The Owl in Flight

This owl occupied a a rectangular sandstone block set within a topiaried cotoneaster in the garden at Orchards; his presence was much less obvious and less striking than it is now.  Our Italian neighbours who are more akin to graceful ladies, cherubs or barely clothed men find this owl a little 'spooky'.  I think he has a drama of his own. 

Struggling for Survival

Geranium nodosum 'Saucy Charlie'

Many of the geraniums I brought from my garden at Orchards struggle to survive in our Italian garden.  The shade that we have is very dry, the soil very thin and stony; and in winter with the sun lower in the sky, the frozen ground in the shadiest areas remain so for weeks at a time.  This pretty geranium was named after my daughter Sorcha.  'Saucy Charlie' was the name given to Sorcha by my mother. It is surviving but only just.

Struggling for Survival

Geranium nodosum 'Saucy Charlie'

Many of the geraniums I brought from my garden at Orchards struggle to survive in our Italian garden.  The shade that we have is very dry, the soil very thin and stony; and in winter with the sun lower in the sky the frozen ground in the shadiest areas remain so for weeks at a time.  This pretty geranium was named after my daughter Sorcha.  'Saucy Charlie' was the name given to Sorcha by my mother. It is surviving but only just.