With a nice early start we arrived at the gardens in plenty of time and two swans flew over us. They make a lot of noise when they fly. I imagine that it’s the noise of air and feathers meeting, though it does sound a bit like they are gasping for air.
I can still see them now, two glistening white swans silhouetted against a bright blue sky. You will have to imagine it because my camera was in my pocket at the time and I was not quick enough to get the shot.
The new polytunnel is looking good, though I’m sure the birds will soon have a go at it, as they did with the other one.
We remarked on the difference between the gardens now and the state of them when Julia took over. They now have two newly covered tunnels, piles of woodchip, good paths, better winter colour and a larger, more involved, group of users. She has more plans too, so let’s see how things develop over the next year or two.
She took this picture of the grape vine in the old tunnel. They don’t get many grapes but the autumn colour is always good.
Back at the shop I posted two coin sets on eBay and carried on with the Edward VIII collection. He reigned for 326 days. There have been seven monarchs who reigned for a shorter time than he did. Any guesses?
Here they are.
Harold II – 282 days – killed at Hastings
Edmund II (Ironside) – 221 days – worn out after five battles with Danes
Empress Matilda (or Maud) – 208 days – coronation prevented by the London mob
Edward V – 78 days – one of the Princes in the Tower
Edgar II – The Aetheling – 63 days – proclaimed King after Harold II – never reigned
Sweyn Forkbeard – 40 days – invaded England, became King, died.
Jane Grey – 9 days – if we’d kept her we might never have merged with Scotland.
Julia just shouted me through – chicken and roast vegetables tonight. On balance, I prefer chicken and roast vegetables to blogging.
No swans in Maine, at least not that I have seen. I would be beside myself with joy if I saw two fly overhead. Lovely description, Quercus.
No swans? What sort of place has no swans? Hummingbirds and Cardinals are all very well, but what does your Royal Family eat at banquets?
Too cold for them here, I suppose. And no royal families in Maine. 😉
They have swans in Russia, and it’s known to be a bit nippy there. I’ve been checking swans and you just seem to be unlucky in being a bit of the world all species seem to avoid.
The lack of Royal Family is not an insurmountable obstacle as we have a number of spares available including Franz, Duke of Bavaria.
All the details are here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz,_Duke_of_Bavaria
He’s not interested in Britain, but the lobster rolls might persuade him to take on Maine. Despite the lack of swans.
Oh, too funny! A good way to start a frosty Monday morning.
Thank you. 🙂
An interesting list!
Fascinating list of shortlevity. I, too like the Midland expression. Have you ever noticed the similarity between Newark and Cockney vowels?
I’m afraid that one passed me by – I will listen in next time I go to Newark.
Shaat
🙂
“For God’s sake, let us sit upon the ground. And tell sad stories of the death of kings”,,,,you and Shakespeare are a cheery pair.
😉 Most kings are better when dead. I did do a series on dead almost kings a while ago, using that excellent quote.
You are a man of great erudition.
I am, it is true, a man of great erudition. Unfortunately it is concentrated in some very small areas, which tends to exaggerate the picture. 🙂
You create a lovely image of the swans and yes, good food is a great respite from blogging!
Thank you. 🙂
Wow – it sounds like Julia is working some magic. It really does take years – every year I think “this is the best year ever!” and it always is – till the next year.
“shouted me through” is another lovely expression I had never heard.