robertz http://robertz.me.uk copywriter | marketer | journalist | proofreader | actor | gardener posterous.com Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:41:00 -0700 Beautiful bluebells in Ilfracombe http://robertz.me.uk/beautiful-bluebells-in-ilfracombe http://robertz.me.uk/beautiful-bluebells-in-ilfracombe

The bluebells on the north and east sides of Hillsborough, Ilfracombe, North Devon are astounding at the moment.

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To see them:

  • walk from the harbour round to Hillsborough
  • go via the car park by the swimming pool
  • climb the cliff steps from Hele Bay

The best displays are on the north side, which faces the sea. The paths are quite steep, but the views are worth it.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:40:00 -0700 Going for growth http://robertz.me.uk/going-for-growth http://robertz.me.uk/going-for-growth

After our first batch of runner bean seeds failed to germinate (we did use last year's seeds), I bought new seeds and they are just now starting to raise their heads above the compost.

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The way they lift their 'heads' suggests it is a great effort . . .

 

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 The broad beans are also germinating as are marigolds.

The sunflower seedlings look a bit happier than they did several days ago . . .

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Out in the garden itself, the comfrey is just about to burst into flower. The bees love these . . .

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. . . and a small holly seedling, that really looked quite bare in the winter, is really putting on new growth . . .

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It's a marvellous watching everything emerge, stretch and grow in the garden.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:41:00 -0700 12 ducklings born at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe #ndevon http://robertz.me.uk/12-ducklings-born-at-bicclescombe-park-ilfrac http://robertz.me.uk/12-ducklings-born-at-bicclescombe-park-ilfrac

It's been a glorious spring this year, but I don't think anything provides as big a lift as the arrival of ducklings.

This morning, in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe in North Devon, I heard ducks squabbling down in the East Wilder Brook as it passes under a small bridge. I looked over the fence and saw a mother duck and her fleet of ducklings. Unfortunately, there were three male ducks trying to mate with her, explaining the noise as she fought them off.

Some blurred photos, taken with zoom lens while hanging over a fence with two spaniels on leads . . .

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One of the park-keepers said they were born on Sunday. I counted 12. Before I could take any more photos, they swam under the bridge.

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Meanwhile, back on the duck pond, this pair were doing some serious courting and a bit more when they weren't being interrupted by other jealous suitors . . .

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Expect more ducklings!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 16 Apr 2011 07:21:00 -0700 Aphrodisiac qualities of blackcurrants http://robertz.me.uk/aphrodisiac-qualities-of-blackcurrants http://robertz.me.uk/aphrodisiac-qualities-of-blackcurrants

Our blackcurrant bushes certainly seem to have set the ladybirds going . . .

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They're at it everywhere . . .

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Fortunately, we don't take a 'not in my back yard' approach . . .
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. . . as we hope it'll work up their appetite for eating aphids.

Meanwhile, a bee decided to ignore these goings-on by drinking . . . 

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. . . from the apple blossom . . .

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. . . while a robin landed on the fence looking very pleased with itself . . .

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He'd got a takeaway in his beak . . .

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It looked like an insect, but I couldn't tell exactly . . .

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It was certainly eat, drink and be merry in our garden this lunchtime.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sun, 10 Apr 2011 06:23:00 -0700 Ladybirds and bees busy on the blackcurrant bushes http://robertz.me.uk/ladybirds-and-bees-busy-on-the-blackcurrant-b http://robertz.me.uk/ladybirds-and-bees-busy-on-the-blackcurrant-b

This morning I spotted quite a few ladybirds on our two blackcurrant bushes.

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I hope they are feeding off any aphids and pests.

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I can see why they love the blackcurrant bushes as the flowers are wonderfully delicate.

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As well as the ladybirds, there were quite a few beed feeding off the flowers, although they would not keep still enough for me to get a photo so I just snapped the ladybirds.

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I did catch this bee feeding on the heather flowers.

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And just had to snap the bluebells all coming into flower.

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There's so much going on in the garden at this time of year.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:23:00 -0700 Apple blossom opens up this morning http://robertz.me.uk/apple-blossom-opens-up-this-morning http://robertz.me.uk/apple-blossom-opens-up-this-morning

In the garden, our two apple trees change daily . . . 

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This morning the apple blossom opened up . . .

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I hope the number of flowers means we will get lots of fruit this year!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:06:00 -0700 Bluebells and blossom in Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe #ndevon http://robertz.me.uk/bluebells-and-blossom-in-bicclescombe-park-il-0 http://robertz.me.uk/bluebells-and-blossom-in-bicclescombe-park-il-0

I have to take my camera because there is something new every day.

This morning I saw bluebells flowering in Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe, North Devon . . .

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See the full gallery on Posterous
The magnolias are also blooming too in a variety of colours . . .

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It's a wonderful spring for blossom. All the trees are heavy with petals . . .

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See the full gallery on Posterous
All we need now are lots of ducklings on the pond!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:51:00 -0700 In the blink of an eye . . . http://robertz.me.uk/in-the-blink-of-an-eye http://robertz.me.uk/in-the-blink-of-an-eye

It's that time of the year when you have to look now or you'll miss something.

The blossom on apple trees . . .

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. . . and in the park . . .

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The new shoots on a rather sorry-looking holly cutting . . .

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I could say I haven't got time to stop for this, but what I would really be saying is I haven't got time to live.

It's the best time of year.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:26:00 -0700 Sunflower 2011 nursery #twunflowercomp http://robertz.me.uk/sunflower-2011-nursery-twunflowercomp http://robertz.me.uk/sunflower-2011-nursery-twunflowercomp

The race is on . . .

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. . . and six seedlings have germinated in our shed nursery.

Sunflowers are fun to grow and produce seed for birds or to eat.

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So join in the competition and see who can grow the tallest sunflower.

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Follow on twitter at @twunflowercomp and on facebook.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:14:00 -0700 Catch that pigeon now! http://robertz.me.uk/catch-that-pigeon-now http://robertz.me.uk/catch-that-pigeon-now

Well, on camera, anyway.

This pigeon landed in a tree in Bicclescombe Park in Ilfracombe, North Devon, looking very pleased with himself. He had a twig or something similar in his beak, possibly nesting material.

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He seemed to think he could not be seen, but I had my camera . . .

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I think he spotted me and didn't look very pleased . . .

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. . . but he was up in the tree and I was on the ground where no one could reach him.

I took his photo, thanked him, then walked on.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 26 Mar 2011 14:01:00 -0700 It's the time when primroses, the county flower, cover North Devon #ndevon http://robertz.me.uk/its-the-time-when-primroses-the-county-flower http://robertz.me.uk/its-the-time-when-primroses-the-county-flower

The primrose, Devon's county flower, is in bloom across North Devon, in gardens, on lawns and in hedgerows.

It's such a bright, delicate flower and so uplifting.

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It makes a drive down the lanes even better than usual . . .

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. . . and we're lucky to have a few plants in our garden too.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Thu, 24 Mar 2011 02:22:00 -0700 New in the garden today . . . http://robertz.me.uk/new-in-the-garden-today http://robertz.me.uk/new-in-the-garden-today

Our first sunflower seedling has woken up on this glorious spring morning, although still has its hat on . . .

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We also have too tiny tomato seedlings.

The accidental nectarine seedling is also now established in it pot and is growing fast . . .

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Snowdrops are lasting well too . . .

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:49:00 -0700 Growth in the garden http://robertz.me.uk/growth-in-the-garden http://robertz.me.uk/growth-in-the-garden

Not a day goes by without some new development.

The daffodils are now in full bloom . . .

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. . . a shy primrose peeps out from a heather . . .

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. . . the camellias produce a superb display . . .

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What more could you want?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 19 Mar 2011 05:49:00 -0700 Dazzling daffodil display at Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe #ndevon http://robertz.me.uk/dazzling-daffodil-display-at-bicclecsombe-par http://robertz.me.uk/dazzling-daffodil-display-at-bicclecsombe-par

What a bright, sunny morning and so clear!

The daffodils in Bicclescombe Park just get better each day and I couldn't resist taking a few close-up photos.

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There's nothing more full of life to bring us cheer!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:45:00 -0700 Treasures from the shed – part 2 http://robertz.me.uk/treasures-from-the-shed-part-2 http://robertz.me.uk/treasures-from-the-shed-part-2

We also accidentally woke up this chap . . .

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. . . a peacock butterfly.

He did not seem to happy to be woken up and 'buzzed' at us by rubbing his wings together.

What to do? We had removed his winter sleeping quarters.

Now you see him . . .

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Now you don't . . .

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We moved him outside into the sun on to a honeysuckle box hedge . . .

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. . . where he woke up and then flew away.

Hopefully, it's mild enough here in Ilfracombe, North Devon for him to survive. Apparently, they live for up to a year.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sun, 13 Mar 2011 08:36:00 -0700 Treasures from the shed – part 1 http://robertz.me.uk/treasures-from-the-shed-part-1 http://robertz.me.uk/treasures-from-the-shed-part-1

Clearing out the tomato trough in the shed, I pulled up this weed . . .

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. . . and found the root connected to a seed which had fallen out of a fruit stone. It's either an apricot or nectarine stone which must have found its way into our compost heap and then got transferred to the trough for growing tomatoes. I hurriedly potted it.

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If this seedling grows, will it need a second plant for pollination to produce fruit?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 12 Mar 2011 13:50:00 -0800 A bracing walk . . . http://robertz.me.uk/a-bracing-walk http://robertz.me.uk/a-bracing-walk

. . . along the beach. Nothing quite like it. Today we walked along Woolacombe Beach to Putsborough and had a welcome cup of tea at the beach hut there, admiring the views . . .

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. . . then climbed among the rock pools. I love the pinks, purples and greens of the rocks and stones . . .

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Wonderful for the few of us on the beach enjoying the sea this afternoon . . . 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:21:00 -0800 Colour splashes across Bicclescombe Park, Ilfracombe http://robertz.me.uk/colour-splashes-across-bicclescombe-park-ilfr http://robertz.me.uk/colour-splashes-across-bicclescombe-park-ilfr

It feels and looks like spring in the park as everything wakes up.

The daffodils are blazing across the grassy banks . . .

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. . . although the snowdrops are a little more subtle . . .

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Even a robin sits in a magnolia tree to survey the park . . .
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. . . and the ducks are pairing up and getting frisky.

Spring's arriving.

Just added some blossom . . .

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Sat, 05 Mar 2011 05:50:00 -0800 New shoots http://robertz.me.uk/new-shoots http://robertz.me.uk/new-shoots

Pussy willow is bursting out again. It amazes me every year.

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And other trees are producing leaves and shoots too.

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Something new appears every day at this time of year.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz Mon, 28 Feb 2011 01:40:00 -0800 Beautiful start to a Monday morning http://robertz.me.uk/beautiful-start-to-a-monday-morning http://robertz.me.uk/beautiful-start-to-a-monday-morning

I couldn't have asked for a lovelier morning.

At Bicclescombe Park Ilfracombe, North Devon, the sun seemed to want to play tennis . . .

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. . . while a sleepy pigeon blinked in the bright morning light.

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The trees are blushing with blossom . . .

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. . . and the Wilder Brook in full flow.

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In the distance, sheep are grazing on the Torrs . . .

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. . . while the sun lit up the Round House on the Cairn.

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What a great way to start the week!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1044572/2011-02-16-robertz-w-300.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4aASO690ZFct Robert Zarywacz robertz Robert Zarywacz