Three days gallivanting through the Forest of Dean and along the Wye Valley and it had been gobbled up altogether.
Lovely walk, mind you. What’s not to like about walking through a wood? Especially at this time of the year when leaf mold and wet soil conjure up the warm rich aroma of a fruit cake.
The River Wye on the day after the rain.
" data-image-title="Retired to the Greenhouse" data-orig-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" data-medium-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://theanxiousgardener.com/2011/11/02/retired-to-the-greenhouse/retired-to-the-greenhouse-10/" title="Retired to the Greenhouse" alt="" srcset="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=150 150w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=300 300w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=768 768w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg 1600w" class="size-large wp-image-623" data-large-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00461.jpg?w=676" />The River Wye on the day after the rain.
OK, so we had one long, unremitting day of trudging besides the Wye, from Chepstow to Monmouth, in non-stop rain. Sixteen miles of muttering, “*@***#** stupid idea” and “Where’s the bleedin’ Pub?” Rain dripped from our noses and onto the map. Water filled our supposedly waterproof boots and penetrated our supposedly waterproof coats. Glorious views were restricted by hoods and instead we looked at the muddy path before our feet. (I took no photos that day).
Jim leading the way
" data-image-title="Retired to the Greenhouse" data-orig-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" loading="lazy" data-medium-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://theanxiousgardener.com/2011/11/02/retired-to-the-greenhouse/retired-to-the-greenhouse-3/" title="Retired to the Greenhouse" alt="" srcset="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=150 150w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=300 300w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=768 768w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg 1600w" class="size-large wp-image-519" data-large-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_00391.jpg?w=676" />Jim leading the way
It would be churlish though to moan too much when, on the other two days, bright sunlight lit up the fiery magnificence of a late, warm autumn.
The Priory Tulip Tree – right
" data-image-title="Retired to the Greenhouse" data-orig-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" loading="lazy" data-medium-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://theanxiousgardener.com/2011/11/02/retired-to-the-greenhouse/retired-to-the-greenhouse-13/" title="Retired to the Greenhouse" alt="" srcset="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=150 150w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=300 300w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=768 768w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg 1600w" class="size-large wp-image-642" data-large-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0071.jpg?w=676" />The Priory Tulip Tree - right
I’m back at work now and overwhelmed by how much there is to do. The big, beautiful tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipfera) has turned it’s signature yellow and …
Mostly hornbeam leaves on the east lawn.
" data-image-title="Retired to the Greenhouse" data-orig-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":""}" loading="lazy" data-medium-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=300" data-permalink="https://theanxiousgardener.com/2011/11/02/retired-to-the-greenhouse/retired-to-the-greenhouse-5/" title="Retired to the Greenhouse" alt="" srcset="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=1024 1024w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=150 150w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=300 300w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=768 768w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=1440 1440w, https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg 1600w" class="size-large wp-image-548" data-large-file="https://theanxiousgardener.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dsc_0027.jpg?w=676" />Mostly hornbeam leaves on the east lawn.
… pretty much all the lawns are smothered in leaf-fall. There is simply too much to do. Collecting of leaves and transporting out to the compost bins, mowing, cutting back of perennials and more planting. So very much to do.I’ve decided the answer is to ignore it; lock myself in the greenhouse with two pink, potted pelargoniums. I’ll come out again in March. Or April.
