The past few weeks have been dull and dreary, following an early burst of summertime. I'm desperately hoping that we will have more Summer, especially for The Boy's birthday in a fortnight. I am panicking about the weather, it makes a change from panicking about the patio furniture and tableware. However, we're lucky because generally the weather in June is good and we have a lovely back-garden in which we can have many a party. No fuss and nonsense in soft-play centres for us, not until I discover the reason why everyone goes there (I suspect that it's because hosting a party is expensive and messy, I'm yet to find this out).
Tara is also obviously feeling the need to celebrate our own little patches of turf or bark, patio or railway sleepers.
I thought it was time we give our Gallery a bit of colour. A bit of oomph. I thought it was time we got out into the fresh air and enjoyed the spring sunshine (well, certainly here in the UK) and take in lungfuls of fresh air. And I thought it was time we showed the world just how beautiful the simplest of things can be. Who needs lots of fancy when you can step into your back garden and discover ladybirds, the most gorgeous blooms, vibrant trees and all manner of adventures?
So, this week's theme is: My Backyard.
I love my garden, it is my own little patch of heaven and one of the reasons that we bought this house. It's an ex-council house and, by and large, they are known for having decent sized, rectangular gardens. Which it is.
70 foot long by 30 foot wide.
When we bought the house, the garden was much the same as every other garden in the neighbourhood; a concrete path to a concrete washing-line post, grass and a hedge. Now, it is the only garden on either side for 5 or 6 gardens (that's as far as I can see out of the back bedroom window) that is anything but that.
This is the before and preparation.
I'm a little OCD about things, especially in my garden and so I planned the decoration of my new blank canvas and this is what the result was. Yes, if I remember correctly, it is drawn to scale.
Everything panned out almost as I wanted it to, although we've made a few adjustments to it over the last year in order to create more play space for The Boy. Also having been to The Getty Centre in Los Angeles and been inspired by the beautiful gardens there, my water feature changed somewhat.
This is the picture that I posted last week in my 365 to show what my garden looks like now.
And these are some of the reasons why I love my backyard.
— Now pop over and see the other entries using this nifty little gizmo.
Wow! what an amazing garden! I love the ladybird photos too, and the scale drawing! x
how lucky are you? what a fab garden. Some lovely, lovely photos too. Hope the weather stays good for you.
Top marks on a great entry!! Check your drawing out! Maybe you should have been a landscape gardener? Love your photos showing why you love your garden 🙂 xx
Brilliant compilation of pics. Really effective and creative. It's a great post. Your garden looks fantastic
That's lovely…a great space for The Boy!!
Wow! Totally gorgeous! I love it! x
great photos, you have put so much planning into your garden
oh your garden is just so lovely! Eventually I will get my garden looking as nice!
Love that you actually had the dedication to complete the project rather than spending 6 months dreaming and planning and then doing nothing at all like me. Lovely.
Wow what a fab garden- you lucky thing. I am hoping mine will be as nice as that one day…I am working on it! x
Wow, lovely garden. I love the scale drawing and the ladybirds! Lucky Boy!
Wow, what more can I say, your garden is beautiful!
That's a great garden & some great pics. I wish we had a bigger garden & more greenery in ours.
x
if ever you feel the need for a new challenge then let me know! Big garden. Looks like crap. Yours is lovely.
Wow, how fantastic! Clever clever you xxx
Wow. We are just about to redo our garden, ever thought about going into business? I have sketches, but to actually turn them into real garden, hmmm!
beautiful garden and inspiring post.
Owww, I love your garden! And wonderful post and your take on it. xoxo
Every time I read something else about you I find out about another talent you have! Love it and this post. Beautiful. x
Wow what a fantastic garden. I'm not remotely green figured (or particularly outdoors-y at the best of times) but if I had a garden like this I'd be in it all the time! x
I'm very jealous of your garden Hun! Looks amazing!! X
I've always admired your garden from previous posts of The Boy playing out there.
Lovely to be able to see the progress and the HUGE amount of work you've put into it. Totally worth it, its beautiful.
Your ladybird picture is beautiful, I am looking forward to getting in my back garden now..x
A lovely place to escape and play x Beautifully photographed too x
Totally superb, I love it! Great photographs too 🙂
Awesome garden. Love the bunting. Fingers crossed for the best summer ever!
Wow, what a lovely collection of photos. Really shows the joy of your garden!