The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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27 December 2010

Christmas Day in the Teme Valley



Despite the miserable, grey and dripping thaw and the brown slushy roads now, our Christmas Day walk in the Teme Valley could not have been more beautiful or more spectacular.  The snow transformed the entire landscape and it was quite magical.  Never have I taken more photos! 

Comments from the coop:
  • Christmas lunch of meal worms & salad much enjoyed
  • Fed up with being confined to barracks by deep snow
  • Egg production down
  • Warm layers' mash for breakfast tomorrow



For even more snowy scenes check out:

22 December 2010

Longer icicles & even deeper snow









Left: Icicles on the greenhouse









Right: Snow in the orchard over a foot deep



Above: The pond with a blanket of snow too deep for my boots!

This is what we returned to following our visit to Sandy!  Even MORE snow!!!


20 December 2010

Even more snow!



Above: PTC Country

Still more snow and heavy frosts!  The girls are remaining snug in the Hennery with frequent de-icing on the water drinker! Amazingly and despite the cold weather and short daylight hours; they continue to lay.  We must be doing something right!  Can't help but take lots of photographs with everything covered in snow and hoar frost!  In fact: I'm taking far too many!

Right: House for Hens, Hen Shelter & The Hennery



18 December 2010

The more it snows............










The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
The more it goes
(Tiddly Pom)
On snowing.

And nobody knows
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
How cold my toes
(Tiddly Pom)
Are growing.




A.A.M.

More snow


No gardening today!  Poor Chris is ill in bed and we have had a second fall of snow.  It really isn't very much here - less than an inch.  Time for lighting fires and wrapping presents!  What a good job Al & Chris placed the reed insulation jacket around the pump in good time this year.

Comments from the coop:
  • Egg production still good.
  • Hennery insulation means they have a snug and dry area out of the snow.
  • Snow means no freedom, no grazing & also no raking up after all their scratching.  Bonus!

07 December 2010

Jack Frost

J. Frost was out with his paintbrush again - taken at 7:35am!