Today Pearl and I made the most of the break in the storms and got stuck into a spot of gardening.
The first thing I did was pot up this beautiful Acer Atropurpureum that I sent off for on a free Gardener's World Magazine offer. I had been planning to buy one anyway for our new garden, as I just adore acers- they must be my very favourite plant. Something about the delicate structure bobbing about in the breeze and the way the leaves turn the most breathtaking crimson really gets me excited.
I do hope this one goes on to flourish into a superb potted tree that we can keep forever, wherever we're living...
I could tell you that the rest of the garden was looking stunning in all its Autumnal glory...
but really, that would be a big fat lie.
It actually looks like this...
As you can see, the grim reality has kicked in. We are going to be leaving our beloved garden behind- the shed has been emptied, the strawberry plants lifted and, most painful of all, the faithful veg box has been cleared.
I've had to harvest my Brussels sprouts rather prematurely- these emerald beauties were ear-marked for Christmas, but I don't really fancy frozen sprouts with my Christmas dinner, so I think they're now crying out to be pan-fried with pancetta... mmmmmm.
So, tonight I'm drowning my sorrows with some margaritas and a little extra help from some of my dad's finest...
Farewell Purl Cottage garden.
You will be sorely missed.
