Back again in England - first post

Well, here I am back again at 'The SE Cottage' in England. I had hoped on posting earlier than now but I have rather suffered from jet lag in the form of such an awful headache which came on this morning that it sent me rushing (well, moving gingerly and slowly actually) to the computer to google "severe headache after flying". Apparently, it is not uncommon which made me feel a little better and I do feel a bit more normal now... well, normal enough to blog so I must be on the mend!

I promised photographs of the garden but I have to report that Spring is very slow this year and although there are signs of things coming to life - shoots and small leaves for example on the rose above around the door there is not much to show as yet!

My willow woven chicken standing guard in front of a terracotta pot where there are tulips showing signs of life - good.

Round stepping stone pavers leading to an old well! Apparently in years gone by (before a water supply to every house) each village used to have several wells where the villagers used to come and collect their water. Presume they used to queue up at my cottage for their weekly supply!

The top of the well - if you lift the lid you can still see all the way down and there is water in there too! A bucket would have been lowered down on a chain by turning the handle on the right.

My favourite terracotta chickens (from Whichford Pottery) - UK bloggers and keen gardeners you would LOVE this place... website - www.whichfordpottery.com - do take a look. I bought my chooks over 15 years ago now but I am pretty sure they still make them. They do a wonderful range of pots and other items for the garden.

So, a quick introduction to The SE Garden..... will post more with other photographs when it springs into life a little later on this month or next !

Tomorrow is my sister's wedding and a family gathering. It will be a small affair but all my immediate family will be there. I am the oldest of four - my other three siblings are coming and their families too - I just cannot wait to see everyone again. The reception after the ceremony is being held at a gorgeous English country house hotel and an afternoon tea is being served (with alcohol too I hasten to add! ) Should be such a fun occasion and I will take plenty of photographs too! We (my mother and my other sister and I) will all be wearing "hatty" things - not sure about nieces but we shall see. Sadly, DDD cannot be there as she is in the middle of one of the busiest weeks in France for skiing being Easter Week... But she is coming back to England next week - I am so happy about that having not seen her now for 5 months.