A few days ago I was tickling around in the borders when I noticed that something had caught my gardening companions attention. Both Hecate and Mili were transfixed by something at the upper end of the garden. Sat side by side they were not for exploring anymore closely but thy were clearly keeping watch with some intent.
Naturally, this peaked my curiosity too. First thoughts were it must be a bandit alert, another feline from a neighbouring garden. But not this time. Second thoughts a squirrel, there is one grey who in particular likes to wind up Mili. But no.
It was, most unusually for the mid afternoon, a bold pair of deer who decided to stop by for a snack. They were picking off some of the few blackberries that are still left.
Of course knowing that they were now being watched they silently slipped away into the undergrowth behind the top boundary of the garden. Their ability to merge into the background helps them thrive in the valley and I suspect the population is blossoming. It is a pity the same cannot be said for the aforementioned borders. They are in full colour the the blooms are looking a bit beaten down by the unseasonably wet August rains.
Top tip: even though the weather might be somewhat inclement try to keep on top of the deadheading. The more fastidious you are the more blooms you will have when the summer sunshine returns. The sweet peas must also be picked regularly or they will set seed and your display will be over weeks before it should be.
