2019: A Year in a Jar and at rose cottage

It's too hot to be outside now so I am in the office thankful for air conditioning, surrounded of course by the dogs.  Despite 25% of our normal rainfall so far, our bees and trees are still surviving for which we are most grateful. Leaves and flowers are much reduced but still there - nature always does its best.  We will certainly cherish the easier and more plentiful times to come.

And, we have not let the grass grow under our feet this year - wot grass! - so here are some changes.  Pictures on the left are 2018; right, 2019.
(1) Raised veg beds now covered from hail - not entirely, so that the bees can visit.
(2) The 'West orchard' covered from birds and mulched to help retain water and give the trees a more forest floor environment.  I am so thankful for consultants Kim and Angus Deans' patient help, Mr Bendy's steel bending, Peter our perpetual builder's building skills and my husband John who quietly gets on and makes these visions happen.

Like this self-sown sunflower, we're a bit rough around the edges after the winds and dust of late, but we still lift our faces to the sun every morning and say 'good morning' to the bees.  They are still busy collecting honey from the florals and mixed boxes that strive to still flower.

Have had lovely help and support from Claude's team at Best Nursery at the top of Inverell.  Not only a lovely mob, they know their trees and have really helped us select fruit trees that are already bearing fruit at barely 4 years old!

Finally, we have a few trees ready to plant for 2020 currently biding their time in our nursery under Uncle Walter's shady care.  I wonder what 2020 will bring, rain would be a great start! xxx