Greenforks » Holidays

Blooming Friday – Christmas

easygardener — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:04:41 +0000

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

Santa on the Christmas tree

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Blooming Friday – Moonlit

easygardener — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:22:45 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday where the moon is casting its light across the clouds and onto the sea below.

These two night views were taken in Greece which we have visited many times over the years.

Kioni on the Greek island of Ithica

Loggos on the Greek island of Paxos

Visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff to see more Blooming Friday contributions.

Bruges gardens by the canal

easygardener — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:14:20 +0000

I have just returned from a trip to Bruges where we enjoyed lots of walks around this beautiful city. The weather was warm and sunny which also helps with the enjoyment. While out walking I realised that I was seeing few private gardens. This is because most houses are either hidden behind high stone walls or are in long terraces with doors that open directly onto the pavement. It’s all walls, closed doors and shaded windows, creating a very strong feeling of privacy.

The only time I saw a garden was when one of the many canals actually backed onto one – even this is rare as most canals are bordered by roads. Eventually I managed to track down a few gardens that could be seen.

Flower garden

Mostly shrubs and trees

Small terrace garden

Small formal garden

A few glimpses into a very private world.

Wordless Wednesday – Bodiam Castle

easygardener — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:36:44 +0000

Bodiam Castle 1385

In costume

For more Wordless Wednesday posts visit here.

Visiting Mona

easygardener — Sat, 07 May 2011 11:00:28 +0000

I have been away for a few days…….can you guess where?

Mona Lisa

: Mona Lisa

: Venus de Milo

Moulin Rouge

Eiffel Tower

Yes it was Paris and there was so much to see that I am hoping to go again next year!

To finish off with a flowery French flourish here is Poppy ‘Ooh La La’ from last year.

Papaver somniferum 'Ooh La La'

Wordless Wednesday – Until next year

easygardener — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:51:22 +0000

Christmas decorations

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Blooming Friday: Horizon

easygardener — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:44:52 +0000

Welcome to Blooming Friday where the theme this week is “Horizon”. I tried to be clever and inventive but I failed.

So, in the middle of this depressing weather I have chosen a horizon from my holiday on the Greek island of Ithica. The view is from our balcony and it certainly chases away my winter blues.

Ithica horizon

For more Blooming Friday posts visit Katarina at Roses and Stuff.

Have a lovely weekend.

Back home and ignoring the garden until tomorrow

easygardener — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:03:36 +0000

We are back home from our holiday on the Greek island of Ithica. It was very relaxing and there was lots of sun. I loved the beautiful view from the balcony of the house we were staying in.

View of the harbour from the balcony

There was even a small swimming pool to keep us cool. Twice a day a flock of Swallows would sweep down and briefly dip themselves into the water before flying off again. Amazing to watch.

The pool

I read a lot of books and we went for walks. There were little churches to look at….

Church

…..and amazing scenery – rarely any other people around.

One of the walks

Special indeed was the walk that ended on a high note – especially on a hot day!

A cold beer!

I am ignoring the garden for the moment. I can see a very tall weed from the window but I am staying calm -until tomorrow!

A Famous Belgian

easygardener — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 09:54:48 +0000

We have been to Belgium for a few days, staying in Brussels. There is lots to see there, including a famous Belgian who is not Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot. I mean of course the Manneken Pis (Flemish for ‘Little man urinating’).

Here he is in all his glory.

The Manneken Pis doing what he does best

Note the nonchalant pose

There is a tradition of dressing him up in a series of costumes. Perhaps they have stopped doing that. We pop into a nearby bar for a drink. But look, what have we here – a crowd has gathered near the Manneken Pis. What can it mean?

A larger crowd has gathered

Well I never!

He has changed into something less comfortable!

The man in black

It shows that fictional vampires are popular all over the world, though I think present day vampires would find that cape very uncool – especially now that it is very, very damp.

And so a whole New Year begins – but something is missing

easygardener — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:48:01 +0000

I am trying hard to emerge from the cocoon of inertia that is the Christmas festivities. Much as I like Christmas I end up with a brain the size of a peanut and as much energy as a wavering candle flame. I blame the dark evenings and too many bright twinkling lights….too much eating and drinking has got nothing to do with it.

We had a laid back kind of holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The cats slept.

Cats doing what they do best

We did the holiday jigsaw, a family tradition. What could be more soothing. Note the cat theme to this post – so clever.

But look. How exasperating is this. 999 pieces out of 1,000.

A missing piece!

I blame the cats who kept lounging among the pieces and knocking them on the floor. Now none of us can pass a piece of furniture without getting down on our hands and knees and looking underneath. I’m sure the rest of 2010 will be much less irritating.

I hope you all have an auspicious New Year and that your gardens flourish just as you planned.

Roll on Spring.