in Tasmania are perhaps a little more marked than the other states but even so, compared to the Northern Hemisphere, much shorter. So I have much to enjoy from posts north of the equator.
I have to say that when I garden here at the cottage, I often think Mrs. Roberts might just be here in spirit. I hope she'd approve, I think she does. We inherited the Roberts' huge veggie garden as well, (which we had to reduce by a 1/4 for expediency at the time. But we cherish what we have. It feeds us most of the year, along with the orchard and berry house. We certainly give thanks. XXXX
Thank you for that lovely peaceful interlude. It's autumnal sunshine here with misty morning starts and a stillness in the air. I love that book The Dalai Lamas Cat! I did not know the author was on here, thank you for sharing that. 🙏
Our swallows have finally arrived! There was a flurry of them on my morning walk this morning. I hadn’t yet seen them this season, and now reading this, I can see that they must be bookmarks in the seasons. How wonderful. (I live in ‘cold climate country’ up near Canberra.)
I gather you’re in Hobart? My grandmother moved there at the age of 80 and lived there for 18 years until her death. We visited her three or four times every year, so I got the opportunity to really appreciate the place. I can tell I’m going to very much enjoy your stories. Thanks so much dear Prue.
Here, the robins return in spring, and the osprey, along with many of our migratory species. But, the humble robin, a bird of which few take notice, tells me spring has spring. And, in fall, it is the starling. European imports that sail in great murmurations across the sky. Again, not a magnificent bird, but a predictable indicator.
Did you meet the Roberts? They sound like lovely people.
Thank you for the seasonal check-in, Prue, and congratulations on The Red Thread. Thrilling! 🎈
Thank you, Elizabeth - I love hearing of nature from other parts of the globe. I think that's why I love Tom Ryan's pieces - he has the most astonishing experiences with wildlife. His dogs are beyond gentle and all 3, (Tom, Sam and Em) sit and watch with such peace and calm.
In asnwer to your question about the Roberts, yes - we met and spoke with Mrs. Roberts. Mr. Roberts had died not long before but he was an upright, slim and very tall military figure who would stride solitary through the coastal village. I knew him from when I was a youngster.
For Mrs. Roberts, who was going in a retirement home, it was very important that her house and garden went to people who would love it. I had loved her white house with its green roof forever and when my husband saw the for- sale sign go up one evening, there was no question - we had spoken to Mrs. Roberts and we owned the house by lunchtime the next day.
When I say she bequeathed me her life - there was the garden, the framemwork of which we have barely changed. We've added plants but it is still her garden. Our big trees are the Roberts' vision and the orchard their choices. Slowly climate change has killed many of the 28 apples and pears but we are nurturing what is left and adding in all sorts of trees to create a micro-climate.
She left the house as walk-in, walk-out, so we still use her small free-standing wardrobe and chest of drawers, all her substantial Cornishware, her cast-iron casseroles from Sweden - so many things. My daughter still has her duck-down Scandi doonas with their Swedish blue and white floral covers. I have lengths of her upholstery fabrics folded in my linen cupboard in the city. There are packs of cards, even a picture.
I love that we still have that history in the house. I'm quite sentimental, it seems...
So beautiful! Sigh...
Prue, with an early-morning start on a misty-moisty autumn day on which the sky was still dark when I opened the curtains, this beautiful post about spring springing so wonderfully in Tasmania has given me such a boost! Thank you.
The story of how you inherited the garden is beautiful. Where it comes to a garden's identity, continuity is as important as any new-generation planting!
Such great links to check out, too - you give us such treasures to explore. Grateful and honoured that you've included my own - thank you.
😘
Isn't it lovely though, having alternate seasons - your end and my end, which we can enjoy?
Our autumns in Tasmania are perhaps a little more marked than the other states but even so, compared to the Northern Hemisphere, much shorter. So I have much to enjoy from posts north of the equator.
I have to say that when I garden here at the cottage, I often think Mrs. Roberts might just be here in spirit. I hope she'd approve, I think she does. We inherited the Roberts' huge veggie garden as well, (which we had to reduce by a 1/4 for expediency at the time. But we cherish what we have. It feeds us most of the year, along with the orchard and berry house. We certainly give thanks. XXXX
It's lovely, yes, to be enjoying a second spring along with you, Prue! 😘
Mrs Roberts would certainly approve of her former garden now, I'm absolutely sure of it. She left it in very good hands. 🌱
Beautiful. Congrats on the fab reviews!
Thank you!!!!
Thank you for that lovely peaceful interlude. It's autumnal sunshine here with misty morning starts and a stillness in the air. I love that book The Dalai Lamas Cat! I did not know the author was on here, thank you for sharing that. 🙏
You're absolutely welcome, Louise. And thank you for your kind words.
David Michie's Substack is a gift. I'm sure you will you enjoy it. Apart from anything, His Holiness's Cat just has this way...
I know it's brilliant isn't it!
Our swallows have finally arrived! There was a flurry of them on my morning walk this morning. I hadn’t yet seen them this season, and now reading this, I can see that they must be bookmarks in the seasons. How wonderful. (I live in ‘cold climate country’ up near Canberra.)
I gather you’re in Hobart? My grandmother moved there at the age of 80 and lived there for 18 years until her death. We visited her three or four times every year, so I got the opportunity to really appreciate the place. I can tell I’m going to very much enjoy your stories. Thanks so much dear Prue.