No shortage of stone

Recently we've seen the prettiest frozen goose feathers gently drifting down from the sky which have magically transformed the garden for a few hours before melting away to leave us with unwelcome muddy puddles.

These stone steps winding their way up from the drive to our back door make a pretty picture in the snow but the white blanket hides the stone wall alongside that has been badly in need of repair for some time. My husband is impatient to get on with this job as he enjoys building walls and in this mountainous region we are never short of suitable stone.

Today he got just the right weather window and made a start.

In no time at all he'd removed the rickety old wall and had set about digging foundations for a new one. At the bottom left hand corner of the picture you can see natural rock. This will give you some idea of just how shallow our soil can be here.

Hubby does a quick survey of the work done whilst I point out the plants that are just beginning to show signs of growth (a gentle hint for him to take care where he is thrusting his spade). Daffodils, foxglove, saxifrage (we know it as London Pride), valerian, lysimachia, and some rogue ferns that pop up in any available spot. Many plants won't tolerate the north facing aspect of this little bed but needless to say I have a few planting plans for the area once work is finished!

At the bottom of the steps we look back towards the house. This single story extension was done in 1994 and has given us a very useful computer room/office and a utility room.

The new extension adjoins the kitchen which is in the main house. You can see the kitchen window with the red bird feeder hanging in front of it.

There is a long 'crazy paving' stone path down this side of the house. Made from local slate, it gets a coating of algae over the winter and is therefore very slippery when damp. My husband attacked the algae with the pressure washer last week which helped but you still have to take care when walking on the path in wet weather.

 At the end of this path you reach the terrace which overlooks the lawn. Across the lawn another path takes you to a long flight of stone steps that winds down to the bottom of the garden; but I'll leave that for another day. Meanwhile birds are merrily chirping in the trees and are obviously confident that spring is on the way. I wish it would hurry along!

Comments

[The Magic Onions]

Your place is beautiful... I have enjoyed your photos and words... thanks for sharing.

[Martha]

Your Spring is a couple weeks ahead of ours...the Daffodils here are just beginning to peek out of the ground.
Thanks so much for the garden tour. I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

[Cathy Santarsiero]

Eli! Your terrace and all of the stone throughout is simply lovely!

[Redwood House]

Hi Eli your garden is a delight and looks very interesting I would love to wander around see all the new little shoots and plants peeping through the earth, spring is just the best of times in the garden don't you think.
The new wall sounds lovely it is nice to have steps in a garden the lead you to another little area of interest.
I know what you mean about slippery paths we have a path of flag stones around the house and they can get very slippy too, especially with wellies on...
I have stared the garden now so am starting to feel in control but still a way to go yet...
Hope the weather keeps up for the wall building...
Jan

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

Oh my, look at all that snow! Well, I am glad it cleared up so your husband could work on the wall. Your home is so beautiful and I love the pretty stone path and terrace. You have an incredibly beautiful garden! I look forward to seeing all your pretty flowers in bloom! I am so happy spring it on its way for you! Enjoy the chirping of the sweet birds! Thank you for sharing your lovely home!
Love, Paula

[Rhondi]

Hi Eli
All the stone looks wonderful and how fortunate that you have a husband who likes to do things in the garden.
Hugs, Rhondi

[Maggie]

What a gorgeous view! I love the stone path!